American Samoa Geography Profile 2008

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

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

territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Climate

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

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 Mountain 964 m

Natural resources

pumice, pumicite

Land use

arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75% (2005)

Irrigated land

NA

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