American Samoa
Territory of American Samoa
unincorporated and unorganized territory ofIndependence none (territory of the US)
American Samoa as the 1996 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 83 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.
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Geography
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, | about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
15 fieldsLand useshare of 199 sq km
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)
- lowest point:
- Pacific Ocean 0 m
- highest point:
- Lata 966 m
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
Geographic 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 fieldsPer 1,000 population(1996 est.)
Male · female(1996 est.)
Government
Unincorporated and unorganized territory of; President (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) are popularly elected by the citizens of the US; Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993) and Lieutenant Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993) were elected for a four-year term by popular vote
21 fieldsPresidential electionpercent of vote
Name of country
- conventional long form:
- Territory of American Samoa
- conventional short form:
- American Samoa
- abbreviation:
- AS
Type of government
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 (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993) are popularly elected by the citizens of the US
- head of government:
- Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993) and Lieutenant Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993) were elected for a four-year term by popular vote;
- 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 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- results - representatives popularly elected from 17 house districts;
- percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (21 total, 20 elected, and 1 nonvoting delegate from Swains Island);
- number of seats by party NA
Senate
- elections last held 3 November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996);
- results - senators elected by village chiefs from 12 senate districts;
- percent of vote by party NA;
- seats - (18 total) number of seats by party NA
US House of Representatives
elections last held 8 November 1994 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
Judicial branch
High Court, chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior
Flag
- blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer 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
20 fieldsInstalled generating capacity, 30,000 kW
Economic overview
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.
Budget
- revenues:
- $97 million ($43 million in local revenue and $54 million in grant revenue)
- expenditures:
- $NA, including capital expenditures of $NA (FY90/91)
Agriculture
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy farming
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%
Economic aid
recipient: ODA, $NA note: $21 million in operational funds and $1.2 million in construction funds for capital improvement projects from the US Department of Interior (1991)
Transportation
5 fieldsAirports by runway lengthpaved left, unpaved right · 3 in all
Networkskm
Communications
7 fieldsTelephone system
- domestic:
- good telex, telegraph, and facsimile services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station
- international:
- satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
Cite this entry
Central Intelligence Agency. “American Samoa.” The World Factbook 1996. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/american-samoa/1996.