Page last updated on February 08, 2019

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: 544 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 544 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 195

Area - comparative:
three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
125.5 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone country ranks ]

Climate:
tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (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:
0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean
406 highest point: Mount Lamlam

Natural resources:
aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)

Land use:
agricultural land: 33.4% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 1.9% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 16.7% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 14.8% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 47.9% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 18.7% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
2 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Population distribution:
no large cities exist on the island, though large villages (municipalities) attract much of the population; the largest of these is Dededo

Natural hazards:
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June to December)

Environment - current issues:
fresh water scarcity; reef damage; inadequate sewage treatment; extermination of native bird populations by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geography - note:
largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago and the largest island in Micronesia; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean