|
| 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
|
| Area: |
total:
549 sq km
land:
549 sq km
water:
0 sq km
|
| Area - comparative: |
three times the size of Washington, DC
|
| 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-rising 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:
11%
permanent crops:
11%
permanent pastures:
15%
forests and woodland:
18%
other:
45% (1993 est.)
|
| Natural hazards: |
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)
|
| Environment - current issues: |
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic species
|
| Geography - note: |
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
|
|
|
|
