Geography of American Samoa
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
116 km
Maritime claims:
Climate:
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain:
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:
Natural resources:
pumice, pumicite[?]
Land use:
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Natural hazards:
typhoons common from December to March
Environment - current issues:
limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Geography - note:
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
total:
199 sq km
land:
199 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
includes Rose Island and Swains Island
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Lata 966 m
arable land:
5%
permanent crops:
10%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
70%
other:
15% (1993 est.)