American Samoa
Territory of American Samoa
Location of American Samoa
Facts
— Population: 57,496 (July 2008 est.)
— Capital: Pago Pago
— Area: 199 sq km
— Highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
— Languages: —
— Religion: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
— Life expectancy: male: 72.9 years; female: 80.21 years (2008 est.)
— Currency: US dollar (USD)
— Internet domain: .as
— International dialling code: +1-684
— Capital: Pago Pago
— Area: 199 sq km
— Highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
— Languages: —
— Religion: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
— Life expectancy: male: 72.9 years; female: 80.21 years (2008 est.)
— Currency: US dollar (USD)
— Internet domain: .as
— International dialling code: +1-684
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was 'discovered' by European explorers in 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 harbour of Pago Pago - the following year.
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).
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. 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.
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).
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. 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.