Location:
North America, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, east of South Carolina (US)

Geographic coordinates:
32 20 N, 64 45 W

Map references:
North America

Area:
total: 54 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 54 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 233

Area - comparative:
about one-third the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
103 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive fishing zone country ranks ]

Climate:
subtropical; mild, humid; gales, strong winds common in winter

Terrain:
low hills separated by fertile depressions

Elevation:
mean elevation: NA
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Town Hill 79 m

Natural resources:
limestone, pleasant climate fostering tourism

Land use:
agricultural land: 14.8% arable land 14.8%; permanent crops 0%; permanent pasture 0%
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
forest: 20%
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 65.2% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Population - distribution:
relatively even population distribution throughout

Natural hazards:
hurricanes (June to November)

Environment - current issues:
dense population and heavy vehicle traffic create serious pollution problems; water resources scarce (most obtained as rainwater or from wells); there is no sewage treatment on the island

Geography - note:
consists of about 138 coral islands and islets with ample rainfall, but no rivers or freshwater lakes; some land was leased by the US Government from 1941 to 1995