Area comparison map:

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:
total: 28.5 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (1): US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay 28.5 km
note: Guantanamo Naval Base is leased by the US and remains part of Cuba

Coastline:
3,735 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone country ranks ]
contiguous zone: 24 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - contiguous zone country ranks ]

Climate:
tropical; moderated by trade winds; dry season (November to April); rainy season (May to October)
More Climate Details

Terrain:
mostly flat to rolling plains, with rugged hills and mountains in the southeast

Elevation:
mean elevation: 108 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point: Pico Turquino 1,974 m

Natural resources:
cobalt, nickel, iron ore, chromium, copper, salt, timber, silica, petroleum, arable land

Land use:
agricultural land: 60.3% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 33.8% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 3.6% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 22.9% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 27.3% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 12.4% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
8,700 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Population distribution:
large population clusters found throughout the country, the more significant ones being in the larger towns and cities, particularly the capital of Havana

Natural hazards:
the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common

Environment - current issues:
soil degradation and desertification (brought on by poor farming techniques and natural disasters) are the main environmental problems; biodiversity loss; deforestation; air and water pollution

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation

Geography - note:
largest country in Caribbean and westernmost island of the Greater Antilles