Geography of Samoa

Map of Samoa
Topography of Samoa.
South east coast of Savai'i island.

The independent country of Samoa consists of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai'i and 8 smaller islands located about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific.

The island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population and its capital city of Apia. The climate is tropical, with a rainy season from November to April.

To the East is the smaller American Samoa, see also Geography of American Samoa.

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 / 13.583°S 172.333°W / -13.583; -172.333Coordinates: 13°35′S 172°20′W / 13.583°S 172.333°W / -13.583; -172.333

Map references: Oceania

Area:

  • total: 2,944 km2 (1,137 sq mi)
  • land: 2,934 km2 (1,133 sq mi)
  • water: 10 km2 (3.9 sq mi)

Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Rhode Island

Land boundaries: 0 km2 (0 sq mi)

Coastline: 403 km (250 mi)

Maritime claims:

  • exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles (370 km; 230 mi)
  • territorial sea: 12 nautical miles (22 km; 14 mi)
Islands of Nu'ulopa (left) and Apolima (right) with Savai'i in the distance.

Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)

Terrain: Two main islands Savai'i and Upolu, with settlements on Manono and Apolima in the Apolima Strait between Savai'i and Upolu. A small uninhabited island Namua sits between Manono and Apolima. Off the east end of Upolu are the Aleipata Islands, small uninhabited islets; The terrain of the two main islands are narrow coastal plains with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior.

Elevation extremes:

Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower

Falefa Valley on Upolu island.

Land use:

  • arable land: 21.2%
  • permanent crops: 24.38%
  • other: 54.42%

Irrigated land: NA km²

longest river: ?

Natural hazards: occasional cyclones; active volcanism

Environment - current issues: soil erosion, deforestation, invasive species, overfishing

Environment - international agreements:

Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia

See also

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