American Samoa

Territory of American Samoa

unincorporated and unorganized territory of the USIndependence none (territory of the US)

American Samoa as the 1995 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 78 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalPago Pago

Area199 sq km

LocationOceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about

Populationas each edition published it

57,366 people July 1995 est. · 41,840 in 1990

Population growth% a year

3.82% 1995 est. · 3.9% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 21.6 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

72.91 years 1995 est. · 73 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

4.3 children per woman 1995 est. · 5.4 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

18.78 deaths per 1,000 live births 1995 est. · 11 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$2,600 1991 · $2,600 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

Not in this edition 3% in 2006

Geography

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about | one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

14 fields

Land useshare of 199 sq km

arable land 10%permanent crops 5%meadows and pastures 0%forest and woodland 75%other 10%

Area

199sq km

land area: 199 sq kmcomparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DCnote: includes Rose Island and Swains Island

Coastline

116km

land boundaries: 0 kmexclusive economic zone: 200 nmterritorial sea: 12 nm

Location

Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand

Climate

tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds;
annual rainfall averages 124 inches;
rainy season from November to April, dry season from 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)

Environment

current issues:: limited natural fresh water resources; in many areas of the island water supplies come from roof catchments
natural hazards:: typhoons common from December to March
international agreements:: NA

Note

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

People

15 fields

Population

57,366

(July 1995 est.)growth rate: 3.82% (1995 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1995 est.)

Birth

36.21Death

4.01Net migration

Male · female(1995 est.)

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years72.91

71.03 · 74.85

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy97%

98% · 97%

MaleFemaleLiteracy age 15 and over can read and write (1980)

Ethnic divisions

Samoan (Polynesian) 89%Caucasian 2%Tongan 4%other 5%

Religions

Christian Congregationalist 50%Roman Catholic 20%Protestant denominations and other 30%

Labor force

14,400

(1990)by occupation: government 33%, tuna canneries 34%, other 33% (1990)

Age structure

0-14 years:: NA
15-64 years:: NA
65 years and over:: NA

Infant mortality rate

18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1995 est.)

Nationality

noun:: American Samoan(s)
adjective:: American Samoan

Languages

Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English; most people are bilingual

Government

Unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993)

22 fields

Presidential electionpercent of vote

53%

A. P. LUTALI (Democrat) 53%Peter Tali COLEMAN (Republican) 36%

Names

conventional long form:: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form:: American Samoa

Type

unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of Territorial and International Affairs

Executive branch

chief of state:: President William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993); Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government:: Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993);
Lieutenant Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993);
election last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996);
results - A. P. LUTALI (Democrat) 53%, Peter Tali COLEMAN (Republican) 36%

House of Representatives

elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994);
results - representatives popularly elected from 17 house districts;
seats - (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegate from Swains Island)

Senate

elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996);
results - senators elected by village chiefs from 12 senate districts;
seats - (18 total) number of seats by party NA

US House of Representatives

elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1994); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate

Member of

ESCAP (associate), INTERPOL (subbureau), IOC, SPC

Diplomatic representation in US

none (territory of the US)

Flag

blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side;
a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

Economy

Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which | American Samoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade.

18 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$2,600

(1991)

Inflation, consumer prices

(1990)

Unemployment rate

12%

(1991)

Installed generating capacity, 30,000 kW

Electricity production

90 millionElectricity consumption per capita

1,505 (1993)

Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts 80%-90% of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. The tuna canneries and the government are by far the two largest employers.

Other economic activities include a slowly developing tourist industry. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being.

National product

GDP - purchasing power parity - $128 million (1991 est.)

National product real growth rate

NA%

Budget

revenues:: $97 million (includes $43,000,000 in local revenue and $54,000,000 in grant revenue);
expenditures:: $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90/91)

Exports

$306 million (f.o.b., 1989)

commodities:: canned tuna 93%
partners:: US 99.6%

Imports

$360.3 million (c.i.f., 1989)

commodities:: materials for canneries 56%, food 8%, petroleum products 7%, machinery and parts 6%
partners:: US 62%, Japan 9%, NZ 7%, Australia 11%, Fiji 4%, other 7%