Northern Mariana Islands' Geography | 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: 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: 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 on Agrihan 965 m

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:

Geography - note: Strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

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