1991 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1991 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Climate
marine, tropical
Coastline
8 km
Comparative area
about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Disputes
claimed by Haiti
Environment
mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus
Land boundaries
none
Land use
arable land 0%; permanent crops 0%; meadows and pastures 10%; forest and woodland 0%; other 90%
Maritime claims
Contiguous zone: 12 nm; Continental shelf: 200 m (depth); Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm; Territorial sea: 12 nm
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)
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 _%_