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
The Samoans are a branch of the Polynesian people (see Polynesia). Their language is considered to be one of the oldest forms of Polynesian used today. Most Samoans also speak English. The majority of Samoans are Christians; though some of the practices of their traditional, animistic religions may still be followed, these traditional religions have virtually disappeared. Samoan society is organized around the extended family, or aigu, headed by a chief. Traditional houses have oval, thatched roofs and are supported on wooden poles. Foreigners, including Americans, are prohibited by local laws from buying Samoan-owned land. Many Samoans have migrated to Hawaii and the continental United States.
Education is free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 18. Instruction is provided by 30 public primary schools and 6 private schools, about 160 village schools, for early education, and a community college. In the consolidated public elementary schools, television is used for instruction purposes.
Samoa Islands were the original home of the Polynesian race, from which colonists peopled the other Polynesian islands of the Pacific. Ethnologists, however, now believe that two separate waves of immigrants populated the islands, the first group probably originating in southeastern Asia. The later migration displaced the original Samoans, who then began to colonize the more easterly islands of Polynesia. The first European to visit the islands in 1722 was Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch navigator. In 1768 Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French explorer, named the group the Navigators Islands. During the 19th century Germany, Britain, and the United States established commercial posts on the islands. In 1878 the United States annexed Pago Pago for use as a naval coaling station. In 1888 native disturbances resulting from the selection of a king created a crisis among the three powers. The matter was settled by the Act of Berlin in 1889, which proclaimed the independence and neutrality of the islands and guaranteed the natives full liberty in the election of their king. In 1899, during the course of a native civil war, the United States and Britain formed an alliance against Germany, and Apia, the site of the German station, was shelled by British and U.S. ships. Agreement, however, was reached in the same year.
Agriculture is a principal occupation, and tuna fishing and tourism are major industries. The most important crops include taro, coconuts, bananas, oranges, pineapples, papayas, breadfruit, and yams. Additional food must be imported. Canned tuna as well as grass mats and other handicrafts are exported. The economy, however, remains largely dependent upon grants and appropriations by the Congress of the United States. Regular shipping services connect American Samoa with the mainland United States, Fiji, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
the largest island of the group, covers an area of 143 sq km (55 sq mi). In 1990 Tutuila’s population was 45,043. Pago Pago (1990 population, 3,519), on Tutuila, is the seat of government of American Samoa and has one of the finest harbors in the South Pacific. The total area of American Samoa is 200 sq km (77 sq mi); in 2001 the population was estimated to be 67,084.
This 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 the great bulk of its foreign trade. 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, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia.
domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA]
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)
head of government: Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1997) and Lieutenant Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 3 January 1997)
cabinet: NA
elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8%
Legislative branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - only independents elected
note: American Samoa elects one delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate for a sixth term
Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
International organization Member
ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
defense is the responsibility of the US
None
Time and Date in Pago Pago
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