Location:
Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates:
46 50 N, 56 20 W
Map references:
North America
Area:
total: 242 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 242 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
214
Area - comparative:
one and half times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
120 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:
cold and wet, with considerable mist and fog; spring and autumn are often windy
Terrain:
mostly barren rock
Elevation:
lowest point:
Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources:
fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
agricultural land: 8.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 8.7%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 12.5%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 78.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
most of the population is found on Saint Pierre Island; a small settlement is located on the north end of Miquelon Island
Natural hazards:
persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
overfishing; recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment
Geography - note:
vegetation scanty; the islands are actually part of the northern Appalachians along with Newfoundland
