Natural hazards: the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common
Environment-current issues: pollution of Havana Bay; overhunting threatens wildlife populations; deforestation
Environment-international agreements: party to: Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution signed, but not ratified: Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Marine Life Conservation
Geography-note: largest country in Caribbean
@Cuba:People
Population: 11,050,729 (July 1998 est.)
Age structure: 0-14 years: 22% (male 1,247,339; female 1,182,612) 15-64 years: 69% (male 3,795,310; female 3,777,454) 65 years and over: 9% (male 490,883; female 557,131) (July 1998 est.)
Population growth rate: 0.42% (1998 est.)
Birth rate: 13.13 births/1,000 population (1998 est.)
Death rate: 7.35 deaths/1,000 population (1998 est.)