Guam:
Geography

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People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.


Background	Definition Guam was ceded to the US by Spain in 1898. Captured by the Japanese in 1941, it was retaken by the US three years later. The military installation on the island is one of the most strategically important US bases in the Pacific.

Location	Definition Oceania, island in the North Pacific Ocean, about three-quarters of the way from Hawaii to the Philippines
Geographic coordinates	Definition 13 28 N, 144 47 E
Map references	Definition Oceania
Area	Definition - World rank and map total: 541.3 sq km land: 541.3 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative	Definition three times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries	Definition 0 km
Coastline	Definition 125.5 km
Maritime claims	Definition territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate	Definition 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	Definition 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	Definition lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Mount Lamlam 406 m
Natural resources	Definition aquatic wildlife (supporting tourism), fishing (largely undeveloped)
Land use	Definition - World rank and map arable land: 3.64% permanent crops: 18.18% other: 78.18% (2005)
Irrigated land	Definition NA
Natural hazards	Definition frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December)
Environment - current issues	Definition extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species
Geography - note	Definition largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean