American Samoa (GPS: 14 20 S, 170 00 W) is located in Oceania, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. The country’s area measurements are total: 199 sq km; land: 199 sq km, water: 0 sq km. This sovereign state is slightly larger than Washington, DC. The total irrigated land is 0 sq km (2012).
One of the essential features of American Samoa: 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.
It’s significant, and at the same time, the principal city, Pago Pago’s GPS coordinates are 14 16 S 170 42 W. Pago Pago’s local time is 6 hours behind Washington DC during Standard Time. The capital’s time difference: UTC-11.
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was not reached by European explorers until the 18th century. In the latter half of the 19th century, international rivalries 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.
American Samoa’s names conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa, conventional short form: American Samoaabbreviation: AS, 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. 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.
American Samoa’s terrain is typically five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island). The country’s mean elevation: N/A, elevation extremes; lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m, highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m.
The country’s general climate is 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.
The total number of border countries is 0; none are the neighboring nations with the indicated border lengths. American Samoa’s coastline is 116 km, while its marital claims are: territorial sea: 12 nautical miles, exclusive economic zone: 200 nautical miles. Waterways: N/A. Land use: agricultural land: 21.7%; arable land 13.3%; permanent crops 8.4%; permanent pasture 0%; forest: 78.3%; other: 0% (2011 estimate).
The population in American Samoa 50,826 (July 2018 estimate), urban population: 87.2% of total population (2015), major urban area’s population: PAGO PAGO (capital) 48,000 (2014), while American Samoa has N/A. Their spoken languages are Samoan 88.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 3.9%, Tongan 2.7%, another Pacific Islander 3%, other 1.8%. Note: most people are bilingual (2010 estimate). Main religions in American Samoa are Christian 98.3%, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.7% (2010 estimate). The nation uses a mixed legal system of US common law and customary law. It is a(n) presidential democracy; a self-governing territory of the US, National holiday(s) Flag Day, 17 April (1900).
Economic overview for the country: 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 private sector’s backbones, 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, 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. The government’s attempts to develop a more extensive and broader economy are restrained by Samoa’s remote location, limited transportation, and devastating hurricanes. Tourism has some potential as a source of income and jobs.
Natural resources of American Samoa: pumice, pumicite.
Main export partners for American Samoa, Oceania are US 100% for canned tuna 93%, while the country’s main import partners are: N/A for raw materials for canneries, food, petroleum products, machinery, and parts.
When you visit this country in Oceania, consider the natural hazards in American Samoa: Typhoons common from December to Marchvolcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands, neither has erupted since the 19th century, while infectious diseases are noted: active local transmission of Zika virus by Aedes species mosquitoes have been identified in this country (as of August 2016); it poses a significant 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 (2016). Also, note that American Samoa faces the following environmental issues: Limited supply of drinking water, Pollution, waste disposal, Coastal and stream alteration, Soil erosion.
You may also be interested in the countries next to American Samoa around its 0 km border – No border countries.
