Geographic coordinates: 15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total:
477 sq km
land:
477 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Area - comparative: 2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,482 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
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
Elevation extremes:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources: arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land:
21%
permanent crops:
0%
permanent pastures:
19%
forests and woodland:
0%
other:
60%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Natural hazards: active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Environment - current issues: contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean