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Location:
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Oceania, islands 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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15 12 N, 145 45 E
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Map references:
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Oceania
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Area:
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total: 477 sq km
note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
water: 0 sq km
land: 477 sq km
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Area - comparative:
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2.5 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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1,482 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; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
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Terrain:
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southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
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Natural resources:
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arable land, fish
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Land use:
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arable land: 15.22%
permanent crops: 6.52%
other: 78.26% (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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active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
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Environment - current issues:
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contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
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Geography - note:
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strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean
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