The islands are even closer to the long Burin Peninsula, which is situated just 25 kilometres (13 nmi) to the east.

[1] Saint Pierre and Miquelon is an archipelago of eight islands, Saint-Pierre (25 km2) and Miquelon-Langlade (216 km2) being the major ones.

In the 18th century, an isthmus of sand called La Dune was formed naturally between Miquelon and Langlade.

Every spring, whales migrating to Greenland are visible off the coasts of Miquelon and St Pierre.

There were a number of stone pillars off the island coasts called "L'anse aux Soldats" that have been eroded away and disappeared in the 1970s.

[8] Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22.2 km; 13.8 mi) 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% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 4% other: 83% (1993 est.)

Geography - note: vegetation scanty This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook.