| 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 |
| 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 from November to April, dry season from 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 966 m |
| Natural Resources : |
pumice, pumicite |
| Land Use : |
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75% (2001) |
| 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. |
