TOURIST ATTRACTIONS

The territory's capital Pago Pago is an alluring mix of the bad things and the dramatically beautiful ones. The harbour is polluted and there are some litterin the streets. Usually though, the area offers visitors a reasonably pleasant, light-industrial, small-town experience. The harbour is surrounded by high, almost wicked-looking mountains that plunge straight into the sea. The National Park of American Samoa (Ta'u) occupies 2160 hectares (5335 acres) of land, including a spectacular escarpment along the southern side, cliffs as high as 900m (2952ft), and the impressive Judds Crater. The protected lowland and rainforest host fruit bats and many native birds. Ofu is the most dramatic and beautiful of the Manu'a Islands. It's the easiest to visit and the one most often seen by outsiders. Ofu's crown jewel is its south-coast beach - the 4km (2.5mi) stretch of white sand is one of the most beautiful in the South Pacific. Bring your snorkelling equipment: there are over 150 types of fish-rich coral to explore.

TRAVEL TIPS

Most visits to American Samoa are trouble-free. The level of both serious and petty crime is low. The tropical cyclone season from November to April can seriously affect local travel. If you are contemplating sea journeys in particular during this period you should obtain a weather report from a marine weather web site, such as from the World Meteorological Organisation at: http://www.wmo.ch/index-en.html. Most visitors from developed countries visiting American Samoa are normally given permission to enter for up to 30 days without entry visas, provided they have an onward air or sea ticket and relevant health certificates. Women should be aware that those in an advanced state of pregnancy should bring with them documentation from a medical professional attesting to their stage of pregnancy. The Immigration Office in American Samoa is not allowing entry to women who are six months or more pregnant.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling to American Samoa. Medical facilities are basic , therefore in the event of a medical emergency, evacuation to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii is likely to be the only option for treatment, and insurance policies should cover this eventuality. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. You should seek medical advice before travelling and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.

HISTORY

Originally inhabited as early as 1000 BC, Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. Early Western contact included a battle in the 18th century between French explorers and islanders in Tutuila, for which the Samoans were blamed in the West, giving them a reputation for ferocity. 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. During World War II, U.S. Marines in American Samoa outnumbered the local population, having a huge cultural influence. Young Samoan men from the age of 14 and above were combat trained by US military personnel.The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

GEOGRAPHY

Area: total: 199 sq km; land: 199 sq km; water: 0 sq km.
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.
Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island).
Natural Resources: pumice, pumicite.
Natural Hazards: typhoons common from December to March.
Environmental Problems: limited natural fresh water resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines.

PEOPLE

Population: 58,000.
Median Age: total: 23.2 years; male: 22.9 years; female: 23.4 years.
Life Expectancy: male- 72.48 years, female- 79.82 years.
Fertility Rate: 3.16 children born per woman.
Major Ethnic Groups: native Pacific islander 92.9%, Asian 2.9%, white 1.2%, mixed 2.8%, other 0.2%.
Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%.
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).

GOVERNMENT

Type: unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior (Territory of American Samoa).
Capital City: Pago Pago.
Time Difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time). Check current time.
Administrative Divisions: none (territory of the US).
National Holiday: Flag Day, 17 April (1900).
Chief of State: President of the USA.
Head of Government: Governor.
Cabinet: 12 department directors.
Legislative Branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats) and the Senate (18 seats).

ECONOMY

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 foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. 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.
GDP: $510.1 million, Growth Rate: 3%, GDP Per Capita: $5,800.
Unemployment Rate: 30%
Population Below Powerty Line: N/A
Agriculture Products: bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock.
Major Industries: tuna canneries (largely supplied by foreign fishing vessels), handicrafts.
Export Commodities: canned tuna 93%.
Export Partners: Indonesia 28.2%, India 22.3%, Australia 15.3%, Japan 11.2%, NZ 7.1%.
Import Commodities: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6%.
Import Partners: Australia 66%, Samoa 13.8%, NZ 10.8%.
Currency: US dollar (USD). Check current rate of exchange.

TRANSPORT

Airports: 3
Roadways: 185 km.
Major Ports and Terminals: Pago Pago.