Samoa Geography:
Location:
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
13 35 S, 172 20 W
Map references:
Area:
total:
2,944 sq km
land:
2,934 sq km
water:
10 sq km
Area - comparative:
Slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
total: 0 km
border countries: NA
Coastline:
403 km
Maritime claims:
territorial sea: 12 NM
exclusive economic zone: 200 NM
Climate:
Tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Terrain:
Two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m (Savaii)
Natural resources:
Hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
Land use:
arable land: 21.2%
permanent crops: 24.38%
other: 54.42%
(2001)
Irrigated land:
NA
Natural hazards:
Occasional typhoons; active volcanism
Environment - current issues:
Soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements (not ratified)
Geography - Note:
Occupies an almost central position within Polynesia |
