Page last updated on February 08, 2019

Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand

Geographic coordinates:
14 20 S, 170 00 W

Map references:
Oceania

Area:
total: 224 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 224 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
country comparison to the world: 216

Area - comparative:
slightly larger than Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
0 km

Coastline:
116 km
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - territorial sea country ranks ]
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
[see also: Maritime claims - exclusive economic zone country ranks ]

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:
0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean
964 highest point: Lata Mountain

Natural resources:
pumice, pumicite

Land use:
agricultural land: 21.8% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 61.22% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 38.78% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 78.2% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 0% (2014 est.)
[see also: Land use - other country ranks ]

Irrigated land:
0 sq km (2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
cyclones common from December to March

volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century

Environment - current issues:
limited supply of drinking water; pollution; waste disposal; coastal and stream alteration; soil erosion

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