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Location:
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Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
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Geographic coordinates:
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13 28 N, 144 47 E
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Map references:
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Oceania
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Area:
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total: 549 sq km
water: 0 sq km
land: 549 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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three times the size of Washington, DC
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Land boundaries:
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0 km
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Coastline:
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125.5 km
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Maritime claims:
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exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
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Climate:
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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
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Terrain:
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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
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
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Natural resources:
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fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)
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Land use:
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arable land: 10.91%
permanent crops: 10.91%
other: 78.18% (1998 est.)
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km
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Natural hazards:
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frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
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Environment - current issues:
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extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
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Geography - note:
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largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean
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