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Geography of Northern Mariana Islands

Location:Oceania, islands in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates:15 12 N, 145 45 E
Map references:Oceania
Area:total: 477 sq km
land: 477 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes 14 islands including Saipan, Rota, and Tinian
Area - comparative:2.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:0 km
Coastline:1,482 km
Maritime claims:territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:tropical marine; moderated by northeast trade winds, little seasonal temperature variation; dry season December to June, rainy season July to October
Terrain:southern islands are limestone with level terraces and fringing coral reefs; northern islands are volcanic
Elevation extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Agrihan 965 m
Natural resources:arable land, fish
Land use:arable land: 13.04%
permanent crops: 4.35%
other: 82.61% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
Natural hazards:active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November)
Environment - current issues:contamination of groundwater on Saipan may contribute to disease; clean-up of landfill; protection of endangered species conflicts with development
Geography - note:strategic location in the North Pacific Ocean

Northern Mariana Islands Quickstats

  • Population: 84,546 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 477 sq km
  • Density: 168 /km²
  • GDP (total):
  • GDP (per capita):
  • Literacy: 97%

Languages of Northern Mariana Islands

  • Philippine 24.4%
  • Chinese 23.4%
  • Chamorro 22.4%
  • English 10.8%
  • Other 19.1%

Useful to know

  • Currency: United States dollar (USD)
  • Dial code: +1 670

International Trade

External sites

More Resources

Northern Mariana Islands Internet

  • Usage: 10,000
  • Penetration: 12.5 %
  • Top Domain: .cq

WT eBusiness info:

  • Success Ranking: 100
  • Market testing: Untested
  • Overall risk: High
  • Overall reward: Low

e-maturity:

  • Tourism: 10%
  • eCommerce: 10%
  • Gaming: 10%
  • eLearning: 10%

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