Short facts about the 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:

total:  199 sq km land:  199 sq km water:  0 sq km 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 territorial sea:  12 NM

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:

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 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

Source: World Factbook