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:
Oceania
Area:
total area:
2,860 sq km
land area:
2,850 sq km
comparative area:
slightly smaller than Rhode Island
Land boundaries:
0 km
Coastline:
403 km
Maritime claims:
exclusive economic zone:
200 nm
territorial sea:
12 nm
International disputes:
none
Climate:
tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October)
Terrain:
narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior
lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point:
Mauga Silisili 1,857 m
Natural resources:
hardwood forests, fish
Land use:
arable land:
19%
permanent crops:
24%
meadows and pastures:
0%
forest and woodland:
47%
other:
10%
Irrigated land:
NA sq km
Environment:
current issues:
soil erosion
natural hazards:
occasional typhoons; active volcanism
international agreements:
party to - Biodiversity, Climate Change, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection
