Guam Geography 1997

Location Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters ofthe way from Hawaii to the Philippines

Geographic coordinates 13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references Oceania

Area
total: 541.3 sq km
land: 541.3 sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative three times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries 0 km

Coastline 125.5 km

Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast tradewinds; dry season from January to June, rainy season from July to December;little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reefs; relatively flat corallinelimestone plateau (source of most fresh water) with steep coastal cliffs andnarrow coastal plains in north, low-rising hills in center, mountains in south

Elevation extremes
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m

Natural resources fishing (largely undeveloped), tourism (especially from Japan)

Land use
arable land: 11%
permanent crops: 11%
permanent pastures : 15%
forests and woodland: 18%
other: 45% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land NA sq km

Natural hazards frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentiallyvery destructive typhoons (especially in August)

Environment - current issues NA

Environment - international agreements
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography - note largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago;strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean

NOTE: The information regarding Guam on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of Guam Geography 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about Guam Geography 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.