GEOGRAPHY
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 124 inches; 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
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 South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape
from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high
winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
Geographic 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
