1990 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1990 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
marine, tropical
Coastline
8 km
Comparative area
about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Contiguous zone
12 nm;
Continental shelf
200 m;
Disputes
claimed by Haiti
Environment
mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus
Extended economic zone
200 nm;
Land boundaries
none
Land use
0% arable land; 0% permanent crops; 10% meadows and pastures; 0% forest and woodland; 90% other
Natural resources
guano
Note
strategic location between Cuba, Haiti, and Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea; 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo, Cuba
Terrain
raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high)
Territorial sea
12 nm
Total area
5.2 km2; land area: 5.2 km2
People and Society
Population
uninhabited; transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island
Government
Long-form name
none (territory of the US)
Type
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard
Economy
Overview
no economic activity
Communications
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the US