permanent crops: 18.18%

other: 78.18% (2005)

Irrigated land:

NA

Natural hazards:

frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but potentially destructive typhoons (June - December)

Environment - current issues:

extirpation of native bird population by the rapid proliferation of the brown tree snake, an exotic, invasive species

Geography - note:

largest and southernmost island in the Mariana Islands archipelago; strategic location in western North Pacific Ocean