Global InformationAmerican Samoa information
American Samoa Amerika Sāmoa (Samoan) | |
|---|---|
Unincorporated and unorganized U.S. territory | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Motto: "Sāmoa, Muamua Le Atua" (Samoan) (English: "Samoa, Let God Be First") | |
| Anthem: "Amerika Samoa" | |
 Location of American Samoa (circled in red) | |
| Sovereign state |  United States[a] |
| Partition of Samoa | December 2, 1899 |
| Ratification Act | February 20, 1929 |
| Current constitution | July 1, 1967 |
| Capital | Pago Pago[b] |
| Government seat | Fagatogo[b] |
| Largest village | Tafuna |
| Official languages |
|
| Ethnic groups |
|
| Religion |
|
| Demonym(s) | American Samoan |
| Government | Devolved presidential constitutional dependency |
• President | Joe Biden (D) |
• Governor | Lemanu Peleti Mauga (D) |
• Lieutenant Governor | Salo Ale (D) |
| Legislature | Fono |
• Upper house | Senate |
• Lower house | House of Representatives |
| United States Congress | |
• House delegate | Amata Coleman Radewagen (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 77 sq mi (200 km2) |
• Water (%) | 0 |
| Highest elevation | 966.2 m (3,170 ft) |
| Population | |
• 2023 estimate | 44,620[1] (211th) |
• 2020 census | 49,710[2] |
• Density | 670.8/sq mi (259.0/km2) |
| GDP (PPP) | 2021 estimate |
• Total | $709 million[3] |
• Per capita | $15,743[1][4] |
| Currency | United States dollar (US$) (USD) |
| Time zone | UTC−11:00 (SST) |
| Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +1-684 |
| USPS abbreviation | AS |
| ISO 3166 code |
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| Internet TLD | .as |
American Samoa[c] is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the island country of Samoa.[1] Centered on 14°18′S 170°42′W / 14.3°S 170.7°W, it is east of the International Date Line and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 500 kilometers (310 mi) south of Tokelau. American Samoa is the southernmost territory of the United States and one of two U.S. territories south of the Equator, along with the uninhabited Jarvis Island.
American Samoa consists of five main islands and two coral atolls; the largest and most populous island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll and Swains Island also included in the territory. All islands except for Swains Island are part of the Samoan Islands, and the total land area is 199 square kilometers (76.8 sq mi), slightly more than Washington, D.C. As of 2022, the population of American Samoa is approximately 45,443 people, of whom the vast majority are indigenous ethnic Samoans.[1] Most American Samoans are bilingual and can speak English and Samoan fluently.[1][5]
Inhabited by Polynesians since prehistoric times, American Samoa was first contacted by Europeans in the 18th century. The islands attracted missionaries, explorers, and mariners, particularly to its highly protected natural harbor of Pago Pago. The United States took possession of American Samoa in the late 19th century, developing it into a major naval outpost; its strategic value was reinforced by the Second World War and subsequent Cold War. In 1967, the territory became self-governing with the adoption of a constitution; into the 21st century, it remains unorganized and thus directly administered by the federal government. It has been a member of the Pacific Community since 1983.
Due to its strategic location, the U.S. military has a significant presence in American Samoa and plays a major role in its economy and society. The territory is noted for having the highest rate of military enlistment of any U.S. state or territory; as of 2021, the local U.S. Army recruiting station in Pago Pago ranked first in recruitment.[6][7] Tuna products are the main exports, with the U.S. proper serving as the largest trading partner. Tourism is a nascent but underdeveloped sector, owing in part to the territory's relative geographic isolation, which also accounts for its high rate of poverty and emigration.
Residents of American Samoa are politically disenfranchised, with no voting representation in the U.S. Congress. American Samoa is the only permanently inhabited territory of the United States in which citizenship is not granted at birth, and people born there are considered "non-citizen nationals" with limited rights.
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- ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference
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worldbankwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Gross domestic product for American Samoa increases for the second year in a row" (PDF). Bureau of Economic Analysis. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 13, 2017. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
- ^ "American Samoans' strong military tradition". KIRO 7 News Seattle. May 27, 2021. Archived from the original on April 27, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ "Local US Army recruiting station ranked #1 in the world – Samoa News". Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.