GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the North Pacific Ocean, southeast
of the Philippines
Geographic coordinates: 7 30 N, 134 30 E
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 458 sq km
land area: 458 sq km
comparative area: slightly more than 2.5 times the size
of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 1,519 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive fishing zone: 12 nm
extended fishing zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 3 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: wet season May to November; hot and humid
Terrain: varying geologically from the high, mountainous
main island of Babelthuap to low, coral islands usually fringed
by large barrier reefs
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mount Ngerchelchauus 242 m
Natural resources: forests, minerals (especially gold),
marine products, deep-seabed minerals
Land use:
arable land: NA%
permanent crops: NA%
meadows and pastures: NA%
forest and woodland: NA%
other: NA%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: inadequate facilities for disposal of solid
waste; threats to the marine ecosystem from sand and coral dredging
and illegal fishing practices that involve the use of dynamite
natural hazards: typhoons (June to December)
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: includes World War II battleground of
Beliliou (Peleliu) and world-famous rock islands; archipelago
of six island groups totaling over 200 islands in the Caroline
chain
