2013 Edition

Background

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.

Area

199 sq km 199 sq km 0 sq km includes Rose Island and Swains Island

total

199 sq km

water

0 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Washington, DC

Climate

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

Coastline

116 km

Elevation extremes

Pacific Ocean 0 m Lata Mountain 964 m

highest point

Lata Mountain 964 m

lowest point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Geographic coordinates

14 20 S, 170 00 W

Geography - 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

Irrigated land

NA

Land boundaries

0 km

Land use

9.5% 15% 75.5% (2011)

arable land

9.5%

other

75.5% (2011)

permanent crops

15%

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand

Map references

Oceania

Maritime claims

12 nm 200 nm

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

typhoons common from December to March limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century

volcanism

limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century

Natural resources

pumice, pumicite

Terrain

five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)

Age structure

25.2% (male 6,809/female 7,005) 20.9% (male 5,657/female 5,760) 41.5% (male 11,662/female 11,028) 7.7% (male 2,096/female 2,134) 4.7% (male 1,189/female 1,379) (2013 est.)

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.)

Birth rate

22.84 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Death rate

4.62 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Education expenditures

NA

Ethnic groups

native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Infant mortality rate

9.15 deaths/1,000 live births 11.79 deaths/1,000 live births 6.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

female

6.34 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)

total

9.15 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% most people are bilingual (2000 census)

Life expectancy at birth

74.68 years 71.73 years 77.8 years (2013 est.)

female

77.8 years (2013 est.)

total population

74.68 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 97% 98% 97% (1980 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

97% (1980 est.)

male

98%

total population

97%

Major urban areas - population

PAGO PAGO (capital) 64,000 (2011)

Median age

27.8 years 28.3 years 27.3 years (2013 est.)

female

27.3 years (2013 est.)

male

28.3 years

total

27.8 years

Nationality

American Samoan(s) (US nationals) American Samoan

adjective

American Samoan

noun

American Samoan(s) (US nationals)

Net migration rate

-22.17 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

74.6% (2007)

Population

54,719 (July 2013 est.)

Population growth rate

-0.4% (2013 est.)

Religions

Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1.06 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.86 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

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

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.04 children born/woman (2013 est.)

Urbanization

93% of total population (2010) 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

93% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Pago Pago 14 16 S, 170 42 W UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

14 16 S, 170 42 W

name

Pago Pago

time difference

UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

ratified 2 June 1966, effective 1 July 1967 (2013)

Country name

Territory of American Samoa American Samoa AS

abbreviation

AS

conventional long form

Territory of American Samoa

conventional short form

American Samoa

Dependency status

unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Diplomatic representation from the US

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation in the US

none (territory of the US)

Executive branch

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) Governor Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA (since 3 January 2013) Cabinet made up of 12 department directors 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) runoff election percent of vote - Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA 52.9%, Faoa Aitofele SUNIA 47.1%

cabinet

Cabinet made up of 12 department directors

chief of state

President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009)

election results

runoff election percent of vote - Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA 52.9%, Faoa Aitofele SUNIA 47.1%

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)

head of government

Governor Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA (since 3 January 2013)

Flag description

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

Government type

NA

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International organization participation

AOSIS, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU

Judicial branch

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) note - American Samoa has no US federal courts 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 district and village courts

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

Legal system

mixed legal system of US common law and customary law

Legislative branch

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) 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) 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 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

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

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)

National anthem

"Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa) Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)

lyrics/music

Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA

name

"Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa)

National holiday

Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU] Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock

Budget

$155.4 million (2007) $183.6 million (2007)

expenditures

$183.6 million (2007)

revenues

$155.4 million (2007)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.1% of GDP (2007)

Debt - external

$NA

Economy - overview

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.

Exchange rates

the US dollar is used

Exports

$445.6 million (FY04 est.)

Exports - commodities

canned tuna 93%

Fiscal year

1 October - 30 September

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

NA% NA% NA%

agriculture

NA%

industry

NA%

services

NA%

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$8,000 (2007 est.) $5,800 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2003)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$462.2 million (2005)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$575.3 million (2007 est.) $510.1 million (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

NA% NA%

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Imports

$308.8 million (FY04 est.)

Imports - commodities

raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

NA%

Labor force

17,630 (2005)

Population below poverty line

NA%

Taxes and other revenues

33.6% of GDP (2007)

Unemployment rate

29.8% (2005)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

426,200 Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2013 es)

Electricity - consumption

147.9 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

60,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

155 million kWh (2011 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,115 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,003 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

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

.as

Internet hosts

2,387 (2012)

Internet users

NA

Telephone system

good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)

domestic

domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station

general assessment

good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services

international

country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)

Telephones - main lines in use

10,000 (2012)

Airports

3 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

1

over 3,047 m

1

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Ports and terminals

Pago Pago

major seaport(s)

Pago Pago

Roadways

241 km (2008)

total

241 km (2008)

Manpower fit for military service

14,562 14,129 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

14,129 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

14,562

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

762 (2010 est.)

female

762 (2010 est.)

male

775

Military - note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Disputes - international

Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olosega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution