Introduction
Background
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Geography
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Area (sq km)
total: 199 sq km
land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area - comparative (sq km)
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries (km)
0 km
Coastline (km)
116 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes (m)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Natural resources
pumice, pumicite
Land use (%)
arable land: 9.5%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75.5% (2011)
Irrigated land (sq km)
NA
Natural hazards
typhoons common from December to March
volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century
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
Geography - note
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
People and Society
Nationality
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)
adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic groups (%)
Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 est.)
Languages (%)
Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2%
note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Religions (%)
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Population
54,517 (July 2014 est.) evolution and prospects (1950-2100)
Age structure (%)
0-14 years: 24.9% (male 6,671/female 6,917)
15-24 years: 20.2% (male 5,468/female 5,565)
25-54 years: 41.7% (male 11,694/female 11,056)
55-64 years: 8.2% (male 2,211/female 2,260)
65 years and over: 4.9% (male 1,234/female 1,441) (2014 est.)
Median age (years)
total: 28.3 years
male: 28.8 years
female: 27.8 years (2014 est.)
Population growth rate (%)
-0.35% (2014 est.)
Birth rate (births/1,000 population)
22.87 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Death rate (deaths/1,000 population)
4.68 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Net migration rate (migrant(s)/1,000 population)
-21.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
Urbanization (%)
urban population: 93.2% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 1.87% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population
PAGO PAGO (capital) 64,000 (2011)
Sex ratio (male(s)/female)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 0.96 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 1 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
Infant mortality rate (deaths/1,000 live births)
total: 8.92 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 11.47 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.21 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
Life expectancy at birth (years)
total population: 74.91 years
male: 71.96 years
female: 78.04 years (2014 est.)
Total fertility rate (children born/woman)
2.98 children born/woman (2014 est.)
Drinking water source (% of population)
improved: urban: 100% of population
rural: 100% of population
total: 100% of population
unimproved: urban: 0% of population
rural: 0% of population
total: 0% of population (2012 est.)
Sanitation facility access (% of population)
improved: urban: 62.5% of population
rural: 62.5% of population
total: 62.5% of population
unimproved: urban: 37.5% of population
rural: 37.5% of population
total: 37.5% of population (2012 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate (%)
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate (%)
74.6% (2007)
Literacy (%)
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97% (1980 est.)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Dependency status
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type
NA
Capital
name: Pago Pago
geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
Independence
none (territory of the US)
National holiday
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution
ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967 (2013)
Legal system
mixed legal system of US common law and customary law
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)
head of government: Governor Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA (since 3 January 2013)
cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors
elections: 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 elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2012 with a runoff held on 20 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
election results: runoff election percent of vote - Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA 52.9%, Faoa Aitofele SUNIA 47.1%
Legislative branch
bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms) and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); Senate - last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18; House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 20
note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Judicial branch
highest court(s): High Court of American Samoa (consists of the chief justice, associate chief justice, and 6 Samoan associate judges and organized into trial, family, drug, and appellate divisions)
note - American Samoa has no US federal courts
judge selection and term of office: chief justice and associate chief justice appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior to serve for life; Samoan associate judges appointed by the governor to serve for life
subordinate courts: district and village courts
Political parties and leaders
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]
Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]
Political pressure groups and leaders
Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)
International organization participation
AOSIS, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US
none (territory of the US)
Flag description
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa
National anthem
name: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa)
lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA
note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
Economy
Economy - overview
American Samoa has 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 tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector with canned tuna the primary export. The two tuna canneries account for 80% of employment. 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 is overseeing 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 is a promising developing sector.
GDP (purchasing power parity)
$575.3 million (2007 est.)
$510.1 million (2003 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$462.2 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate (%)
3% (2003)
GDP - per capita (PPP)
$8,000 (2007 est.)
$5,800 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (%)
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Labor force
17,630 (2005)
Unemployment rate (%)
29.8% (2005)
Population below poverty line (%)
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share (%)
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget
revenues: $155.4 million
expenditures: $183.6 million (2007 est.)
Taxes and other revenues (% of GDP)
33.6% of GDP (2007)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) (% of GDP)
-6.1% of GDP (2007)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) (%)
NA%
Agriculture - products
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Industries
tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate (%)
NA%
Exports
$445.6 million (FY04 est.)
Exports - commodities (%)
canned tuna 93%
Imports
$308.8 million (FY04 est.)
Imports - commodities (%)
raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts
External debt ($)
$NA
Exchange rates
Currency converter
the US dollar is used
Fiscal year
1 October - 30 September
Energy
Electricity - production (kWh)
155 million kWh (2011 est.)
Electricity - consumption (kWh)
147.9 million kWh (2010 est.)
Electricity - exports (kWh)
0 kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - imports (kWh)
0 kWh (2012 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity (kW)
60,000 kW (2010 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels (% of total installed capacity)
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources (% of total installed capacity)
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
Crude oil - production (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
Crude oil - exports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - imports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves (bbl)
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption (bbl/day)
5,115 bbl/day (2011 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports (bbl/day)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports (bbl/day)
2,003 bbl/day (2010 est.)
Natural gas - production (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - consumption (cu m)
0 cu m (2010 est.)
Natural gas - exports (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - imports (cu m)
0 cu m (2011 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves (cu m)
0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy (Mt)
426,200 Mt (2011 est.)
Communications
Telephones - main lines in use
10,000 (2012)
Telephone system
general assessment: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services
domestic: domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)
Broadcast media
3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations (2009)
Internet country code
.as
Internet hosts
2,387 (2012)
Internet users
NA
Transportation
Airports
3 (2013)
Airports - with paved runways
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways (km)
total: 241 km (2008)
Ports and terminals
major seaport(s): Pago Pago
Military
Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49: 14,562
females age 16-49: 14,129 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male: 775
female: 762 (2010 est.)
Military - note
defense is the responsibility of the US
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international
Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olosega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution
Largest cities of American Samoa
These are the 50 largest cities of American Samoa ordered based on their number of inhabitants.
| # | City | Population |
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