GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters
of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 477 sq km
land area: 477 sq km
comparative area: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,482 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade
winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December
to June, rainy season July to October
Terrain: southern islands are limestone with level terraces
and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 5% on Saipan
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: 19%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan
by raw sewage contributes to disease
natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan;
typhoons (especially August to November)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: strategic location in the North Pacific
Ocean
