View source for American Samoa

{{Short description|U.S. territory in the South Pacific Ocean}}
{{about|the territory of the United States|the geographical region|Samoan Islands|the nation of Samoa|Samoa}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2017}}
{{Infobox dependency
| name = American Samoa
| native_name = {{native name|sm|Amerika Sāmoa}}
| settlement_type = [[Territories of the United States|Unincorporated and unorganized U.S. territory]]
| image_flag = Flag of American Samoa.svg
| flag_size = 130px
| flag_link = Flag of American Samoa
| image_seal = Seal of American Samoa.svg
| seal_size = 90px
| seal_type = Seal
| seal_link = Seal of American Samoa
| motto_link = List of U.S. state and territory mottos
| motto = {{native name|sm|"Sāmoa, Muamua Le [[Atua]]"|italics=off}} ({{Langx|en|"Samoa, Let God Be First"}})
| anthem_link = List of U.S. state songs
| anthem = "[[Amerika Samoa|Amerika Sāmoa]]"<br>{{center|[[File:Anthem_of_American_Samoa.ogg]]}}
| image_map = American Samoa on the globe (Polynesia centered).svg
| map_alt = Location of American Samoa
| map_caption = Location of American Samoa <br> (circled in red)
| mapsize = 290px
| subdivision_type = [[Sovereign state]]
| subdivision_name = {{flag|United States}}{{efn|Despite being under the sovereignty of the United States since 1900, American Samoa has not been fully [[Territories of the United States#Incorporated vs. unincorporated territories|incorporated]] into the country for constitutional purposes.<ref>{{cite web |title=U.S. Territories – Developments in the Law|work= [[Harvard Law Review]] |date= April 10, 2017 |url= https://harvardlawreview.org/print/vol-130/us-territories-introduction/ |language=en |access-date=June 11, 2024}}</ref> See the page for the [[Insular Cases#Background|Insular Cases]] for more information.}}
| established_title = [[Tripartite Convention|Partition of Samoa]]
| established_date = December 2, 1899
| established_title2 = [[Ratification Act of 1929|Ratification Act]]
| established_date2 = February 20, 1929
| established_title3 = [[Constitution of American Samoa|Current constitution]]
| established_date3 = July 1, 1967
| official_languages = {{hlist|[[English language|English]]|[[Samoan language|Samoan]]|}}
| demonym = [[Demographics of American Samoa|American Samoan]]
| capital = [[Pago Pago]]{{efn|name=capital}}
| admin_center = [[Fagatogo]]{{efn|name=capital}}
| admin_center_type = Government seat
| largest_settlement_type = village
| largest_settlement = [[Tafuna, American Samoa|Tafuna]]
| ethnic_groups = {{plainlist|
*83.2% [[Samoans|Samoan]]
*5.8% Asian
*5.5% other [[Pacific Islander]]
*4.4% [[Multiracial people|mixed]]
*1.1% other}}
| ethnic_groups_year = 
| government_type = [[Devolution|Devolved]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[constitution]]al [[Dependent territory|dependency]]
| leader_title1 = [[President of the United States|President]]
| leader_name1 = [[Joe Biden]] ([[Democratic Party (United States)|D]])
| leader_title2 = [[List of governors of American Samoa|Governor]]
| leader_name2 = [[Lemanu Peleti Mauga]] ([[American Samoa Democratic Party|D]])
| leader_title3 = [[Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa|Lieutenant Governor]]
| leader_name3 = [[Salo Ale]] ([[American Samoa Democratic Party|D]])
| legislature = ''[[American Samoa Fono|Fono]]''
| upper_house = [[American Samoa Senate|Senate]]
| national_representation = [[United States Congress]]
| national_representation_type1 = [[American Samoa's at-large congressional district|House delegate]]
| national_representation1 = [[Amata Coleman Radewagen]] ([[Republican Party of American Samoa|R]])
| lower_house = [[American Samoa House of Representatives|House of Representatives]]
| religion = {{plainlist|
*98.3% [[Christians|Christian]]<ref name="CIAfactbook"/>
*1.7% other}}
| area_sq_mi = 77 <!-- Do not remove as per WP:MOSNUM -->
| area_rank = 
| area_km2 = 
| percent_water = 0
| elevation_max_m = 966.2
| elevation_max_ft = 3170
| population_census = 49,710<ref name=census-counties/>
| population_census_year = 2020
| population_estimate = 44,620<ref name="CIAfactbook"/>
| population_estimate_year = 2023
| population_estimate_rank = 211th
| population_density_km2 = 
| population_density_sq_mi = 670.8 <!-- Do not remove as per WP:MOSNUM -->
| population_density_rank = 
| GDP_PPP = $709 million<ref name=worldbank/>
| GDP_PPP_year = 2021
| GDP_PPP_rank = 
| GDP_PPP_per_capita = $15,743<ref name="CIAfactbook"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/general/terr/2016/asgdp_080816.pdf |title=Gross domestic product for American Samoa increases for the second year in a row |publisher=Bureau of Economic Analysis |access-date=July 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170513045336/https://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/general/terr/2016/asgdp_080816.pdf |archive-date=May 13, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 
| GDP_nominal = 
| GDP_nominal_year = 
| GDP_nominal_rank = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = 
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 
| Gini = 
| Gini_year = 
| Gini_change = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| Gini_ref = 
| HDI = <!-- number only -->
| HDI_year = <!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change = <!-- increase/decrease/steady -->
| HDI_ref = 
| HDI_rank = 
| currency = [[United States dollar]] (US$)
| currency_code = USD
| timezone = [[Samoa Time Zone|SST]]
| utc_offset = −11:00
| date_format = mm/dd/yyyy
| drives_on = right
| calling_code = [[North American Numbering Plan|+1]]-[[Area code 684|684]]
| postal_code_type = {{nowrap|[[USPS abbreviation]]}}
| postal_code = AS
| iso_code = {{hlist|[[ISO 3166-2:AS|AS]]|[[ISO 3166-2:US|US-AS]]}}
| cctld = [[.as]]}}'''American Samoa'''{{efn|{{langx|sm|Amerika Sāmoa}}, {{IPA-all|aˈmɛɾika ˈsaːmʊa|pron}}; also ''{{lang|sm|Amelika Sāmoa}}'' or ''{{lang|sm|Sāmoa Amelika}}''}} is an [[Territories of the United States|unincorporated territory of the United States]] located in the [[Polynesia]] region of the [[Pacific Ocean|South Pacific Ocean]]. Centered on {{coord|14.3|S|170.7|W|region:AS_type:isle|display=inline}}, it is {{convert|40|mi|km}} southeast of the [[island country]] of [[Samoa]], east of the [[International Date Line]] and the [[Wallis and Futuna]] Islands, west of the [[Cook Islands]], north of [[Tonga]], and some {{convert|500|km|mi|order=flip}} south of [[Tokelau]]. American Samoa is the southernmost territory of the United States, situated {{convert|2200|mi|km}} southwest of the U.S. state of [[Hawaii]], and one of two U.S. territories south of the Equator, along with the uninhabited [[Jarvis Island]].

American Samoa consists of the eastern part of the [[Samoan Islands|Samoan archipelago]]—the inhabited [[volcanic island]]s of [[Tutuila]], [[Aunuʻu]], [[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu]], [[Ofu-Olosega|Olosega]] and [[Taʻū]] and the uninhabited [[Rose Atoll]]—as well as [[Swains Island]], a remote coral [[atoll]] in the [[List of islands of Tokelau|Tokelau volcanic island group]]. The total land area is {{convert|199|km2|sqmi|order=flip}}, slightly larger than [[Washington, D.C.]]; including its [[Maritime territory|territorial waters]], the total area is {{convert|117500|sqmi|km2}}, about the size of New Zealand.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |title=Our Islands |url=https://www.americansamoa.travel/our-islands |access-date=May 25, 2024 |website=American Samoa Visitors Bureau |language=en-US}}</ref> American Samoa has a tropical climate, with 90 percent of its land covered by rainforests. As of 2024, the population is approximately 47,400 and concentrated on Tutuila, which hosts the capital and largest settlement, [[Pago Pago, American Samoa|Pago Pago]]. The vast majority of residents are indigenous ethnic [[Samoans]], most of whom are fluent in the official languages, [[American English|English]] and [[Samoan language|Samoan]].<ref name="census-social2">[https://data.census.gov/table?g=0400000US60&d=DECIA+American+Samoa+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDPAS2020.DP2 Selected social characteristics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201074658/https://data.census.gov/table?g=0400000US60&d=DECIA+American+Samoa+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDPAS2020.DP2|date=December 1, 2022}}, 2020 Decennial Census of the Island Areas, American Samoa demographic profile, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref>

Inhabited by [[Polynesians]] since prehistory, American Samoa was first contacted by Europeans in the 18th century. The islands attracted missionaries, explorers, and mariners, particularly to the highly protected natural harbor of Pago Pago. The United States took possession of American Samoa in the late 19th century, developing it into a major naval outpost; the territory's strategic value was reinforced by the [[Second World War]] and subsequent Cold War. In 1967, American Samoa became self-governing with the adoption of a constitution; its local government is [[Republicanism in the United States|republican]] in form, with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches. It remains officially [[Unorganized territory of the United States|unorganized]] and is thus directly administered by the federal government. American Samoa is listed among seventeen "[[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories|non-self-governing territories]]" but is a member of several intergovernmental organizations, including the [[Pacific Community]], [[Pacific Islands Forum]] (PIF), [[Alliance of Small Island States]] (AOSIS), and [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC).<ref>{{Citation |title=American Samoa |date=2024-07-11 |work=The World Factbook |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/american-samoa/#government |access-date=2024-07-24 |publisher=Central Intelligence Agency |language=en}}</ref>

Due to its strategic location, the U.S. military has a significant presence in American Samoa and plays a major role in its economy and society. The territory is noted for having the highest rate of military enlistment of any U.S. state or territory; as of 2021, the local [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] recruiting station in [[Pago Pago]] ranked first in recruitment.<ref name=":02" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Local US Army recruiting station ranked #1 in the world – Samoa News |url=http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/local-us-army-recruiting-station-ranked-1-world |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402131529/http://www.samoanews.com/content/en/local-us-army-recruiting-station-ranked-1-world |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2015 }}</ref>  Tuna products are the main exports, with the U.S. proper serving as the largest trading partner. Tourism is a nascent but underdeveloped sector, owing in part to the territory's relative geographic isolation, which also accounts for its high rate of poverty and emigration.

Residents of American Samoa are [[Disenfranchisement|politically disenfranchised]], with no voting representation in the U.S. Congress. American Samoa is the only permanently inhabited territory of the United States in which [[U.S. citizenship|citizenship]] is not granted at birth, and people born there are considered "[[American Samoan citizenship and nationality|non-citizen nationals]]" with limited rights. Citizenship is a controversial topic locally, as the government of American Samoa fears that it would lead to the erosion of traditional customs. It is the only U.S. territory with its own immigration system. {{toclimit|4}}

==History==
[[File:Samoa islands 2002.gif|thumb|upright=1.8|Samoa Islands]]
{{Main|History of Samoa|History of American Samoa|Tui Manu{{okina}}a}}
Traditional [[oral literature]] of Samoa and Manu{{okina}}a talks of a widespread [[Polynesians|Polynesian]] network or [[Confederation|confederacy]] (or "empire") that was prehistorically ruled by the successive Tui Manu{{okina}}a dynasties. Manuan genealogies and religious oral literature also suggest that the Tui Manu{{okina}}a had long been one of the most prestigious and powerful [[Paramount chief|paramounts]] of Samoa. Oral history suggests that the Tui Manu{{okina}}a kings governed a confederacy of far-flung islands which included Tutuila,<ref>{{Cite book|last1=Calder|first1=Alex|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fIXSBlCRk3EC|title=Voyages and Beaches: Pacific Encounters, 1769–1840|last2=Lamb|first2=Jonathan|last3=Orr|first3=Bridget|date=April 1, 1999|publisher=University of Hawaii Press|isbn=978-0-8248-2039-8|language=en|access-date=November 24, 2020|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630094754/https://books.google.com/books?id=fIXSBlCRk3EC|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Journal of the Polynesian Society: An Experiment In Tongan History, By E. E. V. Collocott, P 166-184|url=http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_33_1924/Volume_33,_No._131/An_experiment_in_Tongan_history,_by_E._E._V._Collocott,_p_166-184/p1|access-date=November 19, 2020|website=www.jps.auckland.ac.nz|author=[[E. E. V. Collocott]]|archive-date=April 11, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210411035225/http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_33_1924/Volume_33%2C_No._131/An_experiment_in_Tongan_history%2C_by_E._E._V._Collocott%2C_p_166-184/p1|url-status=live}}</ref> as well as smaller western Pacific [[chiefdom]]s and [[Polynesian outliers]] such as [[Uvea (Wallis and Futuna)|Uvea]], [[Futuna Island, Wallis and Futuna|Futuna]], [[Tokelau]], [[Tuvalu]] and bigger islands like the Samoa in the North. Commerce and exchange routes between the western Polynesian societies are well documented and it is speculated that the Tui Manu{{okina}}a dynasty grew through its success in obtaining control and manufacturing goods such as finely woven ceremonial mats "('Ie Konga)" for the Tu'i Tonga, whale [[ivory]] "[[tabua]]" for their Fijian masters, [[obsidian]] and [[basalt]] tools, chiefly red feathers, and seashells reserved for royalty (such as polished [[nautilus]] and the egg [[cowry]]).

===18th century: First Western contacts===
Contact with Europeans began in the early 18th century. Dutchman [[Jacob Roggeveen]] was the first known European to sight the [[Samoan Islands]] in 1722, calling them the "Baumann Islands" after one of his captains. The next explorer to visit the islands was [[Louis-Antoine de Bougainville]], who named them the "Îles des Navigateurs" in 1768. British explorer [[James Cook]] recorded the island names in 1773, but never visited.<ref name="Keating">{{cite book|last1=Keating|first1=Barbara|editor1-last=Keating|editor1-first=Barbara|editor2-last=Bolton|editor2-first=Barrie|title=The Geology of the Samoan Islands, in Geology and Offshore Mineral Resources of the Central Pacific Basin, Circum-Pacific Council for Energy and Mineral Resources Earth Science Series, Vol. 14|date=1991|publisher=Springer-Verlag|isbn=0387977716|pages=128–129}}</ref>

The 1789 visit by [[Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse|Lapérouse]] was ended by [[Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse#South Pacific|an attack]], on [[Tutuila]] island where Lapérouse's men were trying to obtain water. His second in command [[Paul Antoine Fleuriot de Langle|Capt. de Langle]] and several of his crew were killed. La Pérouse named the island "Massacre Island", and the bay near [[Aasu, American Samoa|Aasu]] is still called "Massacre Bay".<ref name=Keating/>

[[HMS Pandora (1779)|HMS ''Pandora'']], under the command of Admiral Edward Edwards (Royal Navy officer), visited the island in 1791 during its search for the [[Mutiny on the Bounty|H.M.S. ''Bounty'' mutineers]]. [[Otto von Kotzebue|Von Kotzebue]] visited in 1824.<ref name=Keating/>

===19th century===
[[File:German, British, American warships in Apia harbour, Samoa 1899.jpg|thumb|left|German, British and American warships in Apia Harbor, Samoa, 1899]]
{{Main|Samoan crisis|Samoan Civil War|Second Samoan Civil War|Tripartite Convention}}

[[Christian mission|Mission work]] in the Samoas had begun in late 1830 when [[John Williams (missionary)|John Williams]] of the [[London Missionary Society]] arrived from the [[Cook Islands]] and [[Tahiti]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Watson |first=R.M. |title=History of Samoa: The Advent of the Missionary. (1830. 1839) |year=1919 |pages=Chapter III |url=http://www.samoa.co.uk/books/history-of-samoa/history-of-samoa-3.html |no-pp=true |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503192826/http://www.samoa.co.uk/books/history-of-samoa/history-of-samoa-3.html |archive-date=May 3, 2011 }}</ref> By the late nineteenth century, French, British, German, and American vessels routinely stopped at Samoa, as they valued [[Pago Pago|Pago Pago Harbor]] as a refueling station for coal-fired shipping and whaling.

The [[United States Exploring Expedition]] visited the islands in 1839.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Stanton |first1=William |title=The Great United States Exploring Expedition |date=1975 |publisher=University of California Press |location=Berkeley |isbn=0520025571 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/greatunitedstate00will/page/132 132–133] |url=https://archive.org/details/greatunitedstate00will/page/132 }}</ref>
[[File:Samoa Cram Map 1896.jpg|thumb|1896 map of the Samoa Islands]]

In March 1889, an [[German Empire|Imperial German]] naval force entered a village in Samoa, and in doing so destroyed some American property. Three American warships then entered the [[Apia]] harbor and prepared to engage the three German warships found there. Before any shots were fired, [[1889 Apia cyclone|a typhoon]] wrecked both the American and German ships. A compulsory [[armistice]] was then called because of the lack of any warships.<ref>{{cite book |author=Stevenson, Robert Louis |title=A Footnote to History: Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa|year=1892|publisher=BiblioBazaar |isbn=1-4264-0754-8|title-link=A Footnote to History: Eight Years of Trouble in Samoa}}</ref>
===20th century===
====Early 20th century====
[[File:elisala.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Tuimanu{{okina}}a Elisala Alalamua, the last official titleholder of [[Tui Manu{{okina}}a]] (1899–1909)]]
At the turn of the 20th century, international rivalries in the latter half of the century were settled by the 1899 [[Tripartite Convention (1899)|Tripartite Convention]] in which Germany and the United States partitioned the [[Samoan Islands]] into two:<ref>Ryden, George Herbert. ''The Foreign Policy of the United States in Relation to Samoa''. New York: Octagon Books, 1975. (Reprint by special arrangement with Yale University Press. Originally published at New Haven: Yale University Press, 1928), p. 574. The Tripartite Convention (United States, Germany, Great Britain) was signed at Washington on December 2, 1899, with ratifications exchanged on February 16, 1900.</ref> the eastern island group became a territory of the United States (Tutuila in 1900 and officially Manu{{okina}}a in 1904)<ref name="DoI">{{cite web|url=https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/american-samoa|title=American Samoa Office of Insular Affairs|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior|date=June 11, 2015|website=www.doi.gov|access-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309054757/https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/american-samoa|archive-date=March 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and is today known as American Samoa; the western islands, by far the greater landmass, became known as [[German Samoa]], after Britain gave up all claims to Samoa and in return accepted the termination of German rights in Tonga and certain areas in the [[Solomon Islands]] and [[West Africa]].<ref>Ryden, p. 571</ref> Forerunners to the [[Tripartite Convention]] of 1899 were the Washington Conference of 1887, the [[Treaty of Berlin (1889)|Treaty of Berlin of 1889]] and the Anglo-German Agreement on Samoa of 1899.

