Geography of Guam

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

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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 n.m

territorial sea: 12 n.m.

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

See also : Guam