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Location:
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Caribbean, two island groups in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of The Bahamas, north of Haiti
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Geographic coordinates:
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21 45 N, 71 35 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: 430 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 430 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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2.5 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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389 km
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
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Climate:
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tropical; marine; moderated by trade winds; sunny and relatively dry
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Terrain:
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low, flat limestone; extensive marshes and mangrove swamps
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Blue Hills 49 m
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Natural resources:
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spiny lobster, conch
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Land use:
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arable land: 2.33%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 97.67% (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km
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Natural hazards:
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frequent hurricanes
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Environment - current issues:
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limited natural fresh water resources, private cisterns collect rainwater
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Geography - note:
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about 40 islands (eight inhabited)
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