Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm

International disputes: none

Climate: subtropical tempered by trade winds; moderately high humidity

Terrain: Basse-Terre is volcanic in origin with interior mountains; Grand-Terre is low limestone formation; most of the seven other islands are volcanic in origin lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Soufriere 1,467 m

Natural resources: cultivable land, beaches and climate that
foster tourism

Land use:
arable land: 18%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 13%
forest and woodland: 40%
other: 24%

Irrigated land: 30 sq km (1989 est.)

Environment:
current issues: NA
natural hazards: hurricanes (June to October); La Soufriere is an
active volcano
international agreements: NA

People ———

Population: 407,768 (July 1996 est.)