Skip to content. | Skip to navigation

 
Central Intelligence Agency
The Work of a Nation. The Center of Intelligence
World Factbook Title
navigation arrows
View Text Low Bandwidth Version Download Publication
Australia-Oceania :: American Samoa
(territory of the US)
page last updated on January 28, 2013
Flag of American Samoa
(CONTAINS DESCRIPTION)
Location of American Samoa
Click flag or map to enlarge Opens in New Window
 
Map of American Samoa
Click map to enlarge Opens in New Window
Photos of American Samoa
 
Navigation Arrow view 1 photo Opens in New Window
of American Samoa
Expand All | collapse All
Introduction ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Back to Top
Geography ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 199 sq km
country comparison to the world: 216
land: 199 sq km
water: 0 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
116 km
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
pumice, pumicite
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75% (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
typhoons common from December to March
volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Back to Top
People and Society ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)
adjective: American Samoan
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
54,947 (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0-14 years: 25.8% (male 7,004/ female 7,153)
15-64 years: 69.7% (male 19,413/ female 18,906)
65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,144/ female 1,327) (2012 est.)
population pyramid:
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 24 years
male: 23.9 years
female: 24.1 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-0.44% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 217
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
22.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 73
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
4.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-6.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
urban population: 93% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
PAGO PAGO (capital) 60,000 (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female
total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 150
male: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total population: 74.44 years
country comparison to the world: 105
male: 71.5 years
female: 77.56 years (2012 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3.1 children born/woman (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
74.6% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 1
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97% (1980 est.)
Back to Top
Government ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
name: Pago Pago
geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (territory of the US)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
ratified 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
mixed legal system of US common law and customary law
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
18 years of age; universal
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
(For more information visit the World Leaders website Opens in New Window)
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 election to be 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%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 20; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18
note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior); note - the High Court (or Supreme Court) is the highest court in America Samoa; there is no U.S. federal court there
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
AOSIS, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (territory of the US)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
none (territory of the US)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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)
Back to Top
Economy ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
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.
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$575.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 213
$510.1 million (2003 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$462.2 million (2005)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 113
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$8,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$5,800 (2005 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
17,630 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 211
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
agriculture: 34%
industry: 33%
services: 33% (1990)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
29.8% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 176
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
revenues: $155.4 million (FY07)
expenditures: $183.6 million (FY07)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
33.6% of GDP (FY07)
country comparison to the world: 79
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
-6.1% of GDP (FY07)
country comparison to the world: 172
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$445.6 million (FY04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 174
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
canned tuna 93%
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$308.8 million (FY04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
raw materials for canneries 56%, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
$NA
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
the US dollar is used
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
1 October - 30 September
Back to Top
Energy ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
190 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 185
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
176.7 million kWh (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 189
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
60,000 kW (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 41
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 75
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 105
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
5,115 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,697 bbl/day (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 117
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 109
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
688,800 Mt (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
Back to Top
Communications ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
10,400 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 200
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
general assessment: NA
domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations (2009)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
.as
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
2,387 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 161
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
NA
Back to Top
Transportation ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
3 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 194
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2012)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
total: 241 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 206
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Pago Pago
Back to Top
Military ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
males age 16-49: 14,562
females age 16-49: 14,129 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
male: 775
female: 762 (2010 est.)
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
defense is the responsibility of the US
Back to Top
Transnational Issues ::American Samoa
Field info displayed for all countries in alpha order.
Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution
Back to Top
Expand All | collapse All
  The online Factbook is updated weekly. ISSN 1553-8133
For additional information on government leaders in selected foreign countries, go to World Leaders.