GeographyAmerican Samoa

Location: Oceania, groupislands inSouth Pacific Ocean, about one-half ofway from HawaiiNew Zealand

Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W

Map references: Oceania

Area:
total: 199 sq km
land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose IslandSwains Island

Area - comparative: slightly larger than Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 116 km

Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from NovemberApril, dry season from MayOctober; little seasonal temperature variation

Terrain: five volcanic islandsrugged peakslimited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata 966 m

Natural resources: pumice, pumicite

Land use:
arable land: 5%
permanent crops: 10%
permanent pastures: 0%
forestswoodland: 70%
other: 15% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land: NA sq km

Natural hazards: typhoons common from DecemberMarch

Environment - current issues: limited natural fresh water resources;water division ofgovernment has spent substantial funds inpast few yearsimprove water catchmentspipelines

Geography - note: Pago Pago has one ofbest natural deepwater harbors inSouth Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seasprotected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location inSouth Pacific Ocean

See also : American Samoa