Geography of Northern Mariana Islands

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

Area: total: 464 sq km; land: 464 sq km; water: 0 sq km
note: consists of 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian

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 elevation on Agrihan 965 m

Natural resources: arable land, fish

Land use: arable land: 13.04%; permanent crops: 4.35%; other: 82.61% (2005)

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

Geography - note: strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean.