Location:
Caribbean, between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 30 N, 64 30 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 151 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 151 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: comprised of 16 inhabited and more than 20 uninhabited islands; includes the islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, Jost van Dyke
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
220
Area - comparative:
about 0.9 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
80 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 3
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; humid; temperatures moderated by trade winds
More Climate Details
Terrain:
coral islands relatively flat; volcanic islands steep, hilly
Elevation:
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:
Mount Sage 521 m
Natural resources:
NEGL; pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Land use:
agricultural land: 46.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 6.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 6.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 33.3%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 24.3%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 29%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
a fairly even distribution throughout the inhabited islands, with the largest islands of Tortola, Anegada, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke having the largest populations
Natural hazards:
hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October)
Environment - current issues:
limited natural freshwater resources except for a few seasonal streams and springs on Tortola; most of the islands' water supply comes from desalination plants; sewage and mining/industry waste contribute to water pollution, threatening coral reefs
Geography - note:
strong ties to nearby US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