====American colonization====
[[File:Benjamin_Franklin_Tilley_-_NH_67313.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Rear Admiral]] [[Benjamin Franklin Tilley]], the [[List of governors of American Samoa|first]] Governor of American Samoa (1900–1901)]]

The following year, the U.S. formally [[Annexation|annexed]] its portion, a smaller group of eastern islands, one of which contains the noted harbor of [[Pago Pago, American Samoa|Pago Pago]].<ref name="Americans, Almost and Forgotten">Lin, Tom C.W., [https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3454210 Americans, Almost and Forgotten] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200921093931/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3454210 |date=September 21, 2020 }}, 107 California Law Review (2019)</ref> After the [[United States Navy]] took possession of eastern Samoa for the [[Federal government of the United States|United States government]], the existing [[coaling station]] at Pago Pago Bay was expanded into a full [[Naval base|naval station]], known as [[United States Naval Station Tutuila]] and commanded by a commandant. The Navy secured a [[Deed of Cession of Tutuila]] in 1900 and a [[Deed of Cession of Manu{{okina}}a]] in 1904 on behalf of the U.S. government. The last sovereign of Manu{{okina}}a, the [[Tui Manua Elisala|Tui Manu{{okina}}a Elisala]], signed a Deed of Cession of Manu{{okina}}a following a series of U.S. naval trials, known as the "Trial of the Ipu", in Pago Pago, Ta{{okina}}u, and aboard a [[Pacific Squadron]] gunboat.<ref>{{cite book |author=Joanne Barker |title=Sovereignty Matters: Locations of Contestation and Possibility in Indigenous Struggles for Self-determination |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nHp7-BTy57MC&pg=PA109 |date=2005 |publisher=U of Nebraska Press |isbn=0-8032-5198-X |page=109 |chapter=Passive Resistance of Samoans to US and Other Colonialisms |access-date=October 12, 2015 |archive-date=June 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200621021648/https://books.google.com/books?id=nHp7-BTy57MC&pg=PA109%2F |url-status=live }}</ref> The territory became known as the [[United States Naval Station Tutuila|U.S. Naval Station Tutuila]].

On July 17, 1911, the U.S. Naval Station Tutuila, which was composed of Tutuila, [[Aunu{{okina}}u]] and Manu{{okina}}a, was officially renamed American Samoa.<ref>{{cite news |first=Stan |last=Sorensen |title=Historical Notes|page =2 |url=http://americansamoa.gov/tapuitea/2006/Tapuitea60712.pdf |work=Tapuitea |date=July 12, 2006 |access-date=August 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110926183511/http://americansamoa.gov/tapuitea/2006/Tapuitea60712.pdf |archive-date=September 26, 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Manu{{okina}}a celebrates 105 years under the U.S. Flag |url=http://www.samoanews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=7779 |work=[[Samoa News]] |date=July 16, 2009 |access-date=August 16, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927012532/http://www.samoanews.com/viewstory.php?storyid=7779 |archive-date=September 27, 2011 }}</ref> People of [[Manu{{okina}}a]] had been unhappy since they were left out of the name "Naval Station Tutuila". In May 1911, Governor [[William Michael Crose]] authored a letter to the Secretary of the Navy conveying the sentiments of Manu{{okina}}a. The department responded that the people should choose a name for their new territory. The traditional leaders chose "American Samoa", and, on July 7, 1911, the [[Solicitor General of the Navy|solicitor general of the Navy]] authorized the governor to proclaim it as the name for the new territory.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|209}}

====World War I and the 1918 influenza pandemic====
[[File:Gov12.JPG|thumb|upright|[[John Martin Poyer|Commander John Martin Poyer]] served as the [[List of governors of American Samoa|12th]] Governor of American Samoa (1915–1919).<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20150926160343/http://www.highlinehistory.org/oral_histories/Life_in_Samoa.pdf Life in Samoa from 1916 to 1919] (archived from [http://www.highlinehistory.org/oral_histories/Life_in_Samoa.pdf the original] on September 26, 2015).</ref>]]

In 1918, during the final stages of World War I, the [[Spanish flu|Great Influenza epidemic]] had taken its toll, spreading rapidly from country to country. American Samoa became one of the few places in the world (the others being [[New Caledonia]] and [[Marajó|Marajó island]] in Brazil) to have proactively prevented any deaths during the pandemic through the quick response from [[John Martin Poyer|Governor John Martin Poyer]] after hearing news reports of the outbreak on the radio and requesting [[quarantine ships]] from the U.S. mainland. The result of Poyer's quick actions earned him the [[Navy Cross]] from the [[United States Navy|U.S. Navy]]. With this distinction, American Samoans regarded Poyer as their hero for what he had done to prevent the deadly disease. The neighboring New Zealand territory at the time, [[Samoa|Western Samoa]], suffered the most of all [[Pacific Islands|Pacific islands]], with 90% of the population infected; 30% of adult men, 22% of adult women and 10% of children died.<ref>{{cite journal  |title=The Influenza Epidemic of 1918–19 in Western Samoa |last1=Tomkins |first1=Sandra M. |journal=Journal of Pacific History |volume=27 |issue=2 |year=1992 |pages=181–197 |doi=10.1080/00223349208572706 |jstor=25169127}}</ref> Poyer offered assistance to help his New Zealand counterparts but was refused by the administrator of Western Samoa, [[Robert Logan (politician)|Robert Logan]], who became outraged after witnessing the number of quarantine ships surrounding American Samoa. Angered by this, Logan cut off communications with his American counterparts.

====Interwar period====
=====American Samoa Mau movement=====
After World War I, during the time of the [[Mau movement]] in Western Samoa (then a [[League of Nations]] mandate governed by New Zealand), there was a corresponding American Samoa Mau movement led by Samuelu Ripley, a World War I veteran who was from [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]] village, Tutuila. After meetings on the United States mainland, he was prevented from disembarking from the ship that brought him home to American Samoa and was not allowed to return because the American Samoa Mau movement was suppressed by the U.S. Navy. In 1930 the [[United States Congress|U.S. Congress]] sent a committee to investigate the status of American Samoa, led by Americans who had a part in the overthrow of the [[Kingdom of Hawaii]].

=====Annexation of Swains Island=====
[[Swains Island]], which had been included in the list of guano islands [[wikt:appertain|appertain]]ing to the United States and bonded under the [[Guano Islands Act]], was [[Annexation|annexed]] in 1925 by Pub. Res. 68–75,<ref>Pub. Res. 68–75, {{USStat|43|1357}}, enacted March 4, 1925.</ref> following the dissolution of the [[Gilbert and Ellice Islands#Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony (GEIC)|Gilbert and Ellice Islands Colony]] by the United Kingdom.

====World War II and aftermath====
During [[World War II]], [[United States Marine Corps|U.S. Marines]] stationed in Samoa outnumbered the local population and had a huge cultural influence. Young Samoan men from age 14 and above were combat-trained by [[United States Armed Forces|U.S. military personnel]]. Samoans served in various capacities during World War II, including as combatants, medical personnel, code personnel, and ship repairmen.

In 1949, Organic Act 4500, a [[United States Department of the Interior|U.S. Department of Interior]]–sponsored attempt to incorporate American Samoa, was introduced in Congress. It was ultimately defeated, primarily through the efforts of Samoan chiefs, led by Tuiasosopo Mariota.<ref>''Story of the Legislature of American Samoa''. 1988.</ref> The efforts of these chiefs led to the creation of a territorial legislature, the [[American Samoa Fono]], which meets in the village of [[Fagatogo]]. In 1950 the Department of the Interior began to administer American Samoa.<ref>{{cite book | first = Janice Gow | last = Pettey | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=5a6WtHIiEXkC&q=Guamanian+migration+to+the+united+states&pg=PA22 | title = Cultivating Diversity in Fundraising | publisher = John Wiley and Sons, Inc. | date = 2002 | isbn = 978-0471226017 | page = 22 | access-date = October 24, 2020 | archive-date = June 30, 2023 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20230630094815/https://books.google.com/books?id=5a6WtHIiEXkC&q=Guamanian+migration+to+the+united+states&pg=PA22 | url-status = live }}</ref>

====1951–1999====
[[File:Splashdown 2.png|thumb|upright=1.5|Locations of [[Pacific Ocean]] [[splashdown]]s of American spacecraft]]
By 1956, the U.S. Navy-appointed governor was replaced by [[Peter Tali Coleman]], who was locally elected. Although technically considered "unorganized" since the U.S. Congress has not passed an [[Organic Act]] for the territory, American Samoa is self-governing under a [[Constitution of American Samoa|constitution]] that became effective on July 1, 1967. The U.S. Territory of American Samoa is on the [[United Nations list of non-self-governing territories]], a listing which is disputed by the territorial government officials, who do consider themselves to be self-governing.

American Samoa and [[Pago Pago International Airport]] had historic significance with the [[Apollo Program]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://members.tripod.com/~Tavita_Herdrich/apollosummary.html |title=Apollo Splashdowns Near American Samoa |work=Tavita Herdrich and News Bulletin |access-date=July 7, 2010 |archive-date=May 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210517044653/https://members.tripod.com/~Tavita_Herdrich/apollosummary.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[astronaut]] crews of [[Apollo 10]], [[Apollo 12|12]], [[Apollo 13|13]], [[Apollo 14|14]], and [[Apollo 17|17]] were retrieved a few hundred miles from Pago Pago and transported by helicopter to the airport prior to being flown to Honolulu on [[C-141 Starlifter]] military aircraft.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/a17steen.html |title=Apollo 17 Lunar Surface Journal – Kevin Steen |work=Eric M. Jones |access-date=February 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513073947/http://history.nasa.gov/alsj/a17/a17steen.html |archive-date=May 13, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

While the two Samoas share language and ethnicity, their cultures have recently followed different paths, with American Samoans often emigrating to [[Hawaii|Hawai{{okina}}i]] and the U.S. mainland, and adopting many U.S. customs, such as the playing of [[American football]] and [[baseball]]. [[Samoans]] have tended to emigrate instead to [[New Zealand]], whose influence has made the sports of [[rugby football|rugby]] and [[cricket]] more popular in the western Samoan islands. Travel writer [[Paul Theroux]] noted that there were marked differences between the societies in [[Samoa]] and American Samoa.

On August 13, 1999, the [[United Nations]] granted American Samoa "observer seat" status. Six days later, American Samoa officially recognized both [[Samoan language|Samoan]] and [[English language|English]] as its official languages.<ref>Craig, Robert D. (2011). ''Historical Dictionary of Polynesia''. Scarecrow Press. Page xxx. ISBN 9780810867727.</ref>

===21st century===
In 2001 and 2003, the United States unsuccessfully sought to have American Samoa removed from the United Nations' decolonization list, arguing that the territory should not be considered a colony.<ref>Thomas Benjamin (2007). ''Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450''. Macmillan Reference USA. Page 44. ISBN 9780028658438.</ref>

American Samoans have a high rate of service in the [[U.S. Armed Forces]].<ref>Madsen, Deborah L. (2015). ''The Routledge Companion to Native American Literature''. Routledge. p. 44. {{ISBN|978-1317693192}}.</ref> Because of economic hardship, military service has been seen as an opportunity in American Samoa and other [[Territories of the United States#Classification of current U.S. territories|U.S. Overseas territories]].<ref>{{cite news |title=In South Pacific, US Army has strong appeal |author=James Brooke |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 1, 2005 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/31/world/asia/31iht-saipan.html |access-date=September 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511234217/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/31/world/asia/31iht-saipan.html |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The federal [[Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007]] started gradual adjustments to the territorial minimum wage to bring it up to the level for US states.<ref>[https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/ASminwagePoster.pdf Federal Minimum Wage in American Samoa by Industry]</ref>

==Notable events==
===Pre-20th century===
[[File:Death of Langle.png|thumb|Death of [[Paul Antoine Fleuriot de Langle|Fleuriot de Langle]] in 1787]]
On December 13, 1784, French navigator [[Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse]] landed two exploration parties on Tutuila's north shore: one from the ship ''[[French ship Boussole (1782)|La Boussole]]'' at Fagasa, and the other from ''[[French ship Astrolabe (1781)|L'Astrolabe]]'' at [[A{{okina}}asu, American Samoa|A{{okina}}asu]]. One of the cooks, David, died of "scorbutic dropsy". On December 11, twelve members of Lapérouse's crew (including First Officer [[Paul Antoine Fleuriot de Langle]]) were killed by angry Samoans at A{{okina}}asu Bay, Tutuila, thereafter known as "Massacre Bay", which Lapérouse described as "this den, more fearful from its treacherous situation and the cruelty of its inhabitants than the lair of a lion or a tiger". This incident gave Samoa a reputation for savagery that kept Europeans away until the arrival of the first Christian missionaries four decades later. On December 12, at A{{okina}}asu Bay, Lapérouse ordered his gunners to fire one cannonball amid the attackers who had killed his men the day before and were now returning to launch another attack. He later wrote in his journal "I could have destroyed or sunk a hundred canoes, with more than 500 people in them: but I was afraid of striking the wrong victims; the call of my conscience saved their lives."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tamug.edu/samoa/a_asu/history.htm |title=A Brief History of "A{{okina}}asu" |publisher=Tamug.edu |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201233013/http://www.tamug.edu/samoa/a_asu/history.htm |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Marchant |first=Leslie R. |url=http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/la-perouse-jean-francois-de-galaup-2329 |title=Biography – Jean-François de Galaup La Pérouse – Australian Dictionary of Biography |chapter=La Pérouse, Jean-François de Galaup (1741–1788) |publisher=Adb.anu.edu.au |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514154001/http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/la-perouse-jean-francois-de-galaup-2329 |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===20th century===
[[File:SADIE THOMPSON BUILDING.jpg|thumb|English author [[W. Somerset Maugham]] stayed at [[Sadie Thompson Inn]] during his six-week visit to [[Pago Pago]] in 1916.]]

On December 19, 1912, English writer [[William Somerset Maugham]] arrived in Pago Pago, allegedly accompanied by a missionary and Miss Sadie Thompson. His visit inspired his short story "[[Rain (short story)|Rain]]" which later became plays and three major motion pictures. The building still stands where Maugham stayed and has been renamed the [[Sadie Thompson Building]]. Today, it is a prominent restaurant and inn.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sadieshotels.com/hotels/sadie-thompson-inn |title=Sadie Thompson Inn {{pipe}} Sadie's Hotels |publisher=Sadieshotels.com |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232212/http://sadieshotels.com/hotels/sadie-thompson-inn |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

On November 2, 1921, American Samoa's 13th [[List of governors of American Samoa|naval governor]], Commander [[Warren Jay Terhune]], died by suicide with a pistol in the bathroom of the government mansion, overlooking the entrance to Pago Pago Harbor. His body was discovered by Government House's cook, SDI{{clarify|date=November 2017}} First Class Felisiano Debid Ahchica, USN. His ghost is rumored to walk about the grounds at night.
[[File:Fagatogo Dock.jpg|thumb|left|Pago Pago Harbor today and inter-island dock area]]

On August 17, 1924, [[Margaret Mead]] arrived in American Samoa aboard the SS ''Sonoma'' to begin fieldwork for her doctoral dissertation in anthropology at Columbia University, where she was a student of Professor [[Franz Boas]]. Her work ''[[Coming of Age in Samoa]]'' was published in 1928, at the time becoming the most widely read book in the field of [[anthropology]]. The book has sparked years of ongoing and intense debate and controversy. Mead returned to American Samoa in 1971 for the dedication of the [[Jean P. Haydon Museum]].
[[File:Sikorsky S42 (crop).jpg|thumb|right|The ''Samoan Clipper'']]

In 1938, the noted aviator [[Ed Musick]] and his crew died on the [[Pan American World Airways]] S-42 ''[[Samoan Clipper]]'' over Pago Pago, while on a survey flight to [[Auckland]], [[New Zealand]]. Sometime after takeoff, the aircraft experienced trouble, and Musick turned it back toward Pago Pago. While the crew dumped fuel in preparation for an emergency landing, an explosion occurred that tore the aircraft apart.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clipperflyingboats.com/pan-am-pilots/edwin-musick |title=Edwin Musick – Pan Am Captain Ed Musick |publisher=Pan Am Clipper Flying Boats |access-date=February 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101225015253/http://www.clipperflyingboats.com/pan-am-pilots/edwin-musick |archive-date=December 25, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 24, 1939, American Samoa's last execution to date was carried out. A man named Imoa of Fagatogo was convicted of stabbing a person named Sella to death and was hanged in the [[Custom house|Customs House]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=384:american-samoa-govt-v-imoa&catid=47:2asr&Itemid=228 |title=American Samoa Gov't v. Imoa |publisher=Asbar.org |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201204729/http://www.asbar.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=384:american-samoa-govt-v-imoa&catid=47:2asr&Itemid=228 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=June 21, 2012 |title=Togiola asks AG to withdraw death penalty for Siaumau |url=https://www.samoanews.com/togiola-asks-ag-withdraw-death-penalty-siaumau |work=[[Samoa News]] |quote=The last person sentenced to death in American Samoa was Imoa of Fagatogo in 1939, who was hanged. |access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> The popular Samoan song "Fa{{okina}}afofoga Samoa" is based on this, said to be the final words of Imoa.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

On January 13, 1942, at 2:26{{spaces}}am, a Japanese submarine surfaced off Tutuila between Southworth Point and [[Fagasa, American Samoa|Fagasa]] Bay and fired about 15 shells from its 5.5-inch deck gun at the U.S. Naval Station Tutuila over the next 10 minutes. The first shell struck the rear of Frank Shimasaki's store, ironically owned by one of Tutuila's few Japanese residents. The store was closed, as Mr. Shimasaki had been interned as an enemy alien. The next shell caused slight damage to the naval dispensary, the third landed on the lawn behind the naval quarters known as "Centipede Row," and the fourth struck the stone seawall outside the customs house. The other rounds fell harmlessly into the harbor. As one writer described it, "The fire was not returned, notwithstanding the eagerness of the Samoan Marines to test their skill against the enemy{{spaces}}... No American or Samoan Marines were wounded."<ref name="Enright">{{cite web|last=Enright |first=John |url=http://www.samoanews.com/?q=content/tutuila-wwii-cross-hairs-history-%E2%80%93-part-1 |title=Tutuila in WWII: In the Cross-hairs of History – Part 1 |publisher=Samoa News |access-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140130035912/http://www.samoanews.com/?q=content/tutuila-wwii-cross-hairs-history-%E2%80%93-part-1 |archive-date=January 30, 2014 }}</ref> Commander Edwin B. Robinson was bicycling behind Centipede Row and was wounded in the knee by a piece of [[Shrapnel (fragment)|shrapnel]], and "a member of the colorful native Fita Fita Guard" received minor injuries; they were the only casualties. This was the only time the Japanese attacked Tutuila during [[World War II]], although "Japanese submarines had patrolled the waters around Samoa before the war, and continued to be active there throughout the war."<ref name="Enright"/>

