Saint Pierre and Miquelon: Background & Geography

Introduction Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Background:
 First settled by the French in the early 17th century, the islands represent the sole remaining vestige of France's once vast North American possessions.
Geography Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Location:
 Northern North America, islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, south of Newfoundland (Canada)
Geographic coordinates:
 46 50 N, 56 20 W
Map references:
 North America
Area:
 total: 242 sq km
note: includes eight small islands in the Saint Pierre and the Miquelon groups
water: 0 sq km
land: 242 sq km
Area - comparative:
 1.5 times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
 0 km
Coastline:
 120 km
Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
 territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
 cold and wet, with much mist and fog; spring and autumn are windy
Terrain:
 mostly barren rock
Elevation extremes:
 lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m
Natural resources:
 fish, deepwater ports
Land use:
 arable land: 13.04%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 86.96% (1998 est.)
Irrigated land:
 NA sq km
Natural hazards:
 persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard
Environment - current issues:
 recent test drilling for oil in waters around Saint Pierre and Miquelon may bring future development that would impact the environment
Geography - note:
 vegetation scanty

See Also: