1995 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1995 (Project Gutenberg)
Geography
Area
total area: 199 sq km land area: 199 sq km comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Climate
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline
116 km
Environment
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; in many areas of the island water supplies come from roof catchments natural hazards: typhoons common from December to March international agreements: NA
International disputes
none
Irrigated land
NA sq km
Land boundaries
0 km
Land use
arable land: 10% permanent crops: 5% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 75% other: 10%
Location
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Map references
Oceania
Maritime claims
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural resources
pumice, pumicite
Note
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
Terrain
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
People and Society
Age structure
0-14 years: NA 15-64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Birth rate
36.21 births/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Death rate
4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Ethnic divisions
Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan 4%, other 5%
Infant mortality rate
18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)
Labor force
14,400 (1990) by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)
Languages
Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English; most people are bilingual
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 72.91 years male: 71.03 years female: 74.85 years (1995 est.)
Literacy
age 15 and over can read and write (1980) total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97%
Nationality
noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan
Net migration rate
6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1995 est.)
Population
57,366 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate
3.82% (1995 est.)
Religions
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant denominations and other 30%
Total fertility rate
4.3 children born/woman (1995 est.)
Government
Abbreviation
AS
Administrative divisions
none (territory of the US)
Capital
Pago Pago
Constitution
ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Digraph
AQ
Diplomatic representation in US
none (territory of the US)
Executive branch
chief of state: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) head of government: Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993); Lieutenant Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993); election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - A. P. LUTALI (Democrat) 53%, Peter Tali COLEMAN (Republican) 36%
Flag
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 staff and a war club
House of Representatives
elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - representatives popularly elected from 17 house districts; seats - (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegate from Swains Island)
Independence
none (territory of the US)
Judicial branch
High Court
Legal system
NA
Legislative branch
bicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono)
Member of
ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, SPC
Names
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa
National holiday
Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Political parties and leaders
NA
Senate
elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - senators elected by village chiefs from 12 senate districts; seats - (18 total) number of seats by party NA
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Type
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs
US diplomatic representation
none (territory of the US)
US House of Representatives
elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Economy
Agriculture
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas, dairy farming
Budget
revenues: $97 million (includes $43,000,000 in local revenue and $54,000,000 in grant revenue); expenditures: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90/91)
Currency
1 United States dollar = 100 cents
Economic aid
recipient: $21,042,650 in operational funds and $1,227,000 in construction funds for capital improvement projects from the US Department of Interior (1991)
Electricity
capacity: 30,000 kW production: 90 million kWh consumption per capita: 1,505 kWh (1993)
Exchange rates
US currency is used
Exports
$306 million (f.o.b., 1989) commodities: canned tuna 93% partners: US 99.6%
External debt
$NA
Fiscal year
1 October - 30 September
Imports
$360.3 million (c.i.f., 1989) commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6% partners: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%
Industrial production
growth rate NA%
Industries
tuna canneries (largely dependent on foreign fishing vessels), meat canning, handicrafts
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
7% (1990)
National product
GDP - purchasing power parity - $128 million (1991 est.)
National product per capita
$2,600 (1991)
National product real growth rate
NA%
Overview
Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. The tuna canneries and the government are by far the two largest employers. Other economic activities include a slowly developing tourist industry. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.
Unemployment rate
12% (1991)
Communications
Radio
broadcast stations: AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Telephone system
8,399 telephones; good telex, telegraph, and facsimile services local: NA intercity: NA international: 1 INTELSAT (Pacific Ocean) and 1 COMSAT earth station
Television
broadcast stations: 1 televisions: NA
Transportation
Airports
total: 4 with paved runways 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 with paved runways under 914 m: 3 note: small airstrips on Fituita and Ofu
Highways
total: 350 km paved: 150 km unpaved: 200 km
Merchant marine
none
Ports
Aanu'u (new construction), Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago, Ta'u
Railroads
0 km
Military and Security
Note
defense is the responsibility of the US ________________________________________________________________________ ANDORRA