American Samoa, located in the South Pacific Ocean, is an unincorporated territory of the United States. It became a territory in the year 1900. It is part of the Samoan Island chain and can be found halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. It is west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga and south of Tokelau. The land area is 77 square Kilometers, slightly larger than that of Washington DC. The territory capital is Pago Pago and Tutuila is the largest and most populous island. Its location between Hawaii and New Zealand forms a strategic midpoint on vital shipping and air routes.
American Samoa is one of only two possessions belonging to the United States in the Southern Hemisphere. The territory doesn’t have a territory bird, but its territory flower is the Paogo. Its motto is the words Samoa - "Muamua Le Atua" which mean "Samoa - Let God Be First". The territory’s flag illustrates the red, white and blue colors from the American flag as well as the bald eagle, the symbol of the United States. It also features the Samoan symbols of a flywhisk and a ceremonial dancing knife.
Although European explorers only discovered the Samoan Islands in the eighteenth century, it is believed that the land was inhabited as early as 1000BC. Samoa had initially been under Manua’s occupation after which came the Tu’i Manu’a Empire in Samoa. Many years later, Tonga took rule over Samoa until Samoa was finally able to free itself.
Following the European arrival, John Williams of the London Missionary Society introduced the Samoan’s to Christianity. The residents welcomed this new religion, and within forty years, the Samoans were sending missionaries to Melanesia. In the twentieth century, the Samoan Congregationalist Church became the first independent indigenous church in the South Pacific.
In 1889, a German naval force invaded the island of Samoa, ruining some American property. Three American warships then entered the Samoan harbor, prepared to fire at the German warships. However, before they had a chance, a typhoon wrecked both the American and German machinery forcing a ceasefire due to the lack of weaponry on both sides.
During WWII, Pago Pago Harbor, the site of the coaling station and naval bade, became a training and staging area for the U.S. Marine Corps. Young Samoan men were also combat trained by U.S. military personnel. The Samoans served as medical personnel, combatants, ship repairmen and code personnel during this war.
In American Samoa, more than 90% of the land is communally owned. The main industries in the private sector are tuna fishing and tuna processing plant, with canned tuna being the major export. The government of American Samoa desires to increase the economic well being of the territory, however, they are restrained due to the remote location of the American Samoa, its limited transportation and it hurricanes. The agriculture industries produce bananas, coconuts, taro, yams, vegetables, dairy products, breadfruit, copra, pineapples, livestock and papaya. Other industries are handicrafts and tuna canneries. It is believed that tourism has a great potential in this territory.
American Samoa experiences a tropical marine climate moderated by southeast trade winds. The territory experiences very little seasonal temperature variation. Its rainy season is from November to April, where the heat is tempered by trade winds and has a cooling effect by its afternoon showers. Its dry season, which is enjoyed from May to October, is cooler and drier, with less humidity and breezy cool evenings. Typhoons are common natural conditions in American Samoa between December and March, owing to the territory’s positioning in the South Pacific Ocean. The land has five volcanic islands with rugged peaks, limited coastal plains and two coral atolls, the Rose Island and Swains Island. The territory’s capital Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean. It is sheltered by shape from the rough seas and protected from high winds by peripheral mountains.
In July of 2009 it was estimated that the population of American Samoa was 65 628 people, placing the territory at 204 in the world. 95% of the land’s residents live in the largest and most populous town, Tutuila. Interestingly, people born in American Samoa are considered U.S nationals, however they are not considered a citizen of the United States unless one of their parents is a U.S citizen. Nevertheless, no one inhabiting this land is allowed to vote in the U.S Presidential Elections. There are very few religions inhabiting the land with Christian Congregationalist at 50%, Roman Catholic at 20% and Protestant and other religions at 30%.
There are a few natural attractions, which excite people to the American Samoa. The territory is home to the National Park of American Samoa. The capital city, Pago Pago is set in a magnificent harbor surrounded by densely forested mountains. Its market place is the best place to capture the character of the city. The restricting building guidelines limit the heights of buildings, hence anywhere you are, you are provided with majestic, breathtaking unspoiled views. A trip to Aunu’u Island is also quite spectacular. It features the amazing red quick sand at Pala Lake and surf roiling onto spectacular rocks at Ma’ama’a Cove.
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