Geography of Samoa
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°WCoordinates: 13°35′S 172°20′W / 13.583°S 172.333°W
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)
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:
- lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m (0 ft)
- highest point: Mauga Silisili 1,857 m (6,093 ft)
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
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:
- 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
Geography - note: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia