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Geography of American Samoa

Location:Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and 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:territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
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 extremes:lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Natural resources:pumice, pumicite
Land use:arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75% (2005)
Irrigated land:NA
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
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

American Samoa Quickstats

  • Population: 57,663 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 199 sq km
  • Density: 353 /km² (33rd)
  • GDP (total):
  • GDP (per capita):
  • Literacy: 97%

Languages of American Samoa

  • Samoan 90.6%
  • English 2.9%
  • Tongan 2.4%
  • Other Pacific islander 2.1%
  • Other 2%

Useful to know

  • Currency: United States dollar (USD)
  • Dial code: +1 684

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