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Geography and Environment of American Samoa
Terrain, climate, natural resources, hazards, and environmental conditions of American Samoa.
Speed
Overview
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
Detailed geography
Physical Features
- Terrain
- five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
- 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
- Highest Point
- 966 — Lata 966 m
- Lowest Point
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
Borders and Area
- Area (Comparative)
- slightly larger than Washington, DC
- Maritime Claims
- territorial sea: 12 NM exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Natural Resources and Hazards
- Natural Resources
- pumice, pumicite
- Natural Hazards
- typhoons common from December to March
Environment and Land Use
- Current Environmental 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