On August 24, 1943, First Lady [[Eleanor Roosevelt]] visited American Samoa and inspected the Fita Fita Guard and Band and the First Samoan Battalion of U.S. Marine Corps Reserve at the U.S. Naval Station American Samoa.<ref name="Shaffer-2000">Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). ''American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag''. Island Heritage. {{ISBN|978-0896103399}}.</ref>{{rp|178}}<ref>{{cite web|author=Eleanor Roosevelt in the Pacific|url=http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2012/07/eleanor-roosevelt-in-the-pacific/ |title=David Huebner – US Ambassador to New Zealand |publisher=Blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov |date=July 8, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227065234/http://blogs.newzealand.usembassy.gov/ambassador/2012/07/eleanor-roosevelt-in-the-pacific/ |archive-date=February 27, 2013}}</ref> The fact that First Lady reviewed the troops led to further assurance that Tutuila Island was considered safe.<ref>Kennedy, Joseph (2009). ''The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony''. University of Hawaii Press. p. 218. {{ISBN|978-0980033151}}.</ref> Her presence underscored that World War II had passed by American Samoa. While the Fita Fita band played, Eleanor Roosevelt inspected the guard.<ref name=Ruck>Ruck, Rob (2018). ''Tropic of Football: The Long and Perilous Journey of Samoans to the NFL''. The New Press. {{ISBN|978-1620973387}}.</ref>

On October 18, 1966, President [[Lyndon Baines Johnson]] and First Lady [[Lady Bird Johnson]] visited American Samoa. Mrs. Johnson dedicated the "Manulele Tausala" ("Lady Bird") Elementary School in [[Nu{{okina}}ouli, American Samoa|Nu{{okina}}uuli]], which was named after her. Johnson is the only US president to have visited American Samoa, while Mrs. Johnson was the second First Lady, preceded by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1943.<ref name="Shaffer-2000"/>{{rp|192}} The territory's only hospital was renamed the [[LBJ Tropical Medical Center]] in honor of President Johnson.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=27945 |title=Lyndon B. Johnson: Remarks Upon Arrival at Tafuna International Airport, Pago Pago, American Samoa |publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu |date=October 18, 1966 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525021435/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=27945 |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, American Samoa played a pivotal role in five of the [[Apollo program|Apollo Program missions]]. The astronauts landed several hundred miles from Pago and were transported to the islands en route back to the mainland. President [[Richard Nixon]] gave three [[Moon rocks]] to the American Samoan government, which are currently on display in the Jean P. Haydon Museum along with a flag carried to the Moon on one of the missions.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://history.nasa.gov/apollo.html |title=NASA History – The Apollo Program |publisher=History.nasa.gov |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526040334/http://history.nasa.gov/apollo.html |archive-date=May 26, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In November 1970, [[Pope Paul VI]] visited American Samoa in a brief but lavish greeting.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|292}}

On January 30, 1974, [[Pan Am Flight 806]] from [[Auckland]], New Zealand, crashed at Pago Pago International Airport at 10:41{{spaces}}pm, with 91 passengers aboard. 86 people were killed, including Captain Leroy A. Petersen and the entire flight crew. Four of the five surviving passengers were seriously injured, with the other only slightly injured. The airliner was destroyed by the impact and succeeding fire. The crash was attributed to poor visibility, pilot error, or wind shear since a violent storm was raging at the time.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.samoanews.com/?q=node/80385 |title=Pago Pago's Worst Air Disaster, Pan Am Flight 806, Subject of Documentary|date=January 22, 2014|publisher=Samoa News |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201204749/http://www.samoanews.com/?q=node%2F80385 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref> In January 2014, filmmaker Paul Crompton visited the territory to interview local residents for a documentary film about the 1974 crash.

As part of the [[Flag Day (United States)|Flag Day]] celebrations on April 17, 1980, a U.S. Navy [[P-3 Orion]] patrol plane from [[VP-50|Patrol Squadron 50]] took off with  six skydivers from the U.S. Army's Hawaii-based Tropic Lightning Parachute Club. The aeroplane contacted the Solo Ridge-Mount Alava [[aerial tramway]] cable across Pago Pago harbor, which sheared off its vertical stabilizer. The aircraft crashed, demolishing a wing of the [[Rainmaker Hotel]] and killing all six crew members and one civilian. The six skydivers had already left the aircraft during a demonstration jump. A memorial monument is erected on Mt. Mauga O Ali{{okina}}i to honor their memory.

On November 1, 1988, President [[Ronald Reagan]] signed a bill which created [[American Samoa National Park]].<ref>Swaney, Deanna (1994). ''Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit''. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 164. {{ISBN|978-0864422255}}.</ref>

===21st century===
On July 22, 2010, Detective Lieutenant Lusila Brown was fatally shot outside the temporary High Court building in Fagatogo. It was the first time in more than 15 years that a police officer was killed in the line of duty. The last was Sa Fuimaono, who drowned after saving a teenager from rough seas.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/23/man-fatally-shoots-american-samoa-police-officer-outside-courthouse-just/ |title=Man fatally shoots American Samoa police officer outside courthouse just after hearing |work=Fox News |date=July 23, 2010 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223160716/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/07/23/man-fatally-shoots-american-samoa-police-officer-outside-courthouse-just/ |archive-date=February 23, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

On November 8, 2010, [[United States Secretary of State]] and former [[First Lady of the United States|First Lady]] [[Hillary Clinton]] made a refueling stopover at the [[Pago Pago International Airport]]. She was greeted by government dignitaries and presented with gifts and a traditional kava ceremony.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.staradvertiser.com/2010/11/08/breaking-news/clinton-visits-american-samoa-after-two-week-trip-to-asia/ |title=Clinton visits American Samoa after two-week trip to Asia |publisher=Honolulu Star Advertiser |date=November 8, 2010 |access-date=August 16, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170816111258/http://www.staradvertiser.com/2010/11/08/breaking-news/clinton-visits-american-samoa-after-two-week-trip-to-asia/ |archive-date=August 16, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

[[Mike Pence]] was the third sitting U.S. vice president to visit American Samoa (after [[Dan Quayle]] and [[Joe Biden]])<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/329073/us-vice-president-to-dedicate-american-samoa-clinic-to-%27eni%27|title=US Vice-President to dedicate American Samoa clinic to 'Eni'|date=April 19, 2017|website=[[RNZ]] |access-date=October 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191019160557/https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/pacific/329073/us-vice-president-to-dedicate-american-samoa-clinic-to-%27eni%27|archive-date=October 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> when he made a stopover in Pago Pago in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/24/mike-pence-return-home-hawaii-237510|title=Pence cutting Pacific trip short|website=Politico|date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020083812/http://www.politico.com/story/2017/04/24/mike-pence-return-home-hawaii-237510|archive-date=October 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He addressed 200 soldiers here during his refueling stop.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-cuts-short-his-stop-in-hawaii-to-deal-with-domestic-issues/|title=Mike Pence cuts short his stop in Hawaii to deal with domestic issues|website=CBS News|date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=November 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171020083729/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mike-pence-cuts-short-his-stop-in-hawaii-to-deal-with-domestic-issues/|archive-date=October 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> U.S. Secretary of State [[Rex Tillerson]] visited town on June 3, 2017.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aumua-and-governor-talk-issues-secretary-state-tillerson |title=Aumua And Governor Talk AS Issues With Secretary Of State Tillerson |date=June 6, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2021 |archive-date=April 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414111112/https://radewagen.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/aumua-and-governor-talk-issues-secretary-state-tillerson |url-status=live }}</ref>

====September 2009 earthquake and tsunami====
[[File:Kermadec Arc.jpg|thumb|[[Tonga Trench]] south of the Samoa Islands and north of [[New Zealand]]]]
{{Main|2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami}}

On September 28, 2009, at 17:48:11 UTC, an 8.1 [[Richter magnitude scale|magnitude]] [[earthquake]] struck {{convert|120|mi|km}} off the coast of American Samoa, followed by smaller aftershocks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.interior.gov/emergency/factsheets/american-samoa-earthquake-and-tsunami-damage.cfm |title=American Samoa Earthquake and Tsunami |date=October 13, 2009 |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |access-date=September 22, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316150108/http://www.interior.gov/emergency/factsheets/american-samoa-earthquake-and-tsunami-damage.cfm |archive-date=March 16, 2013 }}</ref> It was the [[List of 21st-century earthquakes#2009|largest]] earthquake of 2009. The quake occurred on the [[Outer trench swell|outer rise]] of the [[Kermadec-Tonga Subduction Zone]]. This is part of the [[Pacific Ring of Fire]], where [[Plate tectonics|tectonic plates]] in the Earth's [[lithosphere]] meet, and earthquakes and volcanic activity are common. The quake struck {{convert|11.2|mi|km}} below the ocean floor and generated an onsetting [[tsunami]] that killed more than 170 people in the Samoa Islands and [[Tonga]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Pacific tsunami warning cancelled, Samoa takes brunt |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090929/ts_nm/us_quake_pacific_7 |agency=Reuters |date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003021152/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090929/ts_nm/us_quake_pacific_7 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Scores Are Killed as Tsunami Hits Samoa Islands |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/world/asia/01tsunami.html?hp |access-date=September 30, 2009 |work=The New York Times |first=Meraiah |last=Foley |date=October 1, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511234228/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/world/asia/01tsunami.html?hp |archive-date=May 11, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> Four waves with heights from {{convert|15|ft|m}} to {{convert|20|ft|m}} high were reported to have reached up to one mile (1.6{{spaces}}km) inland on the island of Tutuila.<ref>{{cite news|first=Stacey |last=Joyce |title=8.0 magnitude quake generates tsunami off Samoa islands |url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090929/ts_nm/us_quake_pacific_2 |agency=Reuters |date=September 29, 2009 |access-date=September 29, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003132335/http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090929/ts_nm/us_quake_pacific_2 |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Defense Logistics Agency]] worked with the [[Federal Emergency Management Agency]] to provide {{cvt|16|x|16|ft}} humanitarian tents to the devastated areas of American Samoa.

==Government and politics==
===Government===
{{Main|Government of American Samoa}}

American Samoa is classified in U.S. law as an [[unincorporated territories of the United States|unincorporated territory]]; the [[Ratification Act of 1929]] vested all civil, judicial, and military powers in the [[President of the United States]].<ref name="Americans, Almost and Forgotten"/> In 1951, with {{Executive Order|10264}}, President Harry Truman delegated that authority to the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of the Interior]]. On June 21, 1963 [[Tuli Le{{okina}}iato|Paramount Chief Tuli Le{{okina}}iato of Faga{{okina}}itua]] was sworn in and installed as the first Secretary of Samoan Affairs by Governor [[H. Rex Lee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKPOF-111-009.aspx|title=This folder contains material collected by the office of President John F. Kennedy's secretary, Evelyn Lincoln, concerning American Samoa, and consists of a letter to the President from Secretary of Samoan Affairs Le{{okina}}iato Tuli|website=jfklibrary.org|publisher=John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604162507/http://www.jfklibrary.org/Asset-Viewer/Archives/JFKPOF-111-009.aspx|archive-date=June 4, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 2, 1967, Interior Secretary [[Stewart Udall]] promulgated the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, which took effect on July 1, 1967.<ref name=constitution/>

[[File:Lemanu Peleti Mauga.jpg|thumb|left|[[Lemanu Peleti Mauga]], the [[List of governors of American Samoa|58th]] and incumbent Governor of American Samoa (2021–present)]]
The [[Governor of American Samoa]] is the [[head of government]] and along with the [[Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa]] is elected on the same [[Ticket (election)|ticket]] by [[Direct election|popular vote]] for a four-year term.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/4-0105-term-of-office/ 4.0105 Term of office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213645/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/4-0105-term-of-office/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> The governor's office is located in [[Utulei, American Samoa|Utulei]].<ref name=executive/><ref name=npsmap/> Since American Samoa is a U.S. territory, the President of the United States serves as the [[head of state]] but does not play a direct role in government. The Secretary of the Interior oversees the government, retaining the power to approve constitutional amendments, overrides the governor's [[veto]]es, and nomination of justices.<ref name=constitution/>

The [[legislative power]] is vested in the [[American Samoa Fono]], which has [[bicameralism|two chambers]]. The [[American Samoa House of Representatives|House of Representatives]] has 21 members serving two-year terms, being 20 representatives popularly elected from various districts and one non-voting delegate from [[Swains Island]] elected in a public meeting. The [[American Samoa Senate|Senate]] has 18 members, elected for four-year terms by and from the [[Fa{{okina}}amatai|chiefs of the islands]].<ref name=constitution/> The Fono is located in [[Fagatogo]].<ref name=noaa/><ref name=npsmap/>

The [[judiciary of American Samoa]] is composed of the [[High Court of American Samoa]], a District Court, and village courts.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0101-vesting-of-judicial-power/ 3.0101 Vesting of judicial power] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215149/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0101-vesting-of-judicial-power/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> The High Court and District Court are located in Fagatogo, near the Fono.<ref name=highcourt/><ref name=districtcourt/><ref name=noaa/> The High Court is led by a Chief Justice and an Associate Justice, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1001-chief-and-associate-justices-appointment/ 3.1001 Chief and Associate Justices-Appointment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213647/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1001-chief-and-associate-justices-appointment/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> Other judges are appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice and confirmed by the Senate.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1010-district-court-judges-term/ 3.1010 District court judges-Term] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215153/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1010-district-court-judges-term/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1004-associate-judges-appointment-term/ 3.1004 Associate judges-Appointment-Term] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215156/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-1004-associate-judges-appointment-term/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>

===Politics===
{{Main|Politics of American Samoa}}
{{See also|Elections in American Samoa|Political party strength in American Samoa}} 
American Samoa is an unincorporated and [[Territories of the United States|unorganized territory]] of the United States, administered by the [[Office of Insular Affairs]], [[U.S. Department of the Interior]]. American Samoa's constitution was ratified in 1966 and came into effect in 1967.

However, despite being [[de jure]] unorganized as no Organic Act for it has been adopted by the U.S. Congress, instead leaving power vested in the U.S. president, American Samoa is [[de facto]] organized, with its politics taking place in the framework of a [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[Dependent territory|dependency]], whereby the [[List of American Samoa Governors|Governor]] is the [[head of government]], and of a [[wikt:pluriform|pluriform]] [[multi-party system]].

[[Executive power]] is exercised by the governor. [[Legislative power]] is vested in the two chambers of the legislature. The [[Political parties in the United States|American political parties]] ([[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] and Democratic) exist in American Samoa, but few politicians are aligned with the parties. The [[judiciary]] is independent of the [[Executive (government)|executive]] and the [[legislature]].

There is also the traditional village politics of the Samoa Islands, the "[[fa{{okina}}amatai]]" and the "[[fa{{okina}}a Sāmoa]]", which continues in American Samoa and independent Samoa, and which interacts across these current boundaries. The fa{{okina}}a Sāmoa is the language and customs, and the fa{{okina}}amatai are the protocols of the "fono" (council) and the chief system. The fa{{okina}}amatai and the fono take place at all levels of the Samoan body politic, from the family to the village, to the region, to national matters.

The [[{{okina}}Aiga|{{okina}}aiga]] is the family unit of Samoan society, which differs from the Western sense of a family<ref>{{cite book |url=https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-GraIntr-c2.html |title=An Introduction to Samoan Custom |author=F. J. H. Grattan |chapter=The Organisation of Samoan Society |publisher=R. McMILLAN |location=Papakura |year=1948 |page=10 |access-date=June 30, 2022 |via=NZETC |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630023106/https://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-GraIntr-c2.html |url-status=live }}</ref> in that it consists of an "extended family" based on the culture's communal [[Political sociology|socio-political]] organization. The head of the {{okina}}aiga is the matai. The matai (chiefs) are elected by consensus within the fono of the extended family and village(s) concerned. The matai and the fono, which are themselves made of matai, decide on the distribution of family exchanges and tenancy of communal lands. The majority of lands in American Samoa and independent Samoa are [[Agricultural commune|communal]]. A matai can represent a small family group or a great extended family that reaches across islands and to both American Samoa and independent Samoa.

In 2010, voters rejected a [[American Samoan constitutional referendum, 2010|package of amendments]] to the territorial constitution, which would have, among other things, allowed U.S. citizens to be legislators only if they had Samoan ancestry.

In 2012, both the Governor and American Samoa's delegate to the U.S. Congress [[Eni Faleomavaega]] called for the populace to consider a move toward autonomy if not independence, with a mixed response.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/american-samoa-must-consider-independence-congressman/946070 |title=American Samoa must consider independence – congressman |publisher=Radioaustralia.net.au |date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030112711/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/radio/program/pacific-beat/american-samoa-must-consider-independence-congressman/946070 |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-05-18/call-for-independence-discussion-for-american-samoa/946016 |title=Call for independence discussion for American Samoa |publisher=Radioaustralia.net.au |date=May 18, 2012 |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030115729/http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-05-18/call-for-independence-discussion-for-american-samoa/946016 |archive-date=October 30, 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Nationality====
{{Further|Tuaua v. United States}}
[[File:American Samoa US national not US citizen passport message.jpg|thumb|Message in the passport of an American Samoan stating that the passport holder is a national, not citizen, of the U.S]]
According to the [[Immigration and Nationality Act]] (INA), the people born in American Samoa—including those born on [[Swains Island]]—are "[[national of the United States|nationals]] but not [[citizenship of the United States|citizens of the United States]] at birth".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/u-s-nationals-born-american-samoa-sue-citizenship-n860721 |title=U.S. nationals born in American Samoa sue for citizenship |agency=Associated Press |work=NBC News |access-date=October 1, 2018 |date=March 28, 2018  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928134312/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/u-s-nationals-born-american-samoa-sue-citizenship-n860721 |archive-date=September 28, 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{USC|8|1408}}. {{cite court |litigants=[[Tuaua v. United States]] |vol=788 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=300 |pinpoint= |court=D.C. Cir. |date=2015 |url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=14728241865713760068 }}; {{cite court |litigants=Mohammadi v. Islamic Republic of Iran |vol=782 |reporter=F.3d |opinion=9 |pinpoint=15 |court=D.C. Cir. |date=2015 |url=https://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=7134090926568961634#p15 |quote=The sole such statutory provision that presently confers [[United States nationality law|United States nationality]] upon non-citizens is 8 U.S.C. § 1408.}} {{cite court |litigants=Matter of Navas-Acosta |vol=23 |reporter=I. & N. Dec. |opinion=586 |pinpoint= |court=[[Board of Immigration Appeals|B.I.A.]] |date=2003 |url=https://www.justice.gov/sites/default/files/eoir/legacy/2014/07/25/3489.pdf }} See also {{USC|8|1483}} ("Restrictions on loss of nationality"); {{usc|8|1501|1503}}; {{uscsub|8|1252|b|5}} ("Treatment of nationality claims").</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Profile: The Samoas |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8282826.stm |work=[[BBC News]] |date=September 30, 2009 |access-date=September 30, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091003120346/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/8282826.stm |archive-date=October 3, 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> If a child is born on any of these islands to any U.S. citizen, then that child is considered a national and a citizen of the United States at birth.<ref>{{USC|8|1401}} ("Nationals and citizens of United States at birth").</ref> All U.S. nationals have statutory rights to reside in all parts of the United States, and may apply for citizenship by [[naturalization]] after three months of residency by paying a fee, passing a test in English and civics, and taking an oath of allegiance to the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10638.pdf|page=11 (p. 15 of the pdf)|title=America Samoa: Performing a Risk Assessment Would Better Inform U.S. Agencies of the Risks Related to Acceptance of Certificates of Identity|date=June 2010|publisher=[[Government Accountability Office|U.S. Government Accountability Office]]|access-date=September 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708073800/http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d10638.pdf|archive-date=July 8, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> All U.S. nationals also have the right to work in the United States, except in certain government jobs that specifically require U.S. citizenship.

