Cuba Geography Overview

Cuba, the largest nation in the Caribbean, offers a diverse and intriguing geographical landscape. Covering a total area of 110,860 square kilometers, it is slightly smaller than the state of Pennsylvania. The island is situated strategically between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 150 kilometers south of Key West, Florida. Cuba's terrain is predominantly flat with gently rolling plains, although the southeast features rugged hills and mountainous regions, with Pico Turquino standing as the highest point at 1,974 meters. The climate is tropical, influenced by trade winds, with a dry period from November to April and a wet season from May to October. Notably, the nation is prone to natural hazards such as hurricanes and droughts, particularly affecting its eastern coastline. As for land use, Cuba is rich in agricultural land, covering 61.7% of the country, and boasts significant natural resources, including cobalt, nickel, and arable land. The nation's maritime claims extend to an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles, emphasizing its strategic maritime position.

Area

land

109,820 sq km

water

1,040 sq km

total

110,860 sq km

Climate

tropical climate; influenced by trade winds; dry period from November to April; wet period from May to October

Terrain

predominantly flat to gently rolling terrain, with some rugged hills and mountainous regions located in the southeast

Land use

other

3.5% (2023 est.)

forest

34.9% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

61.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 28% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 6.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 27.4% (2023 est.)

Location

Caribbean island situated between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, approximately 150 km south of Key West, Florida

Coastline

3,735 km

Elevation

lowest point

Caribbean Sea 0 m

highest point

Pico Turquino 1,974 m

mean elevation

108 m

Irrigated land

8,700 sq km (2012)

Map references

Central America and the Caribbean

Land boundaries

total

28.5 km

border countries

US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 28.5 km

Maritime claims

contiguous zone

24 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Natural hazards

the eastern coastline is vulnerable to hurricanes occurring between August and November (on average, the nation experiences roughly one hurricane every two years); droughts frequently occur

Geography - note

the largest nation in the Caribbean and the westernmost island of the Greater Antilles

Natural resources

resources include cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, and arable land

Area - comparative

marginally smaller than the state of Pennsylvania

Geographic coordinates

21 30 N, 80 00 W

Population distribution

significant population concentrations are distributed across the country, with the major ones located in larger towns and cities, especially in the capital, Havana

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