This article describes the geography of American Samoa.

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Geographic coordinates

Map references

Oceania

Area

• Total: 199 km²
• Land: 199 km²
• Water: 0 km²
• 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 (370.4 km)
• Territorial sea: 12 nm (22.2 km)

Climate

Tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation

Island Names in order of size

Tutuila, Ta'u, Ofu, Olosega, Aunu'u, Swain's, Rose

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 km²

Natural hazards

Hurricane season from December to March; Hurricane Heta struck Tutuila and Manu`a January, 2004.

Landslides

Environment - current issues

Limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to expand well system, 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

MapQuest zoom level 4 shows the location with respect to the state of Samoa.