The question of whether American Samoans should be granted citizenship is controversial in American Samoa, and the government of American Samoa is currently opposed to it.<ref name="rnz-2022">{{cite news |author=<!--not stated--> |date=November 21, 2022 |title=US citizenship issue divides American Samoans |url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/478853/us-citizenship-issue-divides-american-samoans |work=Radio New Zealand |access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref><ref name="van-dyke-2019">{{cite news |author=Michelle Broder Van Dyke |date=December 17, 2019 |title=Why some American Samoans don't want U.S. citizenship |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/why-some-american-samoans-don-t-want-u-s-citizenship-n1103256 |work=NBC News |access-date=August 25, 2024}}</ref> Those against citizenship worry that it would lead to federal judges overturning American Samoa's unique political system and land ownership customs, in which one must be at least 50% of Samoan ancestry to acquire land and land ownership is controlled by local families and ''matai''.<ref name="van-dyke-2019" /> Those in favor of citizenship claim the law discriminates against them unfairly, restricting their voting rights and their ability to serve in many public sector professions.<ref name="rnz-2022" />

In 2012, a group of American Samoans sued the federal government seeking recognition of birthright citizenship for American Samoans in the case ''[[Tuaua v. United States]]''. In an ''[[amicus curiae]]'' brief filed in federal court, American Samoan Congressman Faleomavaega supported the legal interpretation that the [[Citizenship Clause]] of the [[Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution|Fourteenth Amendment]] does not extend [[Birthright citizenship in the United States|birthright citizenship]] to United States nationals born in unincorporated territories.<ref>{{Citation |url=http://www.asbar.org/images/legal_issues/citizenship/tuaua%20v%20%20us%20faleomavaega%20amicus%20brief.pdf |title=Amicus Curiae Brief of Eni F. H. Faleomavaega |date=November 7, 2012 |quote=More than a century ago, the Supreme Court held that the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment does not extend birthright citizenship to United States nationals who are born in unincorporated territories. See Downes v. Bidwell, 182 US 244, 251 (1901). The Court has reaffirmed this principle through the years, noting that individuals who are born in an unincorporated territory, though "subject to the jurisdiction of the United States," are "American nationals" who are not birthright citizens of the United States. Barber v. Gonzales, 347 U.S. 637, 639 n.1 (1954). |access-date=April 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923174350/http://www.asbar.org/images/legal_issues/citizenship/tuaua%20v%20%20us%20faleomavaega%20amicus%20brief.pdf |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>[https://harvardlawreview.org/2017/04/american-samoa-and-the-citizenship-clause/ American Samoa and the Citizenship Clause: A Study in Insular Cases Revisionism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218222248/https://harvardlawreview.org/2017/04/american-samoa-and-the-citizenship-clause/ |date=December 18, 2019 }}. Chapter 3. Harvard Law Review. Retrieved January 7, 2018.</ref> In June 2015, the [[U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia]] affirmed that Fourteenth Amendment citizenship guarantees did not apply to persons born in unincorporated territories and a year later the U.S. Supreme Court declined to review the lower court's decision.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/american-samoa-birthright-citizenship-case-arrives-supreme-court-n510101 | title=American Samoa Citizenship Case Arrives at Supreme Court | work=NBC News | date=February 2, 2016 | access-date=February 17, 2016 | author=Wang, Frances Kai-Hwa | author-link=Frances Kai-Hwa Wang | archive-date=October 24, 2021 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024154410/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/american-samoa-birthright-citizenship-case-arrives-supreme-court-n510101 | url-status=live }}</ref>

In December 2019, U.S. District Judge [[Clark Waddoups]] struck down {{USCSub|8|1408|1}} as facially unconstitutional, holding that "Persons born in American Samoa are citizens of the United States by the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment",<ref>{{cite court |litigants=Fitisemanu v. US |vol=426 |reporter= F. Supp. 3d |opinion=1155 |court=D. Utah |date=December 12, 2019}}</ref> but the [[United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit]] reversed the district court's judgment and found the statute constitutional.<ref>[https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/opinions/010110549371.pdf Fitisemanu v. United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210810162411/https://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/sites/ca10/files/opinions/010110549371.pdf |date=August 10, 2021 }}, Nos. 20–4017 & 20–4019 (June 15, 2021).</ref> On July 20, 2021, the Legislature of American Samoa unanimously passed a resolution in support of the 10th Circuit Court's decision to reverse.<ref>{{Cite web|last=WILLIAMS|first=MICHAEL|date=September 15, 2021|title=INTERVENOR DEFENDANTS-APPELLANTS'BRIEF OPPOSING REHEARING EN BANC|url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/wethepeopleproject/pages/210/attachments/original/1631800678/Fitisemanu_-_American_Samoa_Response_to_En_Banc_Petition.pdf?1631800678|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210917203238/https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/wethepeopleproject/pages/210/attachments/original/1631800678/Fitisemanu_-_American_Samoa_Response_to_En_Banc_Petition.pdf?1631800678|archive-date=September 17, 2021|at=Exhibit A}}</ref>

=====Voting rights=====
As U.S. nationals, American Samoans can vote in local elections in the territory; however, if they live in other parts of the United States, they are [[Right of foreigners to vote in the United States|not allowed to vote]] in federal, state or the vast majority of local elections unless they become U.S. citizens. The only federal office American Samoans elect directly is a [[Delegate (United States Congress)|non-voting delegate]] to the [[United States House of Representatives]].<ref>Sunia, Fofō I. F. (1998). ''The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa: In Commemoration of the Golden Jubilee 1948–1998''. Pago Pago, AS: Legislature of American Samoa. pp. 234–235. {{ISBN|978-9829008015}}.</ref> Since the [[American Samoa's at-large congressional district|delegate's office]] was created in 1978, three people have held the seat: [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Fofō Iosefa Fiti Sunia]] (1981–1988); Democrat [[Eni Faleomavaega]] (1989–2015); and [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Aumua Amata Radewagen]] (2015–)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/223113-american-samoa-delegate-loses-seat/|title=American Samoa delegate loses seat|date=November 2014|newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]|access-date=November 8, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141108134331/http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/house-races/223113-american-samoa-delegate-loses-seat|archive-date=November 8, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> American Samoans also participate in partisan [[United States presidential primary|presidential primaries]], as well as send delegates to the [[Democratic National Convention|Democratic]] and [[Republican National Convention|Republican]] National Conventions.<ref>[https://aselectionoffice.gov/node/3 Registration information] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423092943/https://aselectionoffice.gov/node/3 |date=April 23, 2020 }}, Election Office of American Samoa.</ref>

====Immigration====
Unique among U.S. territories, American Samoa has its own immigration law, separate from the [[List of United States immigration laws|laws that apply]] in other parts of the United States. U.S. nationals may freely reside in American Samoa.{{efn|To travel to American Samoa, U.S. nationals need to show proof of existing residence or future employment in American Samoa, or a ticket for future departure from the territory.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/41-0502-entry-requirements/ 41.0502 Entry requirements] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201074653/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/41-0502-entry-requirements/ |date=December 1, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> However, once there, U.S. nationals may reside indefinitely and cannot be deported.<ref>[https://asbar.org/immigration-d39/ Immigration] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201074659/https://asbar.org/immigration-d39/ |date=December 1, 2022 }}, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>}} The American Samoan government, via its Immigration Office, controls the migration of foreign nationals to the islands.<ref>[http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-638 American Samoa: Performing a Risk Assessment Would Better Inform U.S. Agencies of the Risks Related to Acceptance of Certificates of Identity], U.S. Government Accountability Office, June 11, 2010. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116133123/http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-10-638 |date=November 16, 2017 }}</ref> Special application forms exist for migration to American Samoa based on family or employment sponsorship.<ref>[https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/copy-of-immigration-office-1 Immigration Office] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220327232447/https://www.legalaffairs.as.gov/copy-of-immigration-office-1 |date=March 27, 2022 }}, Department of Legal Affairs of American Samoa.</ref>

Unlike all other permanently inhabited U.S. jurisdictions ([[U.S. state|states]], [[District of Columbia]], [[Puerto Rico]], [[U.S. Virgin Islands]], [[Guam]] and [[Northern Mariana Islands]]), American Samoa is not considered a U.S. state for the purposes of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act.<ref>{{uscsub|8|1101|a|36}}; {{uscsub|8|1101|a|38}}.</ref> As a result, there is no path for immigrants to American Samoa to apply for U.S. citizenship, or U.S. nationality at all, without permanent residence in another U.S. jurisdiction.<ref>[https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/chapter4.pdf Who is eligible for naturalization?] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114235649/https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/guides/chapter4.pdf |date=January 14, 2021 }}, ''A Guide to Naturalization'', U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.</ref><ref>[https://www.samoanews.com/opinion/op-ed-lamentations-third-class-american-samoan-citizen Op-ed: "Lamentations of a third-class American Samoan citizen"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210112121648/https://www.samoanews.com/opinion/op-ed-lamentations-third-class-american-samoan-citizen |date=January 12, 2021 }}, Samoa News, July 23, 2018.</ref> In addition, foreign nationals who do have [[green card|lawful permanent residence in the United States]] may be considered to have abandoned it if they have moved to live in American Samoa, and time spent there does not count in the required period of U.S. presence for naturalization.<ref>[https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-3 Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 3 – Continuous Residence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210111072644/https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-3 |date=January 11, 2021 }}, [https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-4 Chapter 4 – Physical Presence] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125175148/https://www.uscis.gov/policy-manual/volume-12-part-d-chapter-4 |date=January 25, 2021 }}, ''Policy Manual'', U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, December 15, 2020. Until November 28, 2009, the [[Northern Mariana Islands]] were also not treated as a state for the purposes of maintaining U.S. permanent residence or physical presence for naturalization.</ref>

U.S. nationals without U.S. citizenship (the status of most American Samoans) have the right to reside in all parts of the United States without immigration restrictions. They also have the same rights as lawful permanent residents to sponsor foreign family members to immigrate to the United States (they may sponsor spouses and unmarried children), but not the same rights as U.S. citizens (who may also sponsor parents, married children, and siblings).<ref>[https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf Instructions for Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109104016/https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-130instr.pdf |date=January 9, 2021 }}, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.</ref>

====Land ownership====
Under American Samoan law, land ownership is subject to racial restrictions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|title=Craddick v. Territorial Registrar 1980 1ASR2d10|author=American Samoa Bar Association|website=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630094755/https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|url-status=live}}</ref> Since 1900, there have been three main categories of land ownership: native, individual, and freehold. Native land, which makes up over 90% of all land in the territory, is land under the communal ownership of an [[{{okina}}Aiga|{{okina}}aiga]], as opposed to the private ownership of an individual. Freehold land, which makes up only about 2% of the total, is land which was granted to foreigners before the U.S. took possession of the territory in 1900 and whose owners have not chosen to revert to native or individual land status.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asbar.org/code-annotated/37-0201-definitions|title=American Samoa Code Annotated 37.0201 Definitions|author=American Samoa Bar Association|website=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=June 10, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610140646/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/37-0201-definitions/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://islandstudies.com/files/2016/11/American-Samoa.pdf|title=American Samoa|author=Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island|website=Institute of Island Studies, UPEI|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=March 19, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230319165046/https://islandstudies.com/files/2016/11/American-Samoa.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

The American Samoa Code (Annotated) prohibits the transfer of ownership (whether by sale or otherwise) of any land other than freehold land to any person who has less than one-half native Samoan blood, which in this context includes both American and Western Samoa.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|title=Craddick v. Territorial Registrar 1980 1ASR2d10|author=American Samoa Bar Association|website=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630094755/https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, it is prohibited to transfer ownership of any native (communal) land to any person who is not a full-blooded native Samoan: this includes any person who has any non-native blood whatsoever, even if they are more than one-half native Samoan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|title=Craddick v. Territorial Registrar 1980 1ASR2d10|author=American Samoa Bar Association|website=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630094755/https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Radiolab">{{cite web |title=Americanish |date=April 10, 2019 |format=Audio Podcast with Notes |author=Julia Longoria |website=Radiolab |language=en |url=https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/americanish |access-date=April 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430154326/https://www.wnycstudios.org/story/americanish |archive-date=April 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In ''Craddick v. Territorial Registrar'', 1 Am. Samoa 2d. 10, 14 (1980), the Appellate Division of the High Court of American Samoa held that while these laws created a classification based on race, they did not violate the guarantees of equal protection and due process contained in the U.S. Constitution and the Revised American Samoan Constitution. Given the cruciality of land ownership and the communal ownership structure to American Samoan culture, and the American Samoan government's vital and demonstrated interest in preserving Samoan land and culture, the Court found that the laws in question pursued a proper purpose rather than a discriminatory one, and, being necessary to achieve that purpose, were sufficiently justified and thus constitutional.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|title=Craddick v. Territorial Registrar 1980 1ASR2d10|author=American Samoa Bar Association|website=American Samoa Bar Association|access-date=December 8, 2022|archive-date=June 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230630094755/https://asbar.org/case-law/1asr2d10/|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Official protest to naming of neighboring Samoa====
The U.S. Embassy in Samoa notes that: "In July 1997 the Constitution was amended to change the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa. Samoa had been known simply as Samoa in the United Nations since joining the organization in 1976. The neighboring U.S. territory of American Samoa protested the move, feeling that the change diminished its own Samoan identity. American Samoans still use the terms Western Samoa and Western Samoans."<ref>[https://ws.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/samoan-history/ Samoan history] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513160552/https://ws.usembassy.gov/our-relationship/policy-history/samoan-history/ |date=May 13, 2022 }}, U.S. Embassy in Samoa.</ref>

===Administrative divisions===
{{infobox
| image            = {{Image label begin|image=Counties of American Samoa.png|width=700}} 
{{Image label|x=0.077|y=0.040|scale=700|text=''[[Swains Island]]''}}
{{Image label|x=0.846|y=0.361|scale=700|text=''[[Rose Atoll]]''}}
{{Image label|x=0.430|y=0.239|scale=700|text=[[Sa{{okina}}ole County|Sa{{okina}}ole]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.580|y=0.055|scale=700|text=[[Ofu County|Ofu]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.686|y=0.049|scale=700|text=[[Olosega County|Olosega]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.859|y=0.176|scale=700|text=[[Ta{{okina}}ū County|Ta{{okina}}ū]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.810|y=0.109|scale=700|text=[[Faleāsao County|Faleasao]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.913|y=0.140|scale=700|text=[[Fiti{{okina}}uta County|Fitiuta]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.353|y=0.153|scale=700|text=[[Vaifanua County|Vaifanua]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.353|y=0.207|scale=700|text=[[Su{{okina}}a County|Sua]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.331|y=0.159|scale=700|text=╱}}
{{Image label|x=0.425|y=0.165|scale=700|text=╲}}
{{Image label|x=0.171|y=0.187|scale=700|text=[[Ma{{okina}}opūtasi County|Ma{{okina}}oputasi]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.229|y=0.266|scale=700|text=[[Itū{{okina}}au County|Itu{{okina}}au]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.176|y=0.310|scale=700|text=[[Tuālāuta County|Tualauta]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.130|y=0.267|scale=700|text=[[Leasina County|Leasina]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.054|y=0.293|scale=700|text=[[Lealataua County|Lealataua]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.091|y=0.329|scale=700|text=[[Fofo County|Fofo]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.103|y=0.375|scale=700|text=[[Tualatai County|Tualatai]]}}
{{Image label|x=0.050|y=0.222|scale=700|text='''[[Western District, American Samoa|Western District]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.294|y=0.280|scale=700|text='''[[Eastern District, American Samoa|Eastern District]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.679|y=0.143|scale=700|text='''[[Manu{{okina}}a District]]'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.482|y=0.395|scale=700|text=''[[Pacific Ocean|<span style="color:#48A3B5">Pacific Ocean</span>]]''}}
{{Image label|x=0.259|y=0.337|scale=700|text=''[[Tutuila]]''}}
{{Image label|x=0.464|y=0.257|scale=700|text=''[[Aunu{{okina}}u]]''}}
{{Image label|x=0.579|y=0.100|scale=700|text=''[[Ofu-Olosega]]''}}
{{Image label|x=0.910|y=0.216|scale=700|text=''[[Ta{{okina}}ū]]''}}
{{Image label end}}
| caption          = <span style="position:relative; bottom:-3px">''Islands'', ''atolls'', '''districts''' and counties of American Samoa{{efn|An American Samoan law of 1962 defined 14 counties.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/5-0102-division-of-districts-into-counties/ 5.0102 Division of districts into counties] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215151/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/5-0102-division-of-districts-into-counties/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Annontated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> The constitution of 1967, signed by delegates from these 14 counties, established 15 counties from then on, separating Fofo from Lealataua.<ref name=constitution/> The election law was later revised accordingly.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ 2.0202 Districts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215152/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0202-districts/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Annontated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0302-districts/ 2.0302 Districts] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213642/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/2-0302-districts/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Annontated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/6-0102-definitions/ 6.0102 Definitions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215152/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/6-0102-definitions/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Annontated Code of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> However, the U.S. Census Bureau continues to list 14 counties, treating Fofo as part of Lealataua.<ref name=census-counties/>}}<ref>[https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd116/cd_based/ST60/CD116_AS00.pdf 116th Congress of the United States, American Samoa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210204201454/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/cong_dist/cd116/cd_based/ST60/CD116_AS00.pdf |date=February 4, 2021 }}, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref></span>
}}

