Geography of Guam - Definition

(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