Guam Geography:
Location:
Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:
13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references:
Area:
total:
549 sq km
land:
549 sq km
water:
0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
125 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
Tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
Volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow coastal plains in north, low hills in center, mountains in south
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources:
Fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
Land use:
arable land: 9.09%
permanent crops: 16.36%
other: 74.55%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
Frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Environment - current issues:
Extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Environment - international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography - Note:
Largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean |
