Location:
Caribbean, islands between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of Puerto Rico
Geographic coordinates:
18 20 N, 64 50 W
Map references:
Central America and the Caribbean
Area:
total: 1,910 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 346 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 1,564 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
182
Area - comparative:
twice the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
188 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 ]
Climate:
subtropical, tempered by easterly trade winds, relatively low humidity, little seasonal temperature variation; rainy season September to November
Terrain:
mostly hilly to rugged and mountainous with little flat land
Elevation:
lowest point:
Caribbean Sea 0 m
highest point:
Crown Mountain 474 m
Natural resources:
pleasant climate, beaches foster tourism
Land use:
agricultural land: 11.5%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 2.9%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 2.9%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 5.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 57.4%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 31.1%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
1 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
while overall population density throughout the islands is relatively low, concentrations appear around Charlotte Amalie on St. Thomas and Christiansted on St. Croix
Natural hazards:
several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes
Environment - current issues:
lack of natural freshwater resources; protection of coral reefs; solid waste management; coastal development; increased boating and overfishing
Geography - note:
important location along the Anegada Passage - a key shipping lane for the Panama Canal; Saint Thomas has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the Caribbean
