Northern Mariana Islands 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:
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:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
1,482 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 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 965 m on Agrihan
Natural resources:
Arable land, fish
Land use:
arable land: 13.04%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 82.61%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
NA
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
Environment - international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - Note:
Strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean |
