American Samoa

Country Profile: American Samoa

Official Name: Territory of American Samoa

Capital: Pago Pago

Geography:

American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of (the independent nation of) Samoa. It consists of five main islands and two coral atolls.

Area: Approximately 199 square kilometers (approximately 77 square miles).

Population: Approximately 55,000 people (as of 2023 estimate).

Language: English and Samoan are both official languages.

Climate:

American Samoa has a tropical climate all year round with two distinct seasons: the wet season from December to March and the dry season from April to September.

Economy:

American Samoa’s economy is strongly dependent on the United States with tuna canneries, the government sector, and remittances from Samoans living in the U.S. being the main contributors to the economy.

Government:

As a territory of the United States, the inhabitants of American Samoa are U.S. nationals but not U.S. citizens, and they are represented in the U.S. House of Representatives by a non-voting delegate.

Education:

Education is free and compulsory for children aged 5-18. The education system is similar to that in the U.S.

Culture:

The culture of American Samoa is almost the same as the culture of Western Samoa (Upolu and Savaii). The Samoan way, or “fa’a Samoa”, is a traditional way of life that places strong emphasis on family ties, respect for elders and love of country.

Noteworthy Facts:

The national park in American Samoa is one of the most remote in the U.S. It’s also the only U.S. national park south of the equator.

This is a general overview of American Samoa. There’s much more to learn about this territory, from its tropical ecosystems to its vibrant Polynesian culture.