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Location:
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Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and North Atlantic Ocean, north of Trinidad and Tobago
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 15 N, 61 12 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: 389 sq km (Saint Vincent 344 sq km)
water: 0 sq km
land: 389 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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twice 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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84 km
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Maritime claims:
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territorial sea: 12 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
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Climate:
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tropical; little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season (May to November)
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Terrain:
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volcanic, mountainous
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Soufriere 1,234 m
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Natural resources:
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hydropower, cropland
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Land use:
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arable land: 17.95%
permanent crops: 17.95%
other: 64.1% (2001)
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Irrigated land:
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10 sq km (1998 est.)
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Natural hazards:
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hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat
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Environment - current issues:
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pollution of coastal waters and shorelines from discharges by pleasure yachts and other effluents; in some areas, pollution is severe enough to make swimming prohibitive
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol
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Geography - note:
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the administration of the islands of the Grenadines group is divided between Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Grenada; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is comprised of 32 islands and cays
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