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
Environment—international agreements:
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA
Geography—note: largest and southernmost island in the Mariana
Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific
Ocean
People
Population: 151,716 (July 1999 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 35% (male 27,301; female 25,106)
15-64 years: 60% (male 47,691; female 42,714)
65 years and over: 5% (male 4,486; female 4,418) (1999 est.)
Population growth rate: 1.67% (1999 est.)
Birth rate: 26.52 births/1,000 population (1999 est.)
Death rate: 4.35 deaths/1,000 population (1999 est.)