GEOGRAPHY
Location:
Oceania, archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, about two-thirds
of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 20 00 S, 175 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 748 sq km
land area: 718 sq km
comparative area: four times the size of Washington, DC
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 419 km
Maritime claims:
continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical; modified by trade winds; warm season
(December to May), cool season (May to December)
Terrain: most islands have limestone base formed from uplifted
coral formation; others have limestone overlying volcanic base
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: on Kao Island 1,033 m
Natural resources: fish, fertile soil
Land use:
arable land: 25%
permanent crops: 55%
meadows and pastures: 6%
forest and woodland: 12%
other: 2%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: deforestation results as more and more
land is being cleared for agriculture and settlement; some damage
to coral reefs from starfish and indiscriminate coral and shell
collectors; overhunting threatens native sea turtle populations
natural hazards: cyclones (October to April); earthquakes
and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou
international agreements: party to - Marine Life Conservation,
Nuclear Test Ban, Whaling; signed, but not ratified - Law of the
Sea
Geographic note: archipelago of 170 islands (36 inhabited)
