Geography of American Samoa

American Samoa
American Samoa
Continent Oceania
Subregion Oceania
Geographic coordinates 14°20′S 170°00′W / 14.333°S 170.000°W / -14.333; -170.000
Area
 - Total
 - Water
Ranked 216th
199 km2
0 km2
Coastline 116 km
Land boundaries 0 km
Countries bordered none
Maritime claims 200 nmi (370.4 km)
Highest point Lata Mountain, 964 m
Lowest point Pacific Ocean, 0 m
Longest river
Largest inland body of water
Land Use
 - Arable land

 - Permanent
   crops

 - Other


15%
9.5%
75.5%  (2012 est.)
Irrigated Land: n/a
Climate: tropical marine, little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: volcano, limited coastal plains, two coral atolls
Natural resources pumice, pumicite
Natural hazards typhoons from December to March
Environmental issues limited natural fresh water

American Samoa, located within the geographical region of Oceania, is one of only two possessions of the United States in the Southern Hemisphere, the other being Jarvis Island. Its total land area is 76.8 square miles (199 km2)—slightly larger than Washington, D.C.—consisting of five rugged, volcanic islands and two coral atolls. The five volcanic islands are: Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta'u. The coral atolls are: Swains, and Rose Atoll. Of the seven islands, Rose Atoll is an uninhabited Marine National Monument.

Due to its positioning in the South Pacific Ocean, it is frequently hit by typhoons between December and March. Rose Atoll is the easternmost point of the territory. American Samoa is the southernmost part of the United States. American Samoa is home to the National Park of American Samoa.

See also


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