NA Geography, Northern Mariana Islands Geography
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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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The information here has been derived from Public Domain Sources such as the CIA World Factbook. No liability can be taken for any inaccuracies.
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Under US administration as part of the UN Trust Territory of the Pacific, the people of the Northern Mariana Islands decided in the 1970s not to seek independence but instead to forge closer links with the US. Negotiations for territorial status bega...