Page last updated on December 17, 2013

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references:
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Oceania
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
116 km
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
pumice, pumicite
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 9.5%
permanent crops: 15%
other: 75.5% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)
adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
54,719 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 207
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 25.2% (male 6,809/female 7,005)
15-24 years: 20.9% (male 5,657/female 5,760)
25-54 years: 41.5% (male 11,662/female 11,028)
55-64 years: 7.7% (male 2,096/female 2,134)
65 years and over: 4.7% (male 1,189/female 1,379) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 27.8 years
male: 28.3 years
female: 27.3 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.4% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.84 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.62 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-22.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 222
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 93% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
PAGO PAGO (capital) 64,000 (2011)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.86 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 9.15 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 150
male: 11.79 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 74.68 years
country comparison to the world: 106
male: 71.73 years
female: 77.8 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.04 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
74.6% (2007)
country comparison to the world: 1
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97% (1980 est.)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Dependency status:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967 (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
mixed legal system of US common law and customary law
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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 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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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 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: 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 6 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2014); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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)
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
AOSIS, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
none (territory of the US)
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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)
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$575.3 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 214
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$462.2 million (2005)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3% (2003)
country comparison to the world: 107
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$8,000 (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: NA%
industry: NA%
services: NA%
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
17,630 (2005)
country comparison to the world: 211
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
29.8% (2005)
country comparison to the world: 178
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $155.4 million (2007)
expenditures: $183.6 million (2007)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
33.6% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 74
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-6.1% of GDP (2007)
country comparison to the world: 177
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 October - 30 September
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA%
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$445.6 million (FY04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
canned tuna 93%
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$308.8 million (FY04 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$NA
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the US dollar is used
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
155 million kWh (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
147.9 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
60,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 182
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 103
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5,115 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,003 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 110
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
426,200 Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10,000 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 200
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
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:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.as
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2,387 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 161
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
NA
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 193
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 3
over 3,047 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 1
under 914 m: 1 (2013)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 241 km (2008)
country comparison to the world: 206
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Pago Pago
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 14,562
females age 16-49: 14,129 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 775
female: 762 (2010 est.)
Military:
Military - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
defense is the responsibility of the US