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 (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
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:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Lata Mountain 964 m
Natural resources:
pumice, pumicite
Land use:
agricultural land: 21.9%
(2016 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 13.4%
(2016 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 8.5%
(2016 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0%
(2016 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 78.1%
(2016 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 0%
(2016 est.)
[see also: Land use 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
