| Location | Southeastern Asia, group of islands in the Indian Ocean, southwest of Indonesia, about halfway from Australia to Sri Lanka |
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| Geographic coordinates | 12 30 S, 96 50 E |
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| Zone | Asia |
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| Area | total: 14 sq km land: 14 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes the two main islands of West Island and Home Island |
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| Land boundaries | 0 km |
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| Coastline | 26 km |
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| Maritime claims | territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
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| Climate | tropical with high humidity, moderated by the southeast trade winds for about nine months of the year |
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| Terrain | flat, low-lying coral atolls |
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| Elevation extremes | lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m highest point: unnamed location 5 m |
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| Natural resources | fish |
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| Irrigated land | 26 km |
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| Natural hazards | cyclone season is October to April |
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Environment - current issues | fresh water resources are limited to rainwater accumulations in natural underground reservoirs |
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| Geography - note | islands are thickly covered with coconut palms and other vegetation |
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