Part 737

Location: 24 15 N, 76 00 W -- Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida

Flag ----

Description: three equal horizontal bands of aquamarine (top), gold, and aquamarine with a black equilateral triangle based on the hoist side

Geography ---------

Location: Caribbean, chain of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, southeast of Florida

Geographic coordinates: 24 15 N, 76 00 W

Map references: Central America and the Caribbean

Area: total area: 13,940 sq km land area: 10,070 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Connecticut

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 3,542 km

Maritime claims: continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 3 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: tropical marine; moderated by warm waters of Gulf Stream

Terrain: long, flat coral formations with some low rounded hills lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Alvernia 63 m

Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber

Land use: arable land: 1% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 32% other: 67%

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Environment: current issues: coral reef decay natural hazards: hurricanes and other tropical storms that cause extensive flood and wind damage international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Whaling

Geographic note: strategic location adjacent to US and Cuba; extensive island chain

People ------

Population: 259,367 (July 1996 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 28% (male 36,331; female 35,771) 15-64 years: 67% (male 84,107; female 89,193) 65 years and over: 5% (male 5,449; female 8,516) (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.05% (1996 est.)

Birth rate: 18.73 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Death rate: 5.74 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Net migration rate: -2.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.02 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.64 male(s)/female all ages: 0.94 male(s)/female (1996 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 23.3 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)