Page last updated on January 31, 2014

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 ]
country comparison to the world: 195
land: 544 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

Land boundaries:
0 km
[see also: Land boundaries country ranks ]

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

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

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 extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - lowest point country ranks ]
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

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

Land use:
arable land: 1.85%
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 16.67%
other: 81.48% (2011)

Irrigated land:
2 sq km (2011)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

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

Environment - current issues:
extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

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