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 (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
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:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mount Lamlam 406 m
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 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