{{Main|Administrative divisions of American Samoa}}

American Samoa is administratively divided into three [[district]]s{{snd}}[[Western District, American Samoa|Western]], [[Eastern District, American Samoa|Eastern]] and [[Manu{{okina}}a District|Manu{{okina}}a]]{{snd}}and two "unorganized" atolls, [[Swains Island]] and the uninhabited [[Rose Atoll]]. The districts are subdivided into counties and villages. [[Pago Pago]], often cited as the capital of American Samoa,{{efn|name=capital|The constitution specifies the seat of government at [[Fagatogo]], where the [[American Samoa Fono|legislature]], [[High Court of American Samoa|High Court]] and District Court are located.<ref name=constitution>[http://asbar.org/revised-constitution-of-american-samoa Revised Constitution of American Samoa], American Samoa Bar Association. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113214237/http://asbar.org/revised-constitution-of-american-samoa/ |date=January 13, 2021 }}</ref><ref name=highcourt>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0207-divisions-and-sessions-composition/ 3.0207 Divisions and sessions—Composition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215155/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0207-divisions-and-sessions-composition/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref name=districtcourt>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0303-sessions-petit-jury/ 3.0303 Sessions-Petit jury] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213648/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/3-0303-sessions-petit-jury/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref name=noaa>[https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/smo/triptotula.html American Samoa Observatory, Trip to Tula] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125190633/https://www.esrl.noaa.gov/gmd/obop/smo/triptotula.html |date=January 25, 2021 }}, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</ref> The executive office building is located in neighboring [[Utulei, American Samoa|Utulei]].<ref name=executive>[https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/americansamoa-offices American Samoa Representative and Liaison Offices] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210301041717/https://www.doi.gov/oia/islands/americansamoa-offices |date=March 1, 2021 }}, U.S. Department of the Interior.</ref><ref name=npsmap>[https://www.nps.gov/carto/hfc/carto/media/NPSAmap4.pdf Tutuila Island Map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116050530/https://www.nps.gov/carto/hfc/carto/media/NPSAmap4.pdf |date=January 16, 2021 }}, National Park Service.</ref> These two villages are located along [[Pago Pago Harbor]], whose largest village is [[Pago Pago]]. Many sources list Pago Pago as the capital, referring to the whole agglomeration around the harbor.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.statoids.com/uas.html |title=Districts of American Samoa |publisher=Statoids |access-date=January 11, 2021 |archive-date=April 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080421140339/http://www.statoids.com/uas.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CIAfactbook">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/american-samoa/ |title=American Samoa |access-date=August 30, 2019 |work=The World Factbook |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] |archive-date=January 29, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129115310/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/american-samoa/ |url-status=live }}</ref>}} is one of the largest villages and is located on the central part of Tutuila island in [[Ma{{okina}}opūtasi County|Ma{{okina}}oputasi County]].
{{clear}}

==Geography==
[[File:Aq-map.png|thumb|right|upright=1.15|Map of American Samoa]]
American Samoa, located within the geographical region of [[Oceania]], is one of only two possessions of the United States in the [[Southern Hemisphere]], the other being [[Jarvis Island]]. Its total land area is {{convert|76.1|sqmi|1}}—slightly larger than [[Washington, D.C.]]—consisting of five rugged, [[volcanic island]]s and two coral [[atoll]]s.<ref name="DOI">{{cite web|url=http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/asgpage.htm |title=Insular Area Summary for American Samoa |access-date=April 11, 2011 |date=April 6, 2010 |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009111944/http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/asgpage.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2009 }}</ref> 
[[File:Pola_island.jpg|thumb|left|Cockscomb Point on [[Pola Island]] is seen jutting into the ocean.]]
The five volcanic islands are [[Tutuila]], [[Aunu{{okina}}u]], [[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu]], [[Ofu-Olosega|Olosega]], and [[Ta{{okina}}ū]]. The coral atolls are [[Swains Island|Swains]] and [[Rose Atoll]]. Of the seven islands, Rose Atoll is the only [[Desert island|uninhabited]] one; it is a [[National Monument (United States)|Marine National Monument]]. American Samoa is the southernmost reach of the United States at fourteen degrees below the [[equator]].<ref>Rauzon, Mark J. (2016). ''Isles of Amnesia: The History, Geography, and Restoration of America's Forgotten Pacific Islands''. University of Hawai{{okina}}i Press, Latitude 20. p. 7. {{ISBN|978-0824846794}}.</ref>
[[File:Ofu Beach American Samoa US National Park Service.jpg|thumb|left|A view of American Samoa's Ofu Beach on [[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu Island]] in the [[Manu{{okina}}a Islands]]]]

Due to its positioning in the South [[Pacific Ocean]], it is frequently hit by [[tropical cyclones]] between November and April. Rose Atoll is the easternmost point of the territory. American Samoa's [[Rose Atoll]] is the [[Extreme points of the United States|southernmost point of the United States]].<ref>[https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/rose-atoll-marine-national-monument Rose Atoll Marine National Monument] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219113425/https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/rose-atoll-marine-national-monument |date=February 19, 2022 }}, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.</ref> American Samoa is home to the [[National Park of American Samoa]].

The highest mountains are: [[Lata Mountain]] ([[Ta{{okina}}ū]]), {{cvt|3170|ft}}; [[Matafao Peak]], {{cvt|2141|ft}}; Piumafua ([[Olosega]]), {{cvt|2095|ft}}; and Tumutumu ([[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu]]), {{cvt|1621|ft}}. [[Mount Pioa]], nicknamed the Rainmaker, is {{cvt|1718|ft}}.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|3}} American Samoa is also home to some of the world's highest sea cliffs at {{cvt|3000|ft}}.<ref>Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). ''Geology of National Parks''. Kendall Hunt. p. 603. {{ISBN|978-0787299705}}.</ref>

[[File:Vatia from the National Park of American Samoa.jpg|thumb|Coastline of American Samoa (in [[Vatia, American Samoa|Vatia]])]]
The [[Vailulu{{okina}}u]] seamount, an [[Submarine volcano|active submerged volcano]], lies {{convert|28|mi|km}} east of [[Ta{{okina}}ū]] in American Samoa. It was discovered in 1975 and has since been studied by an international team of scientists, contributing towards understanding of the Earth's fundamental processes.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/docs/hart2243.pdf |journal=Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems |title=Vailulu{{okina}}u undersea volcano: The New Samoa |series=Research Letter, Vol. 1. Paper number 2000GC000108 |last=Hart |first=S.R. |volume=1 |issue=12 |date=December 8, 2000 |pages=n/a |issn=1525-2027 |publisher=[[Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory]], [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] |access-date=March 20, 2011 |display-authors=etal |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514032601/http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/pubs/docs/hart2243.pdf |archive-date=May 14, 2011 |url-status=live |doi=10.1029/2000GC000108 |bibcode=2000GGG.....1.1056H |doi-access=free }}</ref> Growing inside the [[Volcanic crater|summit crater]] of Vailulu{{okina}}u is an active underwater [[volcanic cone]], named after Samoa's goddess of war, [[Nafanua]].

In American Samoa [[forest cover]] is around 86% of the total land area, equivalent to 17,130 hectares (ha) of forest in 2020, down from 18,070 hectares (ha) in 1990. In 2020, naturally regenerating forest covered 17,130 hectares (ha) and planted forest covered 0 hectares (ha). Of the naturally regenerating forest 1% was reported to be [[primary forest]] (consisting of native tree species with no clearly visible indications of human activity) and around 15% of the forest area was found within protected areas. For the year 2015, 0% of the forest area was reported to be under [[State ownership|public ownership]], 100% [[Private property|private ownership]] and 0% with ownership listed as other or unknown.<ref>{{Cite book |url=https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/a6e225da-4a31-4e06-818d-ca3aeadfd635/content |title=Terms and Definitions FRA 2025 Forest Resources Assessment, Working Paper 194 |publisher=Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |year=2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Global Forest Resources Assessment 2020, American Samoa |url=https://fra-data.fao.org/assessments/fra/2020/ASM/home/overview |website=Food Agriculture Organization of the United Nations}}</ref>

American Samoa lies within two terrestrial ecoregions: [[Samoan tropical moist forests]] and [[Western Polynesian tropical moist forests]].<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dinerstein|first1=Eric|author-link1=:de:Eric Dinersein|last2=Olson|first2=David|last3=Joshi|first3=Anup|last4=Vynne|first4=Carly|last5=Burgess|first5=Neil D.|last6=Wikramanayake|first6=Eric|author-link6=Eric Wikramanayake|last7=Hahn|first7=Nathan|last8=Palminteri|first8=Suzanne|last9=Hedao|first9=Prashant|last10=Noss|first10=Reed|author-link10=Reed Noss|last11=Hansen|first11=Matt|last12=Locke|author-link12=Harvey Locke|first12=Harvey|last13=Ellis|first13=Erle C|author-link13=Erle Ellis|last14=Jones|first14=Benjamin|last15=Barber|first15=Charles Victor|last16=Hayes|first16=Randy|last17=Kormos|first17=Cyril|last18=Martin|first18=Vance|author-link18=Vance Martin|last19=Crist|first19=Eileen|last20=Sechrest|first20=Wes|last21=Price|first21=Lori|last22=Baillie|first22=Jonathan E. M.|last23=Weeden|first23=Don|last24=Suckling|first24=Kierán|author-link24=Kieran Suckling|last25=Davis|first25=Crystal|last26=Sizer|first26=Nigel|last27=Moore|first27=Rebecca|last28=Thau|first28=David|last29=Birch|first29=Tanya|last30=Potapov|first30=Peter|last31=Turubanova|first31=Svetlana|last32=Tyukavina|first32=Alexandra|last33=de Souza|first33=Nadia|last34=Pintea|first34=Lilian|last35=Brito|first35=José C.|last36=Llewellyn|first36=Othman A.|last37=Miller|first37=Anthony G.|last38=Patzelt|first38=Annette|last39=Ghazanfar|first39=Shahina A.|author-link39=Shahina A. Ghazanfar|last40=Timberlake|first40=Jonathan|last41=Klöser|first41=Heinz|last42=Shennan-Farpón|first42=Yara|last43=Kindt|first43=Roeland|last44=Lillesø|first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow|last45=van Breugel|first45=Paulo|last46=Graudal|first46=Lars|last47=Voge|first47=Maianna|last48=Al-Shammari|first48=Khalaf F.|last49=Saleem|first49=Muhammad|title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm|journal=BioScience|volume=67|issue=6|year=2017|pages=534–545|issn=0006-3568|doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014|pmid=28608869|pmc=5451287}}</ref>

==Climate==
[[File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Pago Pago Area, AS(ThreadEx).svg|thumb|right|Climate chart for Pago Pago]]
American Samoa has a [[tropical climate]] all year round with two distinct [[Season#Tropics|seasons]], the [[Wet season|wet]] and [[dry season]]. The wet season is usually between December and March and the dry season is from April through to September with the average daily temperature around {{convert|81–83|F|C}} all year round.
<!-- A start: <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nps.gov/archive/npsa/what2pack.htm |title=Climate |publisher=[[National Park of American Samoa]] |date=December 22, 2004 |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129184828/http://www.nps.gov/archive/npsa/what2pack.htm |archive-date=November 29, 2010}}</ref> -->

The climate is warm, tropical, and humid, averaging around {{convert|80|F|C|1|disp=or}}, with a variation of about {{convert|15|F-change|C-change|0|disp=or}} during the year. The southern hemisphere winter, from June to September, is the coolest time of the year. The summer months of December to March bring hotter temperatures, while the months from April to November are considered the "dry" season. Throughout the year, however, rain follows clouds blown in by the trade winds that rise from the east almost daily. The mountains of the [[Pago Pago]] area, standing over [[Pago Pago Harbor]], catch these clouds, bringing an average of {{convert|200|in|mm|-2|disp=or|sp=us}} of rainfall per year.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|4}}

{{Weather box
|location = [[Pago Pago International Airport]], Pago Pago (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1957–present)
|single line = Yes
|collapsed = Yes 
|width = auto 
|Jan record high F = 95
|Feb record high F = 99
|Mar record high F = 95
|Apr record high F = 95
|May record high F = 93
|Jun record high F = 95
|Jul record high F = 91
|Aug record high F = 92
|Sep record high F = 92
|Oct record high F = 94
|Nov record high F = 95 
|Dec record high F = 94
|year record high F = 99
|Jan high F = 87.8
|Feb high F = 88.1
|Mar high F = 88.4
|Apr high F = 87.8
|May high F = 86.5
|Jun high F = 85.3
|Jul high F = 84.6
|Aug high F = 84.8
|Sep high F = 85.7
|Oct high F = 86.4
|Nov high F = 87.0
|Dec high F = 87.6
|year high F = 86.7
|Jan mean F = 83.0
|Feb mean F = 83.2
|Mar mean F = 83.3
|Apr mean F = 83.0
|May mean F = 82.2
|Jun mean F = 81.5
|Jul mean F = 80.9
|Aug mean F = 80.9
|Sep mean F = 81.6
|Oct mean F = 82.1
|Nov mean F = 82.5
|Dec mean F = 82.9
|year mean F = 82.3
|Jan low F = 78.2
|Feb low F = 78.3
|Mar low F = 78.2
|Apr low F = 78.1
|May low F = 77.9
|Jun low F = 77.8
|Jul low F = 77.2
|Aug low F = 77.0
|Sep low F = 77.5
|Oct low F = 77.7
|Nov low F = 78.0
|Dec low F = 78.2
|year low F = 77.8
|Jan record low F = 67
|Feb record low F = 65
|Mar record low F = 63
|Apr record low F = 68
|May record low F = 65
|Jun record low F = 61
|Jul record low F = 62
|Aug record low F = 60
|Sep record low F = 62
|Oct record low F = 59
|Nov record low F = 60
|Dec record low F = 65
|year record low F = 59
| Jan avg record high F = 91.0
| Feb avg record high F = 91.3
| Mar avg record high F = 91.3
| Apr avg record high F = 90.7
| May avg record high F = 89.6
| Jun avg record high F = 88.0
| Jul avg record high F = 87.7
| Aug avg record high F = 88.0
| Sep avg record high F = 88.9
| Oct avg record high F = 89.6
| Nov avg record high F = 90.4
| Dec avg record high F = 90.7
|year avg record high F = 92.4
| Jan avg record low F = 75.1
| Feb avg record low F = 75.2
| Mar avg record low F = 75.0
| Apr avg record low F = 74.7
| May avg record low F = 73.6
| Jun avg record low F = 73.4
| Jul avg record low F = 72.4
| Aug avg record low F = 72.6
| Sep avg record low F = 73.3
| Oct avg record low F = 73.7
| Nov avg record low F = 73.9
| Dec avg record low F = 74.7
|year avg record low F = 70.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 15.25
|Feb precipitation inch = 13.70
|Mar precipitation inch = 10.95
|Apr precipitation inch = 11.27
|May precipitation inch = 11.73
|Jun precipitation inch = 6.37
|Jul precipitation inch = 7.51
|Aug precipitation inch = 6.93
|Sep precipitation inch = 7.99
|Oct precipitation inch = 10.24
|Nov precipitation inch = 12.05
|Dec precipitation inch = 14.35
|year precipitation inch = 128.34
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 24.3
|Feb precipitation days = 22.0
|Mar precipitation days = 23.8
|Apr precipitation days = 22.2
|May precipitation days = 20.8
|Jun precipitation days = 18.8
|Jul precipitation days = 20.0
|Aug precipitation days = 19.0
|Sep precipitation days = 18.4
|Oct precipitation days = 21.1
|Nov precipitation days = 21.3
|Dec precipitation days = 23.8
|year precipitation days = 255.5
|Jan humidity = 82.8
|Feb humidity = 83.3
|Mar humidity = 83.2
|Apr humidity = 84.0
|May humidity = 83.6
|Jun humidity = 82.0
|Jul humidity = 80.4
|Aug humidity = 79.8
|Sep humidity = 80.2
|Oct humidity = 81.5
|Nov humidity = 82.3
|Dec humidity = 82.1
|year humidity = 82.1
|Jan sun = 165.3
|Feb sun = 150.3
|Mar sun = 179.2
|Apr sun = 132.2
|May sun = 123.3
|Jun sun = 113.7
|Jul sun = 148.0
|Aug sun = 168.0
|Sep sun = 196.0
|Oct sun = 159.6
|Nov sun = 156.7
|Dec sun = 156.8
|year sun = 1849.1
|Jan percentsun = 41
|Feb percentsun = 43
|Mar percentsun = 48
|Apr percentsun = 37
|May percentsun = 35
|Jun percentsun = 34
|Jul percentsun = 42
|Aug percentsun = 47
|Sep percentsun = 54
|Oct percentsun = 41
|Nov percentsun = 41
|Dec percentsun = 39
|year percentsun = 42
|source 1 = NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990)<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=ppg
| title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = September 11, 2021
| archive-date = September 11, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210911150227/https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=ppg
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=AQW00061705&format=pdf
| title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991–2020
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = September 11, 2021
| archive-date = June 24, 2021
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210624202357/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=AQW00061705&format=pdf
| url-status = live
}}</ref><ref>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210911145834/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG__V/U1/91765.TXT
| archive-date = September 11, 2021
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/WMO/1961-1990/TABLES/REG__V/U1/91765.TXT
| title = WMO Climate Normals for Tafuna/American Samoa, PI 1961–1990
| publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]]
| access-date = September 11, 2021}}</ref> 
}}

===Climate change===

{{Excerpt|Climate change in American Samoa}}

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of American Samoa}}
[[File:Line4392_-_Flickr_-_NOAA_Photo_Library.jpg|thumb|Tuna boats in the port of [[Pago Pago]]]]

The economic health of American Samoa reflects the trends in other populated U.S. territories, which are in turn dependent on federal appropriations. Federal dollars enter the economy through congressional appropriations, categorical grants, [[Social Security (United States)|Social Security]] payments, and payments to Samoans retired from the [[United States Military|military]]. Tuna canning is the backbone of the American Samoa economy. Cannery employment and local auxiliary businesses provide additional revenues for the territorial government. In the mid-1960s, efforts began to develop a tourism industry in American Samoa. Efforts were delayed due to issues with inconsistent airline service, insufficient high-quality accommodations, and the lack of well-trained workers in the hospitality and tourism industries. Agriculture and fishing still provide sustenance for local families.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|8–9}}
[[File:Pago Pago - Breadfruit and Taro.jpg|thumb|[[Breadfruit]] and [[taro]] from Pago Pago]]
Employment on the island falls into three relatively equal-sized categories of approximately 5,000 workers each: the [[public sector]], the single remaining [[tuna]] [[cannery]], and the rest of the [[private sector]].

There are only a few [[Federal government of the United States|federal]] employees in American Samoa and a few [[active duty]] military personnel, except members of the [[United States Coast Guard|U.S. Coast Guard]], military recruiters, and some Full-Time Support staff at the Pele Army Reserve unit that maintains the facility and provides cadre, training, and logistics support. The Pele US Army Reserve Center is in [[Tafuna, American Samoa|Tafuna]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/2037494/readiness-of-american-samoan-army-reserve-soldiers-vital-in-the-pacific/ |title=Readiness of American Samoan Army Reserve Soldiers vital in the Pacific > U.S. Army Reserve > News |publisher=Usar.army.mil |access-date=April 27, 2020 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725054649/https://www.usar.army.mil/News/Article/2037494/readiness-of-american-samoan-army-reserve-soldiers-vital-in-the-pacific/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and a [[United States Army|U.S. Army]] and [[United States Marine Corps]] recruiting station is in [[Nu{{okina}}ouli, American Samoa|Nu{{okina}}uuli]].

