Geography: Cuba is the largest Caribbean
island, about the size of England, and the most westerly
of the Greater Antilles group, lying 145km (90 miles) south
of Florida. A quarter of the country is fairly mountainous.
West of Havana is the narrow Sierra de los Organos, rising
to 750m (2461ft) and containing the Guaniguanicos hills
in the west. South of the Sierra is a narrow strip of 2320
sq km (860 sq miles) where the finest Cuban tobacco is grown.
The Trinidad Mountains, starting in the centre, rise to
1100m (3609ft) in the east. Encircling the port of Santiago
are the rugged mountains of the Sierra Maestra. A quarter
of the island is covered with mountain forests of pine and
mahogany.
Location: Caribbean, island between the
Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Florida
The
Cuban archipelago comprises a surface area of 110, 992 km²
and is situated in the westernmost part of the insular Caribbean,
at the entrance of the Gulf of Mexico.
More
than 4000 keys and islets form part of the Cuban island,
including the special municipality Isle of Youth (Isla de
la Juventud), with a surface area of 2200 km². Also
known as the key to the Gulf, Cuba is the largest of the
West Indies and one of the largest in the world.
Cuba
has more than 300 natural beaches of fine white sand and
crystal clear waters. The most famous of these is Varadero;
however, there are others to the east of the capital city
in Holguín and Cayo Largo del Sur, as well as in
the northern keys of Ciego de Ávila and Villa Clara.
Three
mountain ranges, two long regions of savanna and numerous
valleys known worldwide like Viñales, Yumurí
and Los Ingenios go all through the Cuban island. Waterfalls
and cascades in beautiful rivers like Hanabanilla keep charming
nature lovers.
The
fact that Cuba is an island and its location under the Tropic
of Cancer favors a nice subtropical moderate climate, prevailing
warm temperatures. There is an average number of 330 days
of sun a year, and two seasons rule: the rain season (May
to October) and the dry season (November to April). The
average temperature is 25, 5°C (77° F) and water
temperature is 25°C.
Time
Zone Cuba is ruled by Greenwich meridian. The summer
time is established from May to October to make good use
of daylight.
Geographic coordinates: 21 30 N, 80 00
W
Map
references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total:
110,860 sq km
land: 110,860 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area—comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
Land
boundaries:
total: 29 km
border countries: US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 29 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and thus
remains part of Cuba
Coastline:
3,735 km
Maritime
claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November
to April); rainy season (May to October)
Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains
in the southeast
Elevation
extremes:
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 2,005 m
Natural
resources: cobalt, nickel, iron ore, copper, manganese,
salt, timber, silica, petroleum
Land
use:
arable land: 24%
permanent crops: 7%
permanent pastures: 27%
forests and woodland: 24%
other: 18% (1993 est.)
Irrigated
land: 9,100 sq km (1993 est.)
Natural
hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes
from August to October (in general, the country averages
about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common
Environment—current
issues: pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens
wildlife populations; deforestation
Environment—international
agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification,
Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone
Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol,
Marine Life Conservation
Geography—note:
largest country in Caribbean.
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