GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic
Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates: 18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total area: 352 sq km
land area: 349 sq km
comparative area: twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 188 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds,
relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation;
rainy season May to November
Terrain: mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little
level land
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources: sun, sand, sea, surf
Land use:
arable land: 15%
permanent crops: 6%
meadows and pastures: 26%
forest and woodland: 6%
other: 47%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: lack of natural freshwater resources
natural hazards: rarely affected by hurricanes; frequent
and severe droughts, floods, and earthquakes
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: important location along the Anegada Passage
- a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one
of the best natural, deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
