Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references:
Oceania
Area:
total: 2,831 sq km
[see also: Area - total country ranks ]
land: 2,821 sq km
[see also: Area - land country ranks ]
water: 10 sq km
[see also: Area - water country ranks ]
country comparison to the world (CIA rank, may be based on non-current data):
178
Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
403 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 ]
contiguous zone: 24
nm
[see also: Maritime claims - contiguous zone country ranks ]
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Terrain:
two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interior
Elevation:
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mount Silisili 1,857 m
Natural resources:
hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use:
agricultural land: 12.4%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 2.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 7.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 1.8%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 60.4%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 27.2%
(2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]
Irrigated land:
0 sq km
(2012)
[see also: Irrigated land country ranks ]
Population distribution:
about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu
Natural hazards:
occasional cyclones; active volcanism
volcanism: Savai'I Island (1,858 m), which last erupted in 1911, is historically active
Environment - current issues:
soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to:
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:
none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
