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Geography of American Samoa

This article describes the 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:
14 20 S, 170 00 W
; Map references:
Oceania
; Area:
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
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
; Island Names:
Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofo, Olosega, Ta'u
; 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 Jan, 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

See also: American Samoa