EXPLORE CUBA 12 KEY FACTS by Peggy Snow STORY LIBRARY
Cuba Is an Island Country Cuba is a nation of islands Most Cubans live on the main island Many smaller islands lie off the coast Most of them are uninhabited Cuba is the largest country in the Caribbean Sea Its total area is 42 803 square miles 110 860 sq km Maestra Sierra Cristal and Escambray are a few of the largest Forests of evergreens and ferns grow on mountain slopes Pico Turquino is the tallest peak at 6 650 feet 1 999 m Mountains and hills make up one third of Cuba Lowland plains cover the rest of the country Fresh water sources are limited in Cuba The country does not have many lakes or rivers Streams tend Several mountain ranges are scattered across Cuba Sierra The capital city of Havana is located on the northwest side of the island
It's a two day hike to reach the top of Pico Turquino the tallest peak in Cuba to dry up in the summer The country is surrounded by salt water The Atlantic Ocean lies to the northeast The Gulf of Mexico is to the west The southern coast is on the Caribbean Sea Cuba has many sandy beaches Palm trees dot the white sand shores Coral reefs are common Reefs stretch for thousands of miles along the south shore 48 Number of miles 77 km to Haiti the closest neighboring country THE CORAL REEFS OF CUBA Cuba has some of the healthiest coral reef ecosystems on Earth Pollution has harmed many reefs around the world Cuba's are thriving Fish and marine life flourish among the reefs Scientists believe this is because Cuba has not developed its coastal areas Also the land has not been over farmed Cuba is made up of a group of islands Mountains forests and lowlands are common landscapes Three bodies of salt water surround Cuba Coasts feature sandy beaches and coral reefs 5
