Short facts about the geography of Guam

Location:

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

Geographic coordinates:

13 28 N, 144 47 E

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

total:  549 sq km land:  549 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 trade winds; 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 coralline limestone plateau (source of most fresh water), with steep coastal cliffs and narrow 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 potentially very destructive typhoons (especially in August)

Environment - current issues:

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic species

Geography - note:

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

Source: World Factbook