Puerto Rican Geography, Puerto Rico Geography
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Location: Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic
Geographic coordinates: 18 15 N, 66 30 W
Map references: Central America and the Caribbean
Area: Total: 9,104 sq km land: 8,959 sq km water: 145 sq km
Area - comparative: Slightly less than three times the size of Rhode Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 501 km
Maritime claims: Territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate: Tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: Mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas
Elevation extremes: Lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m
Natural resources: Some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil
Land use: Arable land: 3.95% permanent crops: 5.52% other: 90.53% (2001)
Irrigated land: 400 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: Periodic droughts; hurricanes
Environment - current issues: Erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages
Environment - international agreements:
Geography - note: Important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north
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The information here has been derived from Public Domain Sources such as the CIA World Factbook. No liability can be taken for any inaccuracies.
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