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Where is American Samoa located?

What countries border American Samoa?

American Samoa Weather

What is the current weather in American Samoa?


American Samoa Facts and Culture

What is American Samoa famous for?

  • Cultural Attributes: A very basic ingredient in Samoa life is the aiga (the family). At the head of each aiga is the... More
  • Family: The aiga is headed by a matai and consists of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption More
  • Personal Apperance: The traditional lavalava (a straight, one-piece wraparound skirt) is worn by both men and women. In business and formal settings,... More
  • Recreation: Recreation in American Samoa encompasses a mix of traditional activities, outdoor pursuits, and modern forms of entertainment. The people of... More
  • Diet: The traditional diet of American Samoa is based on locally available ingredients, including a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood,... More
  • Food and Recipes: Traditional Samoan foods included taro root, yams, bananas, coconuts, breadfruit, fish, turtle, and chicken. Even though pigs are raised, pork... More
  • Visiting: The local culture emphasizes respect, family values, and communal harmony. Here are some customs and practices associated with visiting in... More
  • Dating: The dating scene in American Samoa tends to reflect a more conservative approach compared to Western cultures. Here are some... More

American Samoa Facts

What is the capital of American Samoa?

Capital Pago Pago (pronounced pahn-go pahn-go)
Government Type unincorporated, unorganized Territory of the US with local self-government; republican form of territorial government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches
Currency US Dollar (USD)
Total Area 77 Square Miles
199 Square Kilometers
Location Oceania, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand
Language Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English

Note: Most people are bilingual
GDP - real growth rate -2.4%
GDP - per capita (PPP) $13,000.00 (USD)

American Samoa Demographics

What is the population of American Samoa?

Ethnic Group - note data represent population by ethnic origin or race
Ethnic Groups Pacific Islander 88.7% (includes Samoan 83.2%, Tongan 2.2%, other 3.3%), Asian 5.8% (includes Filipino 3.4%, other 2.4%), mixed 4.4%, other 1.1%
Language - note most people are bilingual
Languages Samoan 87.9% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.3%, Tongan 2.1%, other Pacific Islander 4.1%, Asian languages 2.1%, other 0.5%
Nationality Noun noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)

adjective: American Samoan
Population 43,895
Population Growth Rate -1.54%
Population in Major Urban Areas 49,000 PAGO PAGO (capital)
Urban Population urban population: 87.2% of total population

rate of urbanization: 0.26% annual rate of change
Population: Male/Female male: 21,804

female: 22,091

American Samoa Government

What type of government does American Samoa have?

Executive Branch chief of state: President Joseph R. BIDEN Jr. (since 20 January 2021); Vice President Kamala D. HARRIS (since 20 January 2021)

head of government: Governor Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (since 3 January 2021)

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 department directors appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature or Fono

elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 3 November 2020 (next to be held in November 2024)

election results:

Lemanu Peleti MAUGA elected governor in first round; percent of vote - Lemanu Peleti MAUGA (independent) 60.3%, Gaoteote Palaie TOFAU (independent) 21.9%, I'aulualo Fa'afetai TALIA (independent) 12.3%
Suffrage 18 years of age; universal
Citizenship see United States

Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens
National Holiday Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution history: adopted 17 October 1960; revised 1 July 1967

amendments: proposed by either house of the Legislative Assembly; passage requires three-fifths majority vote by the membership of each house, approval by simple majority vote in a referendum, approval by the US Secretary of the Interior, and only by an act of the US Congress; amended several times, last in 2021
Independence none (territory of the US)

American Samoa Video

YouTube: TrekkingThePlanet American Samoa

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American Samoa Geography

What environmental issues does American Samoa have?

Climate Tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Environment - Current Issues Limited natural freshwater resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Terrain Five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)

American Samoa Economy

How big is the American Samoa economy?

Economic Overview American Samoa is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and processing are the backbone of the private sector with processed fish products as the primary exports. The fish processing business accounted for 15.5% of employment in 2015.

In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency oversaw a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.

Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism has some potential as a source of income and jobs.
Industries Tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Currency Name and Code US Dollar (USD)
Export Partners United States 100%

American Samoa News and Current Events

What current events are happening in American Samoa?
Source: Google News

American Samoa Travel Information

What makes American Samoa a unique country to travel to?

Languages

Samoan 87.9% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.3%, Tongan 2.1%, other Pacific Islander 4.1%, Asian languages 2.1%, other 0.5%

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