2018 Edition

CIA World Factbook 2018 Archive (Wayback Machine)

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Countries

268

Data Records

69,324

American Samoa

2018 Edition · 214 data fields

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Introduction

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.

Geography

Area

land: 224 sq km
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
total: 224 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

0 m lowest point: Pacific Ocean
note: 964 highest point: Lata Mountain

Environment Current Issues

limited supply of drinking water; pollution; waste disposal; coastal and stream alteration; soil erosion

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

0 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

0 km

Land Use

arable land: 61.22% (2014 est.) / permanent crops: 38.78% (2014 est.) / permanent pasture: 0% (2014 est.)
agricultural land: 21.8% (2014 est.)
forest: 78.2% (2014 est.)
other: 0% (2014 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Oceania

Maritime Claims

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
territorial sea: 12 nm

Natural Hazards

cyclones common from December to Marchvolcanism: 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)

People and Society

Age Structure

0-14 years: 29.59% (male 7,732 /female 7,305)
15-24 years: 18.42% (male 4,695 /female 4,669)
25-54 years: 36.79% (male 9,255 /female 9,442)
55-64 years: 8.96% (male 2,244 /female 2,310)
65 years and over: 6.24% (male 1,486 /female 1,688) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

19 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Death Rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 100% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

Ethnic Groups

Pacific Islander 92.6% (includes Samoan 88.9%, Tongan 2.9%, other .8%), Asian 3.6% (includes Filipino 2.2%, other 1.4%), mixed 2.7%, other 1.2% (2010 est.)
note: data represent population by ethnic origin or race

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

Hiv Aids Deaths

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

Infant Mortality Rate

female: 8.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
male: 12.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)
total: 10.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

Samoan 88.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.9%, Tongan 2.7%, other Pacific islander 3%, other 1.8% (2010 est.)
note: most people are bilingual

Life Expectancy At Birth

female: 76.2 years (2018 est.)
male: 71.6 years (2018 est.)
total population: 73.9 years (2018 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

note: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes has been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses an important risk (a large number of cases possible) among US citizens if bitten by an infective mosquito; other less common ways to get Zika are through sex, via blood transfusion, or during pregnancy, in which the pregnant woman passes Zika virus to her fetus

Major Urban Areas Population

49,000 PAGO PAGO (capital) (2018)

Median Age

female: 26.5 years (2018 est.)
male: 25.6 years
total: 26.1 years

Nationality

adjective: American Samoan
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals)

Net Migration Rate

-26.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Population

50,826 (July 2018 est.)

Population Growth Rate

-1.35% (2018 est.)

Religions

Christian 98.3%, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.7% (2010 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 62.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 62.5% of population (2015 est.)

total: 62.5% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 37.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 37.5% of population (2015 est.)

total: 37.5% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
15-24 years: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
55-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
65 years and over: 0.85 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female (2017 est.)
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

2.57 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization: 0.07% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
urban population: 87.2% of total population (2018)

Government

Administrative Divisions

none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are 3 districts and 2 islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western

Capital

geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W
name: Pago Pago
note: pronounced "pahn-go pahn-go"
time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

note: see United States

Constitution

amendments: proposed by either house of the Legislative Assembly; passage requires three-fifths majority vote by the membership of each house, approval in a referendum, and approval by the US Secretary of the Interior; amended 1971, 1977, 1979 (2017)
history: adopted 17 October 1960; revised 1 July 1967 (2017)

Country Name

abbreviation: AS
conventional long form: American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
etymology: the name Samoa is composed of two parts, "sa" meaning "sacred" and "moa" meaning "center," so the name can mean Holy Center; alternatively, it can mean "place of the sacred moa bird" of Polynesian mythology

Dependency Status

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

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

note: none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

note: none (territory of the US)

Executive Branch

cabinet: Cabinet consists of 12 department directors appointed by the governor with the consent of the Legislature or Fono
chief of state: President Donald J. TRUMP (since 20 January 2017); Vice President Michael R. PENCE (since 20 January 2017)
election results: Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA reelected governor in first round; percent of vote - Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA (independent) 60.2%, Faoa Aitofele SUNIA (Democratic Party) 35.8%, Tuika TUIKA (independent) 4%
elections/appointments: president and vice president indirectly elected on the same ballot by an Electoral College of 'electors' chosen from each state to serve a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); 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 directly elected on the same ballot by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)
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 2 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 US and American Samoa

