Coastline:
26 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive fishing zone: 200 NM
territorial sea: 12 NM
Climate:
tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds
for about nine months of the year
Terrain:
flat, low-lying coral atolls
Elevation extremes: lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m
Natural resources: fish
Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
cyclone season is October to April
Environment - current issues: fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs