1996 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1996 (Project Gutenberg)
Introduction
Description
the flag of the US is used
Location
18 25 N, 75 02 W -- Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica Flag ----
Geography
Area
- comparative area
- about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
- land area
- 5.2 sq km
- total area
- 5.2 sq km
Climate
marine, tropical
Coastline
8 km
Environment
- current issues
- NA
- international agreements
- NA
- natural hazards
- NA
Geographic coordinates
18 25 N, 75 02 W
Geographic note
strategic location 160 km south of the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; mostly exposed rock, but enough grassland to support goat herds; dense stands of fig-like trees, scattered cactus
International disputes
claimed by Haiti
Irrigated land
0 sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
- arable land
- 0%
- forest and woodland
- 0%
- meadows and pastures
- 10%
- other
- 90%
- permanent crops
- 0%
Location
Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica
Map references
Central America and the Caribbean
Maritime claims
- exclusive economic zone
- 200 nm
- territorial sea
- 12 nm
Natural resources
guano
Terrain
- raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high)
- highest point
- unnamed location on southwest side 77 m
- lowest point
- Caribbean Sea 0 m
People and Society
Population
uninhabited; note - transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island
Government
Capital
none; administered from Washington, DC
Data code
BQ
Flag
the flag of the US is used
Name of country
- conventional long form
- none
- conventional short form
- Navassa Island
Type of government
unincorporated territory of the US administered by the US Coast Guard
Economy
Economic overview
no economic activity
Transportation
Defense note
defense is the responsibility of the US
Ports
none; offshore anchorage only Defense