Location:
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of
the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 549 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 549 sq km
Area - comparative:
three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
125.5 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast
trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July
to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat
coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep
coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in
center, mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources:
fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land: 10.91%
permanent crops: 10.91%
other: 78.18% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but
potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Environment - current issues:
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of
the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geography - note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;
strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean