<item><hi format=bold>Climate:</hi> tropical; moderated by easterly trade winds (March to November); westerly gales and heavy rain (November to March)
<item><hi format=bold>Terrain:</hi> very low-lying and narrow coral atolls
<item><hi format=bold>Natural resources:</hi> fish
<item><hi format=bold>Land use:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>arable land:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>permanent crops:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>meadows and pastures:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>forest and woodland:</hi> 0%
<item>• <hi format=ital>other:</hi> 100%
</list>
<item><hi format=bold>Irrigated land:</hi> NA sq km
<item><hi format=bold>Environment:</hi>
<list style=hang>
<item>• <hi format=ital>current issues:</hi> since there are no streams or rivers and groundwater is not potable, all water needs must be met by catchment systems with storage facilities
<item>• <hi format=ital>natural hazards:</hi> severe tropical storms are rare
<item>• <hi format=ital>international agreements:</hi> party to—Climate Change, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution; signed, but not ratified—Biodiversity, Law of the Sea