There are six Army Reserve units at Pele:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.usar.army.mil/Featured/Army-Reserve-At-A-Glance/American-Samoa/ |title=American Samoa |access-date=May 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065118/http://www.usar.army.mil/Featured/Army-Reserve-At-A-Glance/American-Samoa/ |archive-date=May 14, 2018 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

* Bravo Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry
* Charlie Company, 100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry 
* 411th Forward Support Company (Engineer)
* USAR Theater Support Group Detachment American Samoa
* 1st Evacuation/Mortuary Platoon, 2nd Platoon, 962nd Quartermaster Company
* 127th Chaplain Detachment

[[File:Charlie_Tuna_AmSamoa.JPG|thumb|Mascot "[[Charlie the Tuna]]" at the [[StarKist]] cannery in [[Atu'u|Atu{{okina}}u]]]]
The overwhelming majority of public sector employees work for the American Samoa territorial government. One tuna cannery is [[StarKist Tuna|StarKist]], which exports several hundred million dollars worth of canned tuna to the United States each year. In early 2007, the Samoan economy was highlighted in the [[United States Congress|Congress]] at the request of [[Eni Faleomavaega]], the Samoan delegate to the [[United States House of Representatives]], as it was not mentioned in the [[minimum wage]] bill. It was given no exemption from the coming increases, which he protested as unfair to the Samoan economy. House Speaker [[Nancy Pelosi]] initially granted his request for an exemption, but backed down after being accused of serving special interests, since tuna packing company [[Chicken of the Sea]] was based in her district. Samoa Packing, a [[Chicken of the Sea]] [[subsidiary]] closed in 2009, citing both [[Minimum wage in the United States|minimum wage]] increases and increasing foreign competition, with the latter as the "main reason". Minimum wage in Samoa has been the topic of much debate, with the Samoan government and Chamber of Commerce strongly opposed, while businesses and workers hold nuanced views.<ref>{{Cite web|date=June 2020|title=American Samoa: Economic Trends, Status of the Tuna Canning Industry, and Stakeholders' Views on Minimum Wage Increases|url=https://www.gao.gov/assets/710/707498.pdf|access-date=December 24, 2020|website=gao.gov|archive-date=December 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201218223509/https://www.gao.gov//assets/710/707498.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.europac.net/commentaries/congress_sacks_samoan_economy |title=Congress Sacks Samoan Economy |publisher=Europac.net |date=January 22, 2010 |access-date=November 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028174335/http://www.europac.net/commentaries/congress_sacks_samoan_economy |archive-date=October 28, 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

===GDP===
From 2002 to 2007, [[Real gross domestic product|real GDP]] of American Samoa increased at an average annual rate of 0.4 percent. The annual growth rates of real GDP ranged from −2.9 percent to +2.1 percent. The volatility in the growth rates of real GDP was primarily accounted for by changes in the exports of canned tuna. The tuna canning industry was the largest private employer in American Samoa during this period. In 2017, GDP in American Samoa decreased by 5.8%, but in 2018 it increased by 2.2%.<ref name="bea2">{{cite web |url=https://www.bea.gov/news/2019/american-samoa-gdp-increases-2018 |title=American Samoa GDP Increases in 2018 |publisher=BEA.gov |date=August 28, 2019 |access-date=August 30, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190828222719/https://www.bea.gov/news/2019/american-samoa-gdp-increases-2018 |archive-date=August 28, 2019 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
{{update section|date=May 2020}}
{| class="wikitable"
|+ Summary statistics for American Samoa
|-
!
! 2002 !! 2003 !! 2004 !! 2005 !! 2006 !! 2007
! 2002–2007 AAGR{{sup|A}}
|-
! GDP{{sup|B}}
| 536 || 527 || 553 || 550 || 548 || 532
| −0.1%
|-
! Real GDP{{sup|C}}
| 527 || 535 || 539 || 550 || 534 || 537
| 0.4%
|-
! Population{{sup|D}}
| 60,800 || 62,600 || 64,100 || 65,500 || 66,900 || 68,200
| 2.3%
|-
! Real GDP per capita
| 8,668 || 8,546 || 8,409 || 8,397 || 7,982 || 7,874
| −1.9%
|} {{unbulleted list
 | {{small|{{sup|A}} Average annual growth rate.}}
 | {{small|{{sup|B}} In millions of dollars.}}
 | {{small|{{sup|C}} In millions of 2005 [[chained dollars]].}}
 | {{small|{{sup|D}} Source: 2008 American Samoa Statistical Yearbook.}}
}}

From 2002 to 2007, the population of American Samoa increased at an average annual rate of 2.3 percent, and real GDP per capita decreased at an average annual rate of 1.9 percent.

===Employment===
Agricultural production covers for domestic needs and only a small share of fruits and vegetables are exported. According to figures as of 2013, the ratio between import and export is almost balanced. Many residents rely on transfer payments from relatives living on the mainland or from federal subsidies.<ref>Schyma, Rosemarie (2013). ''Südsee''. DuMont Reiseverlag. p. 261. {{ISBN|9783770176946}}.</ref>

The [[Unemployment|unemployment rate]] was 29.8% in 2005 but improved to 23.8% {{As of|2010|lc=y}}. In 2020, American Samoa's GDP was $709{{spaces}}million.<ref name=worldbank>[https://data.worldbank.org/country/American-Samoa American Samoa] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830235807/https://data.worldbank.org/country/American-Samoa |date=August 30, 2019 }}, World Bank.</ref> Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $11,200 {{As of|2016|lc=y}}.<ref name="CIAfactbook"/>

===Minimum wage===
[[File:Deserted Beach near Tisa%27s Barefoot Bar - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Tisa's Barefoot Bar & Grill]]
The [[Fair Labor Standards Act|Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938]] has contained special provisions for American Samoa since its inception, citing its limited economy.<ref name=flsa205>{{cite web|url=https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/205- |title=FLSA section 205, "Special industry committees for American Samoa" |publisher=Law.cornell.edu |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100721100208/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/29/205- |archive-date=July 21, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref> American Samoan wages are based on the recommendations of a Special Industry Committee meeting bi-annually.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=10563 |title=Statement by the President Upon Signing the American Samoa Labor Standards Amendments of 1956 |publisher=Presidency.ucsb.edu |date=August 8, 1956 |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101206062745/http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=10563 |archive-date=December 6, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> Originally, the act contained provisions for other territories, provisions which were phased out as those territories developed more diverse economies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/as00_faleomavaega/minimumwage2007.html |title=Faleomavaega Comments On Minimum Wage Bill Now Before Congress |publisher=House.gov |date=January 10, 2007 |access-date=July 25, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081123012119/http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/as00_faleomavaega/minimumwage2007.html |archive-date=November 23, 2008 }}</ref>

In 2007, the [[Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007]] was passed, increasing the minimum wage in American Samoa by 50¢ per hour in 2007 and another 50¢ per hour each year thereafter until the minimum wage in American Samoa equals the [[Minimum wage in the United States|federal minimum wage]] of $7.25 per hour in the United States.<ref>{{usc|29|201}}. ''United States Government Printing Office''. Retrieved April 12, 2008.</ref> In response to the minimum wage increase, the [[Chicken of the Sea]] tuna canning plant was shut down in 2009, and 2,041 employees were laid off in the process.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2009/05/14/thousands-lose-jobs-due-to-higher-federal-minimum-wage/ |title=Thousands lose jobs due to higher federal minimum wage {{pipe}} Analysis & Opinion {{pipe}} |publisher=Blogs.reuters.com |date=May 14, 2009 |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515020720/http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2009/05/14/thousands-lose-jobs-due-to-higher-federal-minimum-wage/ |archive-date=May 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The other major tuna canning plant in American Samoa is [[StarKist]], which began laying off workers in August 2010, with plans to lay off a total of 800 workers due to the minimum wage increases and other rising operation costs.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/1358158 |agency=Taiwan News |title=Nearly 400 StarKist Co. cannery workers lose jobs |date=August 27, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-date=October 7, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007050522/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/1358158 |url-status=live }}</ref> American Samoa Governor [[Togiola Tulafono]] suggested that, rather than laying off minimum wage workers, the companies could reduce salaries and bonuses of top-tier employees.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HU11J80.htm |work=Business Week |title=American Samoa Gov. Tulafono criticizes StarKist |date=August 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516124558/http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HU11J80.htm |archive-date=May 16, 2011}}</ref>

===Taxation===
As in other U.S. territories, the U.S. federal government imposes [[Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax|payroll taxes]]<ref>[https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/persons-employed-in-a-us-possession-fica Persons Employed in a U.S. Possession/Territory – FICA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725074344/https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/persons-employed-in-a-us-possession-fica |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, December 19, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/persons-employed-in-a-us-possession-futa Persons Employed in a U.S. Possession/Territory – FUTA] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725061528/https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/persons-employed-in-a-us-possession-futa |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, April 17, 2020.</ref> and the equivalent self-employment tax<ref>[https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/individuals-living-or-working-in-us-possessions Individuals Living or Working in U.S. Territories/Possessions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601214921/https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/individuals-living-or-working-in-us-possessions |date=June 1, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, April 17, 2020.</ref> on income from work in American Samoa, but not the [[Income tax in the United States|federal income tax]] on income generated in American Samoa by its residents (except from work as U.S. government employees).<ref>[https://www.irs.gov/publications/p570 Publication 570, Tax Guide for Individuals With Income From U.S. Possessions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200603132000/https://www.irs.gov/publications/p570 |date=June 3, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, February 27, 2020.</ref> Instead, the government of American Samoa itself taxes the worldwide income of its residents, as well as the income generated there by nonresidents, largely under the same rules and rates as the U.S. tax code in effect in 2000,<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/11-0403-imposition-of-tax-citation/ 11.0403 Imposition of tax – Citation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215157/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/11-0403-imposition-of-tax-citation/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> with certain modifications such as a minimum tax rate of 4%.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/11-0503-section-5-added/ 11.0503 Section 5 added] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213649/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/11-0503-section-5-added/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref><ref>[https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/gov-lemanu-signs-tobacco-tax-legislation-law-2-wage-tax-repealed-after-13-years Gov. Lemanu signs tobacco tax legislation into law — 2% wage tax repealed after 13 years] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213659/https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/gov-lemanu-signs-tobacco-tax-legislation-law-2-wage-tax-repealed-after-13-years |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Samoa News, April 14, 2021.</ref> A similar situation applies to corporations.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gao.gov/archive/1998/og98005.pdf |title=U.S. Insular Areas, Application of the U.S. Constitution |page=37 |publisher=U.S. General Accounting Office |date=November 1997 |quote=[F]ederal individual and corporate income taxes as such are not currently imposed in the insular areas. |access-date=April 29, 2020 |archive-date=November 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103093032/http://www.gao.gov/archive/1998/og98005.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 1983, the use of citizenship in taxation by American Samoa (due to its incorporation of the U.S. tax code) was ruled unconstitutional.<ref>[https://asbar.org/case-law/american-samoa-govt-naber-v/ Naber v. American Samoa Government] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202215154/https://asbar.org/case-law/american-samoa-govt-naber-v/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>

The U.S. federal government does not impose [[Estate tax in the United States|estate]] or [[Gift tax in the United States|gift taxes]] on property not located in the United States (states and [[District of Columbia]]) owned by residents of a U.S. territory (including American Samoa) who are not U.S. citizens or who acquired U.S. citizenship by birth or naturalization in that same U.S. territory.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2209 26 U.S. Code § 2209. Certain residents of possessions considered nonresidents not citizens of the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725054103/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2209 |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Legal Information Institute.</ref> However, these taxes still apply to residents of a U.S. territory who acquired U.S. citizenship by birth or naturalization in a different part of the U.S. or by descent.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2208 26 U.S. Code § 2208. Certain residents of possessions considered citizens of the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725045811/https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/2208 |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Legal Information Institute.</ref> It has been argued that this distinction based on place of birth, and not only residence or citizenship, is a rare case of unconstitutional tax discrimination, but it has never been challenged in court.<ref>[https://www.academiajurisprudenciapr.org/citizenship-spurious-distinctions-for-tax-purposes/ Citizenship: Spurious Distinctions for Tax Purposes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200923083239/https://www.academiajurisprudenciapr.org/citizenship-spurious-distinctions-for-tax-purposes/ |date=September 23, 2020 }}, Noel González Miranda, Puerto Rican Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation.</ref> The government of American Samoa itself does not impose estate or gift taxes.<ref>[https://asbar.org/legal-resources/code-annotated/code-annotated-by-title-and-chapter/ Code Annotated by Title and Chapter] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213646/https://asbar.org/legal-resources/code-annotated/code-annotated-by-title-and-chapter/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref>

Unlike U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals without U.S. citizenship (the status of most American Samoans) who do not reside in the United States or any U.S. territory enjoy the unique combination of maintaining a [[United States passport|U.S. passport]] and the right of return to the U.S. while not being subject to U.S. federal income tax on their non-U.S. income,<ref>[https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040nr Instructions for Form 1040-NR, U.S. Nonresident Alien Income Tax Return] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725061533/https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i1040nr |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, April 3, 2020.</ref> or to U.S. federal estate or gift taxes on their non-U.S. property.<ref>[https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i706na Instructions for Form 706-NA, United States Estate (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return, Estate of nonresident not a citizen of the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725061355/https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i706na |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, July 2, 2019.</ref><ref>[https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i709 Instructions for Form 709, United States Gift (and Generation-Skipping Transfer) Tax Return] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200425085332/https://www.irs.gov/instructions/i709 |date=April 25, 2020 }}, Internal Revenue Service, December 19, 2019.</ref> U.S. citizens (or anyone) cannot acquire this status after birth.<ref>[https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Renunciaton-USCitizenship-persons-claiming-right-residence.html Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship by persons claiming right of residence in the United States] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200424104436/https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Renunciaton-USCitizenship-persons-claiming-right-residence.html |date=April 24, 2020 }}, U.S. Department of State.</ref><ref>[https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Certificates-Non-Citizen-Nationality.html Certificates of Non Citizen Nationality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531235348/https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/legal/travel-legal-considerations/us-citizenship/Certificates-Non-Citizen-Nationality.html |date=May 31, 2022 }}, U.S. Department of State.</ref>

American Samoa does not impose a sales tax, but it imposes a general import tax of 8%.<ref>[http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/09/27/american-samoa-sales-tax-plan-hold American Samoa Sales Tax Plan On Hold], Pacific Islands Report, September 27, 2017. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725051659/http://www.pireport.org/articles/2017/09/27/american-samoa-sales-tax-plan-hold |date=July 25, 2020 }}</ref><ref>[https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/excise-tax-increased-tuesday-week-%E2%80%94-beer-prices-go-too Excise tax increased as of Tuesday, this week — beer prices go up too] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725062308/https://www.samoanews.com/local-news/excise-tax-increased-tuesday-week-%E2%80%94-beer-prices-go-too |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Samoa News, April 26, 2018.</ref> American Samoa is an independent [[customs territory]], whose importation rules and taxes differ from those applicable to other parts of the United States.<ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/19/101.1 19 CFR § 101.1 – Definitions] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200507192933/https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/19/101.1 |date=May 7, 2020 }}, Legal Information Institute.</ref><ref>[https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/19/7.2 19 CFR § 7.2 – Insular possessions of the United States other than Puerto Rico] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725052321/https://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/19/7.2 |date=July 25, 2020 }}, Legal Information Institute.</ref>

===Telecommunications===

Some aspects of [[telecommunications in American Samoa]] are, like other [[United States territories|U.S. territories]], inferior to that of the mainland United States; a recent estimate showed that American Samoa's Internet speed is slower than that of several [[Eastern Europe]]an countries.<ref>[https://www.engadget.com/2012/07/04/most-expensive-internet-in-america-samoa-broadband-interview/ The most expensive internet in America: fighting to bring affordable broadband to American Samoa], Engadget, July 4, 2012. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043205/https://www.engadget.com/2012/07/04/most-expensive-internet-in-america-samoa-broadband-interview/ |date=December 1, 2017 }}</ref>

In 2012 Michael Calabrese, Daniel Calarco, and Colin Richardson stated that American Samoa had the most expensive internet of any U.S. territory and that the speeds were only slightly superior to those of [[dial-up internet]] in the U.S. Mainland in the 1990s. They also stated that many American Samoans are too poor to afford "high-speed internet".<ref>{{cite web|author=Calabrese, Michael|author2=Daniel Calarco|author3=Colin Richardson|url=https://slate.com/technology/2012/05/internet-access-and-cost-in-american-samoa-northern-marianas-islands-guam.html|title=The Most Expensive Internet in America|work=[[Slate (magazine)|Slate]]|date=May 24, 2012|access-date=January 6, 2020|archive-date=December 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218143415/https://slate.com/technology/2012/05/internet-access-and-cost-in-american-samoa-northern-marianas-islands-guam.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[File:American Samoa license plate 2011 5504.png|alt=|thumb|left|The current [[Vehicle registration plates of American Samoa|territorial license plate]] design, introduced in 2011]]
[[File:American Samoa Highway 001.svg|thumb|upright|American Samoa Route Marker – Main Road]]

American Samoa has 150 miles (240{{spaces}}km) of [[List of highways in American Samoa|highway]]s (estimated in 2008).<ref name=CIAfactbook/> The maximum speed limit is 30 miles per hour.<ref>[https://asbar.org/code-annotated/22-0323-speed-limits/ 22.0323 Speed limits] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213646/https://asbar.org/code-annotated/22-0323-speed-limits/ |date=December 2, 2022 }}, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.</ref> [[Port]]s and [[harbor]]s include [[Aunu{{okina}}u]], [[Auasi]], [[Faleasao]], [[Ofu-Olosega|Ofu]] and [[Pago Pago]].<ref name=CIAfactbook/> American Samoa has no railways.<ref name=CIAfactbook/> The territory has three [[airport]]s, all of which have paved [[runway]]s. The main airport is [[Pago Pago International Airport]],<ref name=CIAfactbook/> on the island of Tutuila. The Manu{{okina}}a group has two airports: [[Ofu Airport]] on the island of Ofu, and [[Fitiuta Airport]] on the island of Ta{{okina}}ū. According to a 1999 estimate, the territory has no [[merchant marine]].<ref name=CIAfactbook/>

On June 8, 1922, the first bus service on Tutuila began its operations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samoanews.com/local-news/freedom-run-and-obstacle-course-back-third-year|title=Freedom Run and Obstacle Course back for third year|date=June 11, 2018|website=www.samoanews.com|access-date=August 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190818220906/http://www.samoanews.com/local-news/freedom-run-and-obstacle-course-back-third-year|archive-date=August 18, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''{{okina}}aiga'' bus system travels across the island of [[Tutuila]].<ref>[https://www.americansamoa.travel/accommodation-transport Accommodation and transport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202213650/https://www.americansamoa.travel/accommodation-transport |date=December 2, 2022 }}, American Samoa Visitors Bureau.</ref><ref>[https://www.frommers.com/destinations/american-samoa/planning-a-trip Frommer's – Planning a trip in American Samoa]. Retrieved August 30, 2019. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190814172129/https://www.frommers.com/destinations/american-samoa/planning-a-trip |date=August 14, 2019 }}</ref>
{{clear left}}

