American Samoa Geography 1997

Location Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-halfof 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 rainfallaverages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry season fromMay 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 governmenthas spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchmentsand pipelines

Environment - international agreements
party to: NA
signed, but not ratified: NA

Geography - note Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the SouthPacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheralmountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean

NOTE: The information regarding American Samoa on this page is re-published from the 1997 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of American Samoa Geography 1997 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about American Samoa Geography 1997 should be addressed to the CIA.