Location:
Oceania, atoll in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and American Samoa

Geographic coordinates:
5 52 N, 162 04 W

Map references:
Oceania

Area:
total: 11.9 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 11.9 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): 243

Area - comparative:
about 20 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
14.5 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:
equatorial, hot, and very rainy

Terrain:
very lowlying atoll consists of an extensive reef, two shallow lagoons, and about 50 islets and bars covered with vegetation

Elevation:
mean elevation: 2 m
[see also: Elevation - mean elevation country ranks ]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Sand Island 10 m

Natural resources:
terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Natural hazards:
an extensive surrounding reef is only penetrated by a single western channel

Environment - current issues:
a few of the islets are designated Unexploded Ordnance Areas, a legacy of US Navy occupation (1934-59), and are closed to entry; invasive plants and insects compete with native biota

Geography - note:
about 50 islets covered with dense vegetation, coconut trees, and balsa-like trees up to 30 meters tall