Page last updated on October 25, 2013

Location: Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and Australia

Geographic coordinates:
0 48 N, 176 38 W

Map references:
Oceania

Area:
total: 1.6 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
country comparison to the world: 251
land: 1.6 sq km
water: 0 sq km

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

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

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

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

Climate:
equatorial; scant rainfall, constant wind, burning sun

Terrain:
low-lying, nearly level, sandy, coral island surrounded by a narrow fringing reef; depressed central area

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
[see also: Elevation extremes - lowest point country ranks ]
highest point: unnamed location 3 m

Natural resources:
guano (deposits worked until late 1800s), terrestrial and aquatic wildlife

Land use:
arable land: 0%
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (2001)

Irrigated land:
0 sq km
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard

Environment - current issues:
no natural fresh water resources

Geography - note:
almost totally covered with grasses, prostrate vines, and low-growing shrubs; small area of trees in the center; primarily a nesting, roosting, and foraging habitat for seabirds, shorebirds, and marine wildlife