International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: mostly low-lying limestone and coral islands with some higher volcanic areas lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Boggy Peak 402 m
Natural resources: negligible; pleasant climate fosters tourism
Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 0%
meadows and pastures: 7%
forest and woodland: 16%
other: 59%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: water management - a major concern because of
limited natural fresh water resources - is further hampered by the
clearing of trees to increase crop production, causing rainfall to
run off quickly
natural hazards: hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October);
periodic droughts
international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change,
Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine
Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution,
Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Desertification
People ———
Population: 65,647 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 25% (male 8,386; female 8,043)
15-64 years: 69% (male 22,589; female 22,548)
65 years and over: 6% (male 1,820; female 2,261) (July 1996 est.)