| Surface : 201
sq km (77.6 sq miles)......American (Amerika) Samoa is a group
of six Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. Fourteen degrees below
the equator, it is the United States' southern-most territory. If you drew a triangle from Hawaii,
New Zealand and Tahiti you would find Samoa in the middle. Western
Samoa is a neighboring independent country that shares the same
culture. American Samoa became an unorganized U.S. territory in 1900. |
| Population : 63,000
(1998) inhabitants |
| Climate: American Samoa has a tropical marine
climate, moderated during the Winter months of May through October by
southeast trade winds. Average temperature is 82 degrees F with only a
few degrees of fluctuation between the Winter and Summer months. The
Summer rainy season lasts from November to April and accounts for
approximately 70 percent of the 200 inches of annual rainfall.
Hurricanes are a continual problem from December through March,
especially when the El Nino effect is evident. |
| Visas: No visas are
required for travel to American Samoa, however US citizens must have
proof of this status and everyone else must have a valid passport. You
will also need an onward ticket. Citizens of Independent Samoa require
a permit to enter American Samoa. |
| Electricity: 110V
AC, 60Hz. US-style 2-pin plugs are in use. |
| Capital : Pago Pago (population: 9000) |
| System : American Samoa has a system
of government closely patterned after the United States. The
Administrative Branch is headed up by a popularly elected Governor who
serves a four-year term of office. The Legislative branch, called the
Fono, consists of an appointed Senate and a popularly elected House of
Representatives. The Judicial Branch is headed up by a Chief Justice
and consists of a High Court and a Lower Court. |
| Languages : The people of Samoa are
bilingual. English is used mainly in school and in business situations
and Samoan is spoken in the home and among friends. |
| Religions : Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic
20%, Protestant denominations and other 30% |
| Money :
United States Dollar ($US) |
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| American
Samoa |
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