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GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Oceania, group of atolls and reefs in the North Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to Papua New Guinea
comparative
area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
note:
includes the atolls of Bikini, Eniwetak, and Kwajalein
exclusive
economic zone: 200 nm
International
disputes: claims US territory of Wake Island
Climate:
wet season May to November; hot and humid; islands border typhoon
belt
Terrain:
low coral limestone and sand islands
Natural
resources: phosphate deposits, marine products, deep seabed
minerals
current
issues: inadequate supplies of potable water
natural
hazards: occasional typhoons
international
agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of
the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution
Note:
two archipelagic island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands;
Bikini and Eniwetak are former US nuclear test sites; Kwajalein,
the famous World War II battleground, is now used as a US missile
test range.
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