| Location | Caribbean, island between the Caribbean Sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, east of the Dominican Republic |
|
| Geographic coordinates | 18 15 N, 66 30 W |
|
| Zone | Central America |
|
| Area | total: 13,790 sq km land: 8,870 sq km water: 4,921 sq km |
|
| Land boundaries | 0 km |
|
| Coastline | 501 km |
|
| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
|
| Climate | tropical marine, mild; little seasonal temperature variation |
|
| Terrain | mostly mountains with coastal plain belt in north; mountains precipitous to sea on west coast; sandy beaches along most coastal areas |
|
| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: Cerro de Punta 1,339 m |
|
| Natural resources | some copper and nickel; potential for onshore and offshore oil |
|
| Irrigated land | 501 km |
|
| Natural hazards | periodic droughts; hurricanes |
|
Environment - current issues | erosion; occasional drought causing water shortages |
|
| Geography - note | important location along the Mona Passage - a key shipping lane to the Panama Canal; San Juan is one of the biggest and best natural harbors in the Caribbean; many small rivers and high central mountains ensure land is well watered; south coast relatively dry; fertile coastal plain belt in north |
|