The Flora and Vegetation of Swains Island

Swains I s l a n d i s an i s o l a t e d a t o l l l y i n g about 270 km n o r t h of Samoa. Although g e o g r a p h i c a l l y and f l o r i s t i c a l l y a p a r t of t h e Tokelau I s l a n d s 160 km t o t h e n o r t h w e s t , i t be longs p o l i t i c a l l y t o t h e T e r r i t o r y o f American Samoa. The i s l a n d l i e s a t a l a t i t u d e of 11°03 ' S and a l o n g i t u d e o f 171°03' W. It h a s an a r e a of 210 h a and a maximum e l e v a t i o n of less t h a n 6 m (F ig . 1 ) .