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of American Samoa}}
As of 2022, the population of American Samoa is estimated around 45,443 people.<ref name="CIAfactbook"/> The [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] counted 49,710 people, 97.5% of whom lived on the largest island, [[Tutuila]].<ref name=census-counties>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/island-areas/american-samoa/population-and-housing-unit-counts/american-samoa-phc-table01.pdf Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206171554/https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/island-areas/american-samoa/population-and-housing-unit-counts/american-samoa-phc-table01.pdf |date=February 6, 2022 }}, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref><ref>[https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/island-areas/american-samoa/population-and-housing-unit-counts/american-samoa-phc-table02.pdf 2020 census population of American Samoa: village] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207042526/https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/data/island-areas/american-samoa/population-and-housing-unit-counts/american-samoa-phc-table02.pdf |date=December 7, 2022 }}, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref> About 57.6% of the population were born in American Samoa, 28.6% in independent [[Samoa]], 6.1% in other parts of the United States, 4.5% in [[Asia]], 2.9% in other parts of [[Oceania]], and 0.2% elsewhere. At least 69% of the population had a parent born outside American Samoa.<ref name=census-social>[https://data.census.gov/table?g=0400000US60&d=DECIA+American+Samoa+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDPAS2020.DP2 Selected social characteristics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201074658/https://data.census.gov/table?g=0400000US60&d=DECIA+American+Samoa+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDPAS2020.DP2 |date=December 1, 2022 }}, 2020 Decennial Census of the Island Areas, American Samoa demographic profile, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref>

American Samoa is small enough to have just one [[ZIP code]], 96799, and uses the [[United States Postal Service|U.S. Postal Service]] (state code "AS") for mail delivery.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zip-codes.com/city/AS-PAGO-PAGO.asp |title=Pago Pago, AS |work=Zip-Codes.com |publisher=Datasheer, LLC |access-date=January 24, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100226055132/http://www.zip-codes.com/city/AS-PAGO-PAGO.asp |archive-date=February 26, 2010 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.usps.com/send/official-abbreviations.htm |title=Official USPS Abbreviations |publisher=[[United States Postal Service]] |access-date=July 28, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140728013026/https://www.usps.com/send/official-abbreviations.htm |archive-date=July 28, 2014 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ethnicity and language===
In the 2020 census, 89.4% of the population reported at least partial [[Samoans|Samoan]] ethnicity, 83.2% only Samoan, 5.8% Asian, 5.5% other [[Pacific Islander|Pacific island ethnicities]], 4.4% [[Miscegenation|mixed]], and 1.1% other ethnicities.<ref name=census-general>[https://data.census.gov/table?g=0400000US60&d=DECIA+American+Samoa+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDPAS2020.DP1 General demographic characteristics] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201074650/https://data.census.gov/table?g=0400000US60&d=DECIA+American+Samoa+Demographic+Profile&tid=DECENNIALDPAS2020.DP1 |date=December 1, 2022 }}, 2020 Decennial Census of the Island Areas, American Samoa demographic profile, U.S. Census Bureau.</ref> The [[Samoan language]] was spoken at home by 87.9% of the population, while 6.1% spoke other [[Oceanic languages|Pacific island languages]], 3.3% spoke [[English language|English]], 2.1% spoke an [[Languages of Asia|Asian language]], and 0.5% spoke other languages; 47.2% of the population spoke English at home or "very well".<ref name=census-social/> In 2022, Samoan and English were designated as official languages of the territory.<ref>[https://www.talanei.com/2022/04/06/governor-signs-samoan-language-commission-law/ Governor signs Samoan Language Commission law] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201074653/https://www.talanei.com/2022/04/06/governor-signs-samoan-language-commission-law/ |date=December 1, 2022 }}, Talanei, April 6, 2022.</ref> At least some of the [[Hearing loss|deaf]] population use [[Samoan Sign Language]].

===Religion===
[[File:ZION_CHURCH_IN_LEONE,_AMERICAN_SAMOA.jpg|thumb|left|Zion Church in [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]]]]
Major [[Christian denomination]]s on the island include the [[Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa]], the [[Catholic Church]], The [[Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]], and the Methodist Church of Samoa. Collectively, these churches account for the vast majority of the population.

[[J. Gordon Melton]] in his book claims that [[Methodists]], [[Congregationalists]] with the [[London Missionary Society]], and [[Catholic Church|Catholics]] led the first Christian missions to the islands. Other denominations arrived later, beginning in 1895 with the [[Seventh-day Adventists]], various [[Pentecostals]] (including the [[Assemblies of God]]), [[Church of the Nazarene]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

[[File:Samoan church 4.JPG|thumb|right|One of many churches in Samoa]]
[[CIA Factbook]] 2010 estimate shows the religious affiliations of American Samoa as 98.3% [[Christians|Christian]], other 1%, unaffiliated 0.7%.<ref name=CIAfactbook/> World Christian Database 2010 estimate shows the religious affiliations of American Samoa as 98.3% Christian, 0.7% [[Agnosticism|agnostic]], 0.4% [[Chinese folk religion|Chinese Universalist]], 0.3% [[Buddhism|Buddhist]] and 0.3% followers of the [[Baháʼí Faith]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_5_2.asp |title=American Samoa: Adherents Profile at the Association of Religion Data Archives, World Christian Database |publisher=Thearda.com |access-date=February 26, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623082859/http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_5_2.asp |archive-date=June 23, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

According to [[Pew Research Center]], 98.3% of the total population is Christian. Among Christians, 59.5% are [[Protestant]], 19.7% are [[Catholic Church|Catholic]] and 19.2% are [[List of Christian denominations|other Christians]]. A major Protestant church on the island, gathering a substantial part of the local Protestant population, is the [[Congregational Christian Church in American Samoa]], a [[Reformed church|Reformed]] denomination in the [[Congregational church|Congregationalist tradition]]. {{As of|2023|4}}, [[The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints]] website claims a membership of 16,512 (nearly 30% of American Samoa's entire population), with 43 congregations and five family history centers.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/american-samoa |title=2022 LDS Facts and Statistics |publisher=Mormonnewsroom.org |access-date=April 11, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628010131/https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/facts-and-statistics/country/american-samoa |archive-date=June 28, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Jehovah's Witnesses]] claim 210 "ministers of the word" and three congregations.<ref>{{cite web|title=American Samoa: How Many Jehovah's Witnesses Are There?|url=https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/worldwide/AS/|website=JW.ORG|access-date=August 13, 2017|language=en|archive-date=December 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203213326/https://www.jw.org/en/jehovahs-witnesses/worldwide/AS/|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[Catholic Church]] has at least 18 churches in the territory<ref>{{Cite web |title=Churches in the Diocese of Samoa–Pago Pago |url=http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/local/samo1.htm |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=www.gcatholic.org |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618011221/http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/local/samo1.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> and 29 parishes<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Samoa-Pago Pago (Diocese) [Catholic-Hierarchy] |url=https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsamo.html |access-date=June 13, 2023 |website=www.catholic-hierarchy.org |archive-date=June 18, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230618011222/https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/diocese/dsamo.html |url-status=live }}</ref> under the Diocese of Samoa-Pago (Diœcesis Samoa-Pagopagensis)<ref name=":0" /> which was created in 1982 by [[Pope]] [[Pope John Paul II|John Paul II]] through the bull ''Studiose quidem''<ref>{{Cite web |title=«AAS 75 I [1983] – ACTA APOSTOLICAE SEDIS Regio civili ratione " Samoa Americana " appellata a dioecesi Samoana et Tokelauna seiungitur et nova dioecesis conditur nomine Samoa-Pagopagensis.». |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-75-1983-I-ocr.pdf |access-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531120450/https://www.vatican.va/archive/aas/documents/AAS-75-1983-I-ocr.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> and constitutes a [[Suffragan diocese|suffragan see]] of the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia. The bishop has his see in the [[Cathedral of the Holy Family (Tafuna, American Samoa)|Cathedral of the Holy Family]] in Tafuna and in the [[Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph the Worker (Fagatogo, American Samoa)|Co-cathedral of St. Joseph the Worker]] in Fagatogo.

===Education===
[[File:American_samoa_community_college.jpg|thumb|left|[[American Samoa Community College]]]]
The island contains 23 [[primary school]]s. Of the ten [[secondary school]]s, five are operated by the [[American Samoa Department of Education]];<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doe.as/ |title=Welcome to ASDOE Website |publisher=Doe.as |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100919171445/http://www.doe.as/ |archive-date=September 19, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> the other five are either administered by [[Parochial school|religious denominations]] or are [[Private school|privately owned]]. [[American Samoa Community College]], founded in 1970, provides [[Higher education|post-secondary education]] on the islands.

[[File:Leone high school.jpg|thumb|right|[[Leone High School]]]]
American Samoa was home to one high school as of 1961, which existed due to the matai's pressure on the naval governor to transform the old Marine barracks at [[Utulei]] into a school. The teenagers of well-off and more politically connected families attended the school, which would later be known as [[Samoana High School]]. With a median age of 15, the demand for more high schools was increasing, and three new high schools were established by 1968. Another two soon followed, and by 1979, 2,800 high school students were attending six public and private high schools in American Samoa. Looking for a cost-effective way for educational reformation, Governor [[H. Rex Lee]] introduced the public television system in 1964.<ref name=Ruck />

When TV was introduced, there were 6,000 educational programs produced annually; by 1981, only one series comprising 40-minute 
lessons in [[English language]] skills was still aired. One of the side effects of [[advertising]] in popular programming from the U.S. was an increase in sales of [[over-the-counter drug]]s such as [[Pepto Bismol]] and [[Sominex]], with television being directly blamed for the decline of village life.<ref>{{cite news |last=Viviano |first=Frank |date=August 3, 1981 |title=Coming of age in Samoa was radically changed by TV |work=[[The Southern Illinoisan]] |volume=89 |issue=183 |page=4 |via=[[NewspaperArchive.com]]}}</ref>

==Culture==
{{See also|Culture of Samoa}}
[[File:Jean p haydon museum.png|thumb|right|[[Jean P. Haydon Museum]] in [[Pago Pago]]]]
The Samoan culture has developed over 3,500 years and largely withstood interaction with European cultures. It was adapted well to the teachings of [[Christianity in American Samoa|Christianity]]. The Samoan language is still in use in daily exchange; however, English is widely used and also the legal official language. Besides [[Samoan language]] classes and cultural courses, all instructions in public schools are in English. The basic unit of the American Samoa culture is the ''{{okina}}aiga'' (family). It consists of both immediate and extended family.

The ''matai'', or chief, is the head of the {{okina}}aiga. The chief is the custodian of all {{okina}}aiga properties. A village (nu{{okina}}u) is made up of several or many {{okina}}aiga with a common or shared interest. Each {{okina}}aiga is represented by their chief in the village councils.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|5–6}}

===Music===
{{Excerpt|Music of American Samoa}}

===Sports===
{{See also|Sports in American Samoa}}
[[File:South_pacific_games.jpg|thumb|left|American Samoa at the [[South Pacific Games]]]]
The main sports played in American Samoa are [[American football|football]], [[Samoan cricket]], [[canoeing]], [[yachting]], [[basketball]], [[golf]], [[netball]], [[tennis]], [[Rugby football|rugby]], [[table tennis]], [[boxing]], [[bowling]], [[volleyball]], and fishing tournaments. Some current and former sports clubs are the American Samoa Tennis Association, Rugby Unions, Lavalava Golf Club, and Gamefish Association. Leagues improved and organized better after the completion of the [[Veterans Memorial Stadium (Pago Pago)|Veterans Memorial Stadium]].<ref name="Sunia-2009">Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). ''A History of American Samoa''. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. {{ISBN|978-1573062992}}.</ref>{{rp|338}}

The [[1997 South Pacific Mini Games]] were the biggest international event ever to take place in American Samoa. The bid to host the games for the 23 participating countries was approved in May 1993. In January 1994, Governor [[A. P. Lutali]] appointed Fuga Teleso to head the task force charged with game preparations, including the construction of a stadium. Groundbreaking was in January 1994. The Governor later handed the task force on preparations to Lieutenant Governor Togiola. The task force merged with the American Samoa National Olympics Committee to better coordinate and facilitate preparations. V.P. Willis Construction built the 1,500-seat stands. The [[American Samoa Department of Public Safety|Department of Public Safety]] trained its force for special games security. The opening ceremony became extravagant where the [[U.S. Army Reserve]] carried the torch from [[Tula, American Samoa|Tula]] and [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|357–358}}

About 2,000 athletes, coaches, and sponsors attended from 19 countries and competed in 11 sports at the game. American Samoa fielded a team of 248 athletes. The team won 48 medals, 22 of which were gold medals, and American Samoa came in fourth overall in the ratings. [[American Samoa Rotary Club]] honored Fuga Tolani Teleso with the community's top award, the Paul Harris Fellowship Award, for his work on constructing the [[Veterans Memorial Stadium (Pago Pago)|Veterans Memorial Stadium]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|359}}

In 1982, yachters competed in the Hobie World Championship held in [[Tahiti]]. American Samoa beat the [[Apia]] team by half a point and won the Samoa Cup. In 1983, a team coached by Adele Satele-Galeai brought home the winning trophy from the Regional women's volleyball tournament in [[Hawaii]]. Also in 1983, the [[South Pacific Games]] were held in Apia. American Samoa received 13 medals: four gold, four silver, and five bronze. That same year, three junior golfers made the cut out of 1,000 players to attend the World Junior Golf Tournament in [[San Diego, California]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|338}}

In 1987, American Samoa became the 167th member of the [[International Olympic Committee]]. The first South Pacific Junior Tennis Tournament was held at the [[Tafuna, American Samoa|Tafuna]] courts in January 1990.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|339}}

[[Tony Solaita]] was the first American Samoan to play in [[Major League Baseball]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|339}} There are thirty players from American Samoa in the National Football League (NFL) as of 2015 and over 200 play Div. I [[NCAA Football]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/leighsteinberg/2015/05/21/how-can-tiny-samoa-dominate-the-nfl/|title=How Can Tiny Samoa Dominate The NFL?|first=Leigh|last=Steinberg|website=Forbes|access-date=July 19, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190719190547/https://www.forbes.com/sites/leighsteinberg/2015/05/21/how-can-tiny-samoa-dominate-the-nfl/|archive-date=July 19, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Some American Samoan NFL football players are [[Shalom Luani]], [[Junior Siavii]], [[Jonathan Fanene]], [[Mosi Tatupu]], [[Shaun Nua]], [[Isaac Sopoaga]], and [[Daniel Te{{okina}}o-Nesheim]].

After [[World War II]], a Welfare and Recreation Department was created. This department arranged bowling, softball, badminton tournaments, basketball, and volleyball at various Tutuila locations. Boxing matches and dancing also became popular activities.<ref>Kennedy, Joseph (2009). ''The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony''. University of Hawaii Press. p. 219. {{ISBN|978-0980033151}}.</ref>

====American football====
{{Main|American football in American Samoa}}
[[File:High school football tutuila samoa.png|thumb|right|High school football game]]
About 30 ethnic Samoans, all from American Samoa, currently play in the [[National Football League]], and more than 200 play [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] [[college football]].<ref name="Football Island">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-6875877.html |title=American Samoa: Football Island |first=Scott |last=Pelley |work=[[60 Minutes]] |date=January 17, 2010 |access-date=January 20, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511063840/http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-18560_162-6875877.html |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In recent years, it has been estimated that a Samoan male (either an American Samoan, or a Samoan living in the mainland United States) is anywhere from 40<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/gen/s/2002/0527/1387626.html |title=The Walt Disney Internet Group (WDIG) – The Dominican Republic of the NFL |work=ESPN |access-date=July 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100514042749/http://espn.go.com/gen/s/2002/0527/1387626.html |archive-date=May 14, 2010 |url-status=live }}</ref> to 56 times<ref name="Football Island"/> more likely to play in the NFL than a non-Samoan American, giving American Samoa the nickname "Football Islands".<ref>[https://www.factretriever.com/american-samoa-facts 42 Fun Facts About American Samoa], Fact Retriever. Retrieved November 24, 2017. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033720/https://www.factretriever.com/american-samoa-facts |date=December 1, 2017 }}</ref> Samoans are the most disproportionately overrepresented ethnic group in the National Football League.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samoanews.com/linking-samoans/roots-samoans-rise-football-greatness|title=The roots of Samoans' rise to football greatness|date=August 11, 2018|website=www.samoanews.com|access-date=September 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815073505/http://www.samoanews.com/linking-samoans/roots-samoans-rise-football-greatness|archive-date=August 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-samoans-are-so-overrepresented-nfl-180969935/|title=The Roots of Samoans' Rise to Football Greatness|website=Smithsonian|access-date=September 8, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180809015405/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-samoans-are-so-overrepresented-nfl-180969935/|archive-date=August 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

Six-time [[All-Pro]] [[Junior Seau]] was one of the most famous Americans of Samoan heritage ever to play in the NFL, having been elected to the [[NFL 1990s All-Decade Team]] and [[Pro Football Hall of Fame]]. [[Pittsburgh Steelers]] safety [[Troy Polamalu]], though born and raised in the mainland United States, is another famous American of Samoan heritage to have played in the NFL, not having his hair cut since 2000 (and only because a [[USC Trojans football|USC]] coach told him he had to) and wearing it down during games in honor of his heritage. The football culture was featured on ''[[60 Minutes]]'' on January 17, 2010.

