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Location:
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Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 53 N, 60 68 W
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Map references:
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central america and the caribbean
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Area:
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total: 616 sq km
water: 10 sq km
land: 606 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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3.5 times the size of Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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158 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
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Climate:
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tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to April, rainy season from May to August
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Terrain:
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volcanic and mountainous with some broad, fertile valleys
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Mount Gimie 950 m
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Natural resources:
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forests, sandy beaches, minerals (pumice), mineral springs, geothermal potential
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Land use:
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arable land: 6.56%
permanent crops: 22.95%
other: 70.49% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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30 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes and volcanic activity
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Environment - current issues:
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deforestation; soil erosion, particularly in the northern region
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
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Geography - note:
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the twin Pitons (Gros Piton and Petit Piton), striking cone-shaped peaks south of Soufriere, are one of the scenic natural highlights of the Caribbean
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