Government Type

presidential democracy; a self-governing territory of the US

Independence

none (territory of the US)

International Organization Participation

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

Judicial Branch

highest courts: 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
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

description: bicameral Legislature or Fono consists of:Senate (18 seats; members indirectly selected by regional governing councils to serve 4-year terms)House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members directly elected by simple majority vote and 1 decided by public meeting on Swains Island; members serve 2-year terms)
election results: Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independent 18; composition - men 17, women 1, percent of women 9.5%House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; composition - men 14, women 7, percent of women 33.3%; note - total percent of women in Legislature 20.5%
elections: Senate - last held on 8 November 2016 (next to be held in November 2020)House of Representatives - last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)
note: American Samoa elects 1 member by simple majority vote to serve a 2-year term as a delegate to the US House of Representatives; the delegate can vote when serving on a committee and when the House meets as the Committee of the Whole House, but not when legislation is submitted for a “full floor” House vote; election of delegate last held on 6 November 2018 (next to be held in November 2020)

National Anthem

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

National Holiday

Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

National Symbol S

a fue (coconut fiber fly whisk; representing wisdom) crossed with a to'oto'o (staff; representing authority); national colors: red, white, blue

Political Parties And Leaders

Democratic Party [Fagafaga Daniel LANGKILDE]Republican Party [Utu Abe MALAE, chairman]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Economy

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures: 262.5 million (2016 est.)
revenues: 249 million (2016 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-2.1% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Debt External

note: NA

Economy Overview

American Samoa s 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 processing are the backbone of the private sector with processed fish products as the primary exports. The fish processing business accounted for 15.5% of employment in 2015.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 oversaw 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 has some potential as a source of income and jobs.

Exchange Rates

note: the US dollar is used

Exports

$428 million (2016 est.)

$427 million (2015 est.)

Exports Commodities

canned tuna 93%

Exports Partners

Australia 25%, Ghana 19%, Indonesia 15.6%, Burma 10.4%, Portugal 5.1% (2017)

Fiscal Year

1 October - 30 September

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services: 65% (2016 est.)
government consumption: 49.7% (2016 est.)
household consumption: 66.4% (2016 est.)
imports of goods and services: -93.5% (2016 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 7.3% (2016 est.)
investment in inventories: 5.1% (2016 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture: 27.4% (2012)
industry: 12.4% (2012)
services: 60.2% (2012)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$658 million (2016 est.) (2016 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$11,200 (2016 est.)

$11,300 (2015 est.)

$11,200 (2014 est.)

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$658 million (2016 est.); $674.9 million (2015 est.); $666.9 million (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 US dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

-2.5% (2016 est.)

1.2% (2015 est.)

1% (2014 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%: NA
lowest 10%: NA

Imports

$615 million (2016 est.)

$657 million (2015 est.)

Imports Commodities

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

Imports Partners

Fiji 10.7%, Singapore 10.4%, NZ 10.4%, South Korea 9.3%, Samoa 8.2%, Kenya 6.4%, Australia 5.2% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

-0.5% (2015 est.)

1.4% (2014 est.)

Labor Force

17,850 (2015 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

agriculture: NA
industry: 15.5%
services: 46.4% (2015 est.)

Population Below Poverty Line

Public Debt

12.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

37.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment Rate

29.8% (2005)

Energy

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 Users

percent of population: 31.3% (July 2016 est.)
total: 17,000 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic: 18 per 100 fixed-line teledensity, domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station (2017)
general assessment: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; one of the most complete and modern telecommunications systems in the South Pacific Islands; all inhabited islands have telephone connectivity (2017)
international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 18 (July 2016 est.)
total subscriptions: 10,000 (July 2016 est.)

Transportation

Airports

3 (2016)

Airports With Paved Runways

914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2017)
over 3,047 m: 1 (2017)
total: 3 (2017)
under 914 m: 1 (2017)

Ports And Terminals

major seaport(s): Pago Pago

Roadways

total: 241 km (2008)

Military and Security

Military Note

defense is the responsibility of the US

Transnational Issues

Disputes International

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