Geography Of American Samoa

Location:

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:

Map references:

Oceania

Area:

• Total: 199 km

• Land: 199 km²

• Water: 0 km²

• Note: Includes Rose Island and Swains Island

Area - comparative:

Slightly larger than Washington, DC

Land boundaries:

0 km

Coastline:

116 km

Maritime claims:

• Exclusive economic zone: 200 nm (370.4 km)

• Territorial sea: 12 nm (22.2 km)

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

Island Names in order of size:

Tutuila, Ta'u, Ofu, Olosega, Aunu'u, Swain's, Rose

Terrain:

Five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited 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%

• Forests and woodland: 70%

• Other: 15% (1993 est.)

Irrigated land:

NA km²

Natural hazards:

Hurricane season from December to March; Hurricane Heta struck Tutuila and Manu`a January, 2004.

Landslides

Environment - current issues:

Limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to expand well system, 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

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