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: 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: | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm |
Climate: | tropical marine; generally warm and humid, moderated by northeast trade winds; dry season (January to June), rainy season (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 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: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005) |
Irrigated land: | NA |
Natural hazards: | frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) |
Environment - current issues: | extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species |
Geography - note: | largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean |