Geography of Guam
(See detailed map)
This article describes 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: 541.3 km²
- Land: 541.3 km²
- Water: 0 km²
- 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 km²
- 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
Categories: Guam | Geography by country