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| Location: |
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
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| Geographic coordinates: |
14 20 S, 170 00 W
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| Area: |
total:
199 sq km
land:
199 sq km
water:
0 sq km
note:
includes Rose Island and Swains Island
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| Area - comparative: |
slightly larger than Washington, DC
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| Maritime claims: |
exclusive economic zone:
200 NM
territorial sea:
12 NM
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| 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
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| Terrain: |
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
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| Elevation extremes: |
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Lata 966 m
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| Natural resources: |
pumice, pumicite
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| Land use: |
arable land:
5%
permanent crops:
10%
permanent pastures:
0%
forests and woodland:
70%
other:
15% (1993 est.)
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| Natural hazards: |
typhoons common from December to March
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| 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
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| 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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