Navassa Island Geography Location: Caribbean, island in the Caribbean Sea, about one-fourth of the way from Haiti to Jamaica Geographic coordinates: 18 25 N, 75 02 W Map references: Central America and the Caribbean Area: total: 5.2 sq km land: 5.2 sq km water: 0 sq km AreaÑcomparative: about nine times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC Land boundaries: 0 km Coastline: 8 km Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: marine, tropical Terrain: raised coral and limestone plateau, flat to undulating; ringed by vertical white cliffs (9 to 15 meters high) Elevation extremes: lowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 m highest point: unnamed location on southwest side 77 m Natural resources: guano Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 10% forests and woodland: 0% other: 90% Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993) Natural hazards: NA EnvironmentÑcurrent issues: NA EnvironmentÑinternational agreements: party to: NA signed, but not ratified: NA GeographyÑnote: 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 People Population: uninhabited note: transient Haitian fishermen and others camp on the island Government Country name: conventional long form: none conventional short form: Navassa Island Data code: BQ Dependency status: unincorporated territory of the US; administered from Washington, DC, by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior; in September 1996, the Coast Guard ceased operations and maintenance of Navassa Island Light, a 46-meter-tall lighthouse located on the southern side of the island; there has also been a private claim advanced against the island National capital: none; administered from Washington, DC Legal system: NA Flag description: the flag of the US is used Economy EconomyÑoverview: no economic activity Transportation Ports and harbors: none; offshore anchorage only Military MilitaryÑnote: defense is the responsibility of the US Transnational Issues DisputesÑinternational: claimed by Haiti