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Geography of American Samoa - Definition and Overview |
| Related Words: Gaea, Ge, Tellus, Terra, Biosphere, Cartography, Geodesy, Geodetics, Geology, Geomorphology, Geophysics, Geosphere, Globe, Hydrogeology |
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This article describes the geography of American Samoa.
- Location
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- Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about two thirds of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
- Geographic coordinates
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- 14°20′ S, 170°00′ W
- Map references
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- Oceania
- Area
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- Total: 199 km²
- Land: 199 km²
- Water: 0 km²
- Note: Includes Rose Island and Swains Island
- Area - comparative
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- Slightly larger than Washington, DC
- Land boundaries
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- 0 km
- Coastline
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- 116 km
- Maritime claims
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- Climate
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- 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
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- Tutuila, Ta'u, Ofu, Olosega, Aunu'u, Swain's, Rose
- Terrain
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- Five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
- Elevation extremes
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- Lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
- Highest point: Lata 966 m
- Natural resources
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- Pumice, pumicite
- Land use
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- Arable land: 5%
- Permanent crops: 10%
- Permanent pastures: 0%
- Forests and woodland: 70%
- Other: 15% (1993 est.)
- Irrigated land
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- NA km²
- Natural hazards
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- Hurricane season from December to March; Hurricane Heta struck Tutuila and Manu`a January, 2004.
- Landslides
- Environment - current issues
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- 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
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- 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
See also: American Samoa
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