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American Samoa:
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Other pages in this profile of American Samoa:
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
People, Government, Economy, Communications & Transportation, Military & Transnational Issues.
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Background |
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. |
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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 |
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Copyright 2008 World Sites Atlas (sitesatlas.com) |