Geographic coordinates: 12 30 S, 96 50 E
Map references: Southeast Asia
Area:
total:
14 sq km
land:
14 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island
Area - comparative: about 24 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 2.6 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
3 nm
Climate: pleasant, modified by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year; moderate rainfall
Terrain: flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use:
arable land:
0%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
100% (1993 est.)
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: cyclones may occur in the early months of the year
Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs
Geography - note: two coral atolls thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation