2019 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

Land

224 sq km

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

Highest Point

Lata Mountain 964 m

Lowest Point

Pacific Ocean 0 m

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

Agricultural Land

21.9% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Arable Land

13.4% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Crops

8.5% (2016 est.)

Agricultural Land Permanent Pasture

0% (2016 est.)

Forest

78.1% (2016 est.)

Other

0% (2016 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)

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 Rural

100% of population

Improved Total

100% of population

Improved Urban

100% of population

Unimproved Rural

0% of population

Unimproved Total

0% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

0% of population

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.)

Infant Mortality Rate

Female

8.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

12.7 deaths/1,000 live births

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.)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Female

76.2 years

Male

71.6 years

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

Male

25.6 years

Total

26.1 years (2018 est.)

Nationality

Adjective

American Samoan

Noun

American Samoan(s) (US nationals)

Net Migration Rate

-26.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2018 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 Rural

62.5% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Total

62.5% of population (2015 est.)

Improved Urban

62.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Rural

37.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Total

37.5% of population (2015 est.)

Unimproved Urban

37.5% of population (2015 est.)

Sex Ratio

0 14 Years

1.06 male(s)/female

15 24 Years

1.01 male(s)/female

25 54 Years

0.98 male(s)/female

55 64 Years

0.97 male(s)/female

65 Years And Over

0.88 male(s)/female

At Birth

1.06 male(s)/female

Total Population

1 male(s)/female (2018 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

87.1% of total population (2019)

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

Time Difference

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

Citizenship

see United States Note: in accordance with US Code Title 8, Section 1408, persons born in American Samoa are US nationals but not US citizens

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

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

none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic Representation In The Us

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

republican form of government with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches; unincorporated unorganized territory of the US with local self-government

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)

National Anthem

Lyrics Music

Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA

Name

"Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa)

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, chairman] Republican Party [William SWORD, chairman]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

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

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

the US dollar is used

Exports

2015

$427 million

2016

$428 million

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

2014

$11,200

2015

$11,300

2016

$11,200

GDP Purchasing Power Parity

2014

$666.9 million

2015

$674.9 million

2016

$658 million

GDP Real Growth Rate

2014

1%

2015

1.2%

2016

-2.5%

Imports

2015

$657 million

2016

$615 million

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)

Industries

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

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

2014

1.4%

2015

-0.5%

Labor Force

17,850 (2015 est.)

Labor Force By Occupation

Industry

15.5%

Services

46.4% (2015 est.)

Public Debt

2016

12.2% of GDP

Taxes And Other Revenues

37.8% (of GDP) (2016 est.)

Unemployment Rate

2005

29.8%

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

361,100 Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2018 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

Electrification Rural Areas

45% (2012)

Electrification Total Population

59% (2012)

Electrification Urban Areas

60% (2012)

Population Without Electricity

22,219 (2012)

Electricity Consumption

157.2 million kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

98% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

43,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

169 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

2,375 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

2,346 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast Media

3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations

Internet Country Code

.as

Internet Users

Percent Of Population

31.3% (July 2016 est.)

Total

17,000

Telephone System

Domestic

18 per 100 fixed-line teledensity, domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station

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

International

country code - 1-684; landing points for the ASH, Southern Cross NEXT and Hawaiki providing connectivity to New Zealand, Australia, American Samoa, Hawaii, California, and SAS connecting American Samoa with Samoa; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean) (2019)

Telephones Fixed Lines

Subscriptions Per 100 Inhabitants

18 (July 2016 est.)

Total Subscriptions

10,000

Airports

3 (2016)

Airports With Paved Runways

914 To 1 523 M

1

Over 3 047 M

1

Total

3 (2019)

Under 914 M

1

Ports And Terminals

Pago Pago

Roadways

241 km (2008)

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