Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
Area - comparative: Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline: Maritime claims:
Climate: Terrain: Elevation extremes:
Natural resources: Land use:
Irrigated land: Natural hazards: Environment - current issues: Geography - note:
total:
199 sq km
country comparison to the world: 216
land:
199 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
includes Rose Island and Swains Island
slightly larger than Washington, DC
[see also: Land boundaries country ranks ]
116 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]
territorial sea:
12 nm
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Lata Mountain 964 m
pumice, pumicite
arable land:
9.5%
permanent crops:
15%
other:
75.5% (2011)
NA
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
typhoons common from December to March
volcanism:
limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century
limited natural freshwater resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
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