At the [[2016 Republican National Convention]], American Samoa's delegation said American Samoa is "the greatest exporter of NFL players".<ref>"[http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/07/19/all_the_roll_call_brags_by_state_delegations_at_the_rnc_ranked.html Which State Did the Best Job Bragging at the RNC? Slate's Definitive Ranking]", Slate.com. July 19, 2016. Retrieved 2017-07-21. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722062304/http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/07/19/all_the_roll_call_brags_by_state_delegations_at_the_rnc_ranked.html |date=July 22, 2017 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309060/american-samoa-briefly-in-convention-lights|title=American Samoa briefly in Convention lights|date=July 20, 2016|website=[[RNZ]] |access-date=August 13, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813165826/https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/309060/american-samoa-briefly-in-convention-lights|archive-date=August 13, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Association football====
The [[American Samoa national football team]] is one of the newest teams in the world and is also noted for being the world's weakest. They lost to [[Australia]] [[Australia 31–0 American Samoa|31–0]] in a [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifying match on April 11, 2001, but on November 22, 2011, they finally won their first ever game, beating [[Tonga]] 2–1 in a [[FIFA World Cup]] qualifier.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15867180 |title=American Samoa football team get first ever win |publisher=BBC |date=November 24, 2011 |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120103125840/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15867180 |archive-date=January 3, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> The appearance of American Samoa's [[Jaiyah Saelua]] in the contest "apparently became the first transgender player to compete on a World Cup stage".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/sports/soccer/jonny-saelua-transgender-player-helps-american-samoa-to-first-international-soccer-win.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jonny&st=cse |work=The New York Times |first=James |last=Montague |title=Transgender Player Helps American Samoa to First International Soccer Win |date=November 25, 2011 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170525064944/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/sports/soccer/jonny-saelua-transgender-player-helps-american-samoa-to-first-international-soccer-win.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=jonny&st=cse |archive-date=May 25, 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>
The American Samoan national team features in the highly rated 2014 British film [[Next Goal Wins (2014 film)|''Next Goal Wins'']]. The film documents the team's [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification – OFC first round|2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying]] campaign, in which they achieved their first-ever international win. Saelua and [[Nicky Salapu]], the man famous for being the [[Goalkeeper (association football)|goalkeeper]] during the team's 31–0 loss to Australia in 2001, feature prominently in the film.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Geoghegen |first1=Kev |title=Next Goal Wins for 'world's worst football team' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27245733 |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=BBC News |date=May 6, 2014 |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306042805/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27245733 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The Remarkable Story of American Samoa |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00m8wdf |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=BBC News |date=December 24, 2011 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203105957/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00m8wdf |url-status=live }}</ref> A [[Next Goal Wins (2023 film)|feature film adaptation]] of the documentary was released in 2023 and was directed by [[Taika Waititi]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Michael Fassbender to Star in Taika Waititi's 'Next Goal Wins' |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/michael-fassbender-taika-waititi-next-goal-wins-1203335482/ |website=Variety |access-date=April 16, 2020 |date=September 13, 2019 |archive-date=July 26, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726063645/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/michael-fassbender-taika-waititi-next-goal-wins-1203335482/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=April 12, 2023 |title=Taika Waititi's ''Next Goal Wins'' Kicks Box Office Release to November 2023 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/taika-waititis-next-goal-wins-pushes-box-office-release-1235372281/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412173130/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/taika-waititis-next-goal-wins-pushes-box-office-release-1235372281/ |archive-date=April 12, 2023 |access-date=April 12, 2023 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref>

====Rugby league====
The [[American Samoa national rugby league team]] represents the country in international [[rugby league]]. The team competed in the 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2004 [[Rugby League Pacific Cup|Pacific Cup]] competitions. The team has also competed in the 2003 and 2004 [[Rugby League World Sevens|World Sevens]] qualifiers in the 2005 World Sevens. America Samoa's first match in the international Rugby League was in the 1988 [[Rugby League Pacific Cup|Pacific Cup]] against [[Tonga national rugby league team|Tonga]], [[Tonga national rugby league team|Tonga]] won the match 38–14 which is still the biggest loss by an American Samoan side. American Samoa's biggest win was in 2004 against [[New Caledonia national rugby league team|New Caledonia]] with a final score of 62–6.

American Samoa gets broadcasts of the [[National Rugby League]] in Australia on [[Free-to-air|free-to-air television]].<ref name="rugbyleagueplanet1">{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/RLP/Nations/AmericanSamoa.htm |title=American Samoa |publisher=Rugby League Planet |date=November 24, 2011 |access-date=December 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216121355/http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/RLP/Nations/AmericanSamoa.htm |archive-date=December 16, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

There is also a new movement that aims to set up a four-team domestic competition in American Samoa.<ref name="rugbyleagueplanet1"/>

====Rugby union====
[[Rugby union in American Samoa|Rugby union]] is a growing sport in American Samoa. The first rugby game recorded in American Samoa was in 1924, since then the development of the game had been heavily overshadowed by the influence of [[American Football]] during the 1970s. The highest governing body of rugby in American Samoa is the [[American Samoa Rugby Union]] which was founded in 1990 and was not affiliated with the [[World Rugby|IRB]] until 2012. Internationally, two American Samoans have played for the [[New Zealand]] national rugby union team, known as the [[All Blacks]]. [[Frank Solomon]] (born in [[Pago Pago]]) became the first American national of Samoan descent to play for a New Zealand team. Considered a pacific pioneer in New Zealand rugby,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.oceaniarugby.com/041108_island_all_blacks.html/ref/582 |title=The first Island men to play for the All Blacks |publisher=Oceania Rugby |date=November 4, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812205830/http://www.oceaniarugby.com/041108_island_all_blacks.html/ref/582 |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}</ref> Solomon scored a try against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] in the inaugural [[Bledisloe Cup]] match in 1932, which New Zealand won 21–13.

The second American Samoan to play for the All Blacks is [[Jerome Kaino]] (born in [[Faga{{okina}}alu]]). A native of [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]], Kaino moved to New Zealand when he was four. In 2004, at age 21, he played his first match for New Zealand against the [[Barbarian F.C.|Barbarians]] where he scored his first try, contributing to New Zealand's 47–19 victory that resulted in him becoming a man of the match.<ref name="nzhKaino">{{cite web | url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/jerome-kaino-the-enforcer/PPSU2BL5OC6CGD34VYHL4SJYOI/ | work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] | first=Alan | last=Perrott | title=Jerome Kaino: The enforcer | date=August 11, 2011 | access-date=June 30, 2022 | archive-date=June 30, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630024608/https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/jerome-kaino-the-enforcer/PPSU2BL5OC6CGD34VYHL4SJYOI/ | url-status=live }}</ref> He also played a crucial role in the [[Rugby World Cup 2011]] playing every match in the tournament. He scored four tries in the event which led to New Zealand winning the final against [[France national rugby union team|France]] 8–7. Kaino was also a key member of the [[Rugby World Cup 2015|2015 Rugby World Cup]] squad, where he played every match including a try he scored in the quarterfinals against [[France national rugby union team|France]] which New Zealand won 62–13. He scored again in the semifinals against [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], which New Zealand won 20–18. He played in the World Cup final against [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] where New Zealand won again 34–17 to become world champions for a record three times (1987, 2011, and 2015). Kaino is one of twenty New Zealand rugby players to have won the [[Rugby World Cup]] twice, back to back in 2011 and 2015. In August 2015, the American Samoa Rugby Union Board selected Leota Toma Patu from the village of Leone as the coach for the Talavalu 15 men's team that represented American Samoa at the Ocean Cup 2015 in Papua New Guinea.

====Other sports====
* '''Boxing''': [[Maselino Masoe]], who represented American Samoa in three consecutive [[Olympic Games|Olympics]] from 1988 to 1996, was [[World Boxing Association|WBA]] [[List of WBA world champions|middleweight champion]] from 2004 to 2006.
* '''Professional wrestling''': Several American Samoan athletes have been very visible in [[professional wrestling]]. The [[Anoa{{okina}}i family]] in particular has had many of its members employed by [[WWE]].
* '''Sumo wrestling''': Some Samoan [[Sumo]] wrestlers, most famously [[Musashimaru]] and [[Konishiki]], have reached the highest ranks of ''[[Makuuchi#Ōzeki|ōzeki]]'' and ''[[Yokozuna (sumo)|yokozuna]]''.
* '''Track and field''': [[Hammer throw]]er [[Lisa Misipeka]] attracted international attention by winning a bronze medal in the [[1999 World Championships in Athletics]].

==Recreation==
[[File:Pola_Islands_Tutuila_NPS.jpg|thumb|right|[[Pola Island]]]]
[[File:Aunu'u Island National National Landmark.jpg|thumb|left|Aunu{{okina}}u Island]]

A team from the [[Bureau of Outdoor Recreation]] conducted a parks survey on American Samoa in the 1960s. Their team recommended sites at [[Cape Taputapu]], [[Le{{okina}}ala Shoreline|Le{{okina}}ala]] at [[Vailoatai, American Samoa|Vailoatai]], [[A{{okina}}oloau]] (the plateau), Matautuloa Point, [[Nu{{okina}}uuli]], [[Matafao Peak]], [[Pago Pago]], [[Vai{{okina}}ava Strait]], Anasosopo, [[{{okina}}Aoa]], Cape Matautuloa, and [[Aunu{{okina}}u|Aunu{{okina}}u Island]]. After an initial objection, Secretary Le{{okina}}iato gave his support and was appointed Chairman of the Territorial Parks and Recreation Committee. The first field meeting for a parkland acquisition was held between Judge Morrow on behalf of the government and the village council of [[Vatia, American Samoa|Vatia]] to make the [[Pola Island]] area a public park. The dredge ''Palolo'' was hired from [[Upolu]] in January 1966 in order to dredge sand for [[Utulei|Utulei Beach]]. A specialist in beach developments, Ala Varone of the Army, directed the project. The centerpiece of the park was to be at the head of [[Pago Pago Harbor]], where it proposed a 13-acre site created by the dredge. The park would have facilities for sports and recreation as well as facilities for boats and the growing number of Asian immigrants arriving from Korea, Japan, and China.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|285}}

The Department of Parks and Recreation was created by law in 1980 and the Parks Commission was also established.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|315}} In 1981, Governor [[Peter Tali Coleman]] appointed Fuga Tolani Teleso as Director of Parks and Recreation. On May 25, 1984, a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the Onesosopo reclamation to initiate work on the first park in the [[Eastern District, American Samoa|Eastern District]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|332}}

At the urging of Paul Cox, High Chief Nafanua of [[Falealupo]], and the Bat Preservers Association, Congressman [[Fofō Iosefa Fiti Sunia]] introduced a bill in 1984 which would enter American Samoa into the Federal Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act. The purpose of the bill was to protect the ancient [[paleotropical]] rainforests and the [[Flying fox]] [[megabat]]. The signing marked the beginning of American Samoa's entry into the U.S. [[National Park System]]. In July 1987, the National Park Service began establishing a federal park, the [[National Park of American Samoa]]. An initial appropriation of $400,000 was made in 1989. It contains one of the world's most remarkable rainforest and coastal reef ecologies and spreads across three islands. One of the most popular sites on [[Tutuila|Tutuila Island]] include Pola Rock, a rise of sheer rock formations that protrudes over 400{{spaces}}feet (120{{spaces}}m) above the ocean's surface. It is located off the shores of [[Vatia, American Samoa|Vatia]].<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|332}} On September 19, 1991, Governor [[Peter Tali Coleman]] and [[Department of the Interior]] secretary [[Manuel Lujan]] signed leases formalizing the establishment of the fiftieth U.S. National Park.<ref name="Sunia-2009"/>{{rp|335}}

[[File:American Samoa National Park sign for natural landmarks.jpg|thumb|left|National Natural Landmarks]]
The ASG Parks and Recreation oversees the maintenance of all public parks, including the [[Amanave]] Mini Park, Lions Park in [[Tafuna, American Samoa|Tafuna]], Onesosopo Park in [[Aua, American Samoa|Aua]], Malaloa Mini Park, [[Faga{{okina}}alu]] Park, [[Tia Seu Lupe]] historical site at [[Tafuna, American Samoa|Fatuoaiga]], [[Pago Pago Park]], Pago Pago Tennis Courts, the Little League Softball Field, Tony Sola{{okina}}ita Baseball Field, Solo Ridge at the Utulei Tramway, Utulei Beach Park and Su{{okina}}igaulaoleatuvasa in [[Utulei, American Samoa|Utulei]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.samoanews.com/park-usage-numbers-increase-despite-major-problems-vandalism-and-limited-facilities|title=Park usage numbers increase despite major problems with vandalism and limited facilities|date=February 25, 2013|website=www.samoanews.com|access-date=July 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190723074213/http://www.samoanews.com/park-usage-numbers-increase-despite-major-problems-vandalism-and-limited-facilities|archive-date=July 23, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Matafao_Peak_National_Natural_Landmark.jpg|thumb|right|[[Matafao Peak]] National Natural Landmark]]
American Samoa has seven areas designated as National Natural Landmarks on Tutuila Island. This program is administrated by the U.S. National Park Service and the areas contain unique ecological or geological features. Except [[Vai{{okina}}ava Strait]], none of the areas are within the National Park of American Samoa.<ref name="Goldin-2002">Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002).'' Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas''. Bess Press. {{ISBN|9781573061117}}.</ref>{{rp|281}} American Samoa's seven [[National Natural Landmark]]s (NNL) were designated in 1972:
* [[Cape Taputapu]]
* [[Fogama{{okina}}a Crater]]
* [[Matafao Peak]]
* [[Le{{okina}}ala Shoreline]]
* [[Rainmaker Mountain]]
* [[Vai{{okina}}ava Strait]]
* [[Aunu{{okina}}u|Aunu{{okina}}u Island]]

==Wildlife==
Notable terrestrial species include the [[Candoia bibroni|Pacific tree boa]] and the [[Samoa flying fox]], which has a three-foot wingspread.<ref>Butcher, Russell D. and Lynn P. Whitaker (1999). ''National Parks and Conservation Association Guide to National Parks: Pacific Region. Globe Pequot Press''. p. 82. {{ISBN|978-0762705733}}.</ref> Two snake species can be found in American Samoa: The [[Indotyphlops braminus|Brahminy blind snake]] is found on Tutuila, while the Pacific tree boa occurs on Ta{{okina}}ū. The islands are home to five species of geckos: [[Pacific slender-toed gecko]], [[Oceanic gecko]], [[Mourning gecko]], [[Stump-toed gecko]], and [[House gecko]].<ref name=nathist>[https://www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/nature/upload/NatHistGuideAS09.pdf Natural History Guide to American Samoa], National Park Service, 2009. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170224140326/https://www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/nature/upload/NatHistGuideAS09.pdf |title=Natural History Guide to American Samoa, 3rd Edition|date=February 24, 2017 }}</ref><ref name="Goldin-2002"/>{{rp|253}}

Turtles include the threatened [[Green sea turtle]] and the endangered [[Hawksbill sea turtle]]. Hawksbill sea turtles tend to nest on Tutuila beaches, while the Green sea turtle is most common on [[Rose Atoll]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ecoadapt.org/data/documents/AmericanSamoa_VASummary_SeaTurtles.pdf |title=American Samoa Sea Turtles |publisher=EcoAdapt |access-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807174757/http://ecoadapt.org/data/documents/AmericanSamoa_VASummary_SeaTurtles.pdf |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Tutuila has the highest number of nesting turtles, consisting of around fifty nesting females per year.<ref>[https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/5094344.pdf Status of Sea Turtles in American Samoa in 1991], Natasha Tuato{{okina}}o-Bartley, Thomas E. Morrell, and Peter Craig, American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources, 1993, p. 218. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203002919/https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/5094344.pdf | date=December 3, 2017 }}</ref>

American Samoa is home to one species of amphibian: the [[Cane toad]]. Biologists estimate that there are over two million toads on Tutuila.<ref name="Goldin-2002"/>{{rp|252}}

915 nearshore fish species have been recorded in American Samoa, compared to only 460 nearshore fish species in [[Hawaii]].<ref name="Goldin-2002"/>{{rp|20}} With over 950 species of native fish and 250 coral species, American Samoa has the greatest [[marine biodiversity]] in the United States.<ref>Nichols, Wallace J. and Brad Nahill (2014). ''A Worldwide Travel Guide To Sea Turtles''. Texas A&M University Press. {{ISBN|978-1623491741}}.</ref> The [[National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa]] is the largest marine sanctuary in the U.S. It is home to over 150 species of coral, including some of the largest and oldest corals of their genius in the world.<ref>Weaver, Sigourney (2020). ''America's Marine Sanctuaries: A Photographic Exploration''. Smithsonian. Page 202. ISBN 9781588346667.</ref>

===Fruit bats===
[[File:Pteropus_samoensis2-2-2.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Samoa flying fox]] is only found in Fiji and the Samoan Islands.]]
[[Megabat]]s are the only native mammal in American Samoa. The islands are home to two species of fruit bats: [[Insular flying fox|Pacific flying fox]] and [[Samoa flying fox]]. The [[Sheath-tailed bat]] is another species found here, which is a smaller insect-eating bat. In 1992, the American Samoa Government banned the hunting of fruit bats to help their populations recover.<ref>Haberle, Simon and Janelle Stevenson (2010). ''Altered Ecologies: Fire, Climate and Human Influence on Terrestrial Landscapes''. ANU E Press. p. 102. {{ISBN|978-1921666810}}.</ref> The Samoa flying fox is only found in [[Fiji]] and the Samoan Islands.<ref name=nathist/><ref name="Goldin-2002"/>{{rp|200}}

From 1995 to 2000, the population of Samoa flying fox remained stable at about 900 animals on Tutuila, and 100 in the [[Manu{{okina}}a Islands]].<ref>Fleming, Theodore H. and Paul A. Racey (2010). ''Island Bats: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation''. University of Chicago Press. p. 432. {{ISBN|978-0226253312}}.</ref> As of the year 2000, scientists from the American Samoa Department of Marine and Wildlife Resource estimated that there are fewer than 5,500 Pacific flying foxes in American Samoa, and an estimated 900 or fewer Samoa flying foxes.<ref name="Goldin-2002"/>{{rp|199}} The best and biggest known [[Roosting|roost]] on Tutuila Island for the Sheath-tailed bat is in the Anape{{okina}}ape Cove near [[Afono, American Samoa|Āfono]].<ref>[https://www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/management/upload/npsagmpeis1997textop.pdf National Park of American Samoa, General Management Plan/Environmental Impact Statement], National Park Service, 1997, pp. 129, 131. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170228084447/https://www.nps.gov/npsa/learn/management/upload/npsagmpeis1997textop.pdf |date=February 28, 2017 }}</ref>

[[Amalau Valley]] on Tutuila's north coast offers great roadside views of many bird species and both species of fruit bat.<ref name="Goldin-2002"/>{{rp|274}} The valley has been called a prime bird- and bat-watching area.<ref>Stanley, David (2004). ''Moon Handbooks South Pacific''. Moon Travel Guides. p. 483. {{ISBN|978-1566914116}}.</ref><ref>Stanley, David (1996). ''South Pacific Handbook''. David Stanley. p. 417. {{ISBN|978-1566910408}}.</ref><ref>Stanley, David (1999). ''Moon Handbooks Tonga-Samoa''. Moon Travel Guides. p. 180. {{ISBN|978-1566911740}}.</ref>

===Avifauna===
[[File:Vini_australis_-London_Zoo,_England-8a.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Blue-crowned lorikeet]] is the only parrot found in American Samoa.]]
Sixteen of the Samoan Islands' 34 bird species are found nowhere else on Earth. This includes the critically endangered [[tooth-billed pigeon]].<ref>Stanley, David (1982). ''South Pacific Handbook''. David Stanley. p. 155. {{ISBN|978-0960332236}}.</ref> Four species of birds are only found in the Manu{{okina}}a Islands and not on Tutuila. These include American Samoa's only parrot, the [[blue-crowned Lory]]. Other special birds to Manu{{okina}}a are the [[lesser shrikebill]] and the [[friendly ground-dove]]. The [[spotless crake]] has only been observed on Ta{{okina}}ū Island.<ref name=nathist/>

There are more species of birds than all species of reptiles, mammals and amphibians combined. Native land birds include two honeyeaters: [[cardinal honeyeater]] and [[wattled honeyeater]]. Cardinal honeyeaters only occur on Tutuila Island. The only endemic land bird to American Samoa is the [[Samoan starling]]. Four pigeons are native to American Samoa: [[Pacific imperial pigeon]], [[many-colored fruit dove]], [[white-capped fruit dove]], and [[shy ground dove]]. The local government banned all pigeon hunting in 1992.<ref>Haberle, Simon and Janelle Stevenson (2010). ''Altered Ecologies: Fire, Climate and Human Influence on Terrestrial Landscapes''. ANU E Press. pp. 102–103. {{ISBN|978-1921666810}}.</ref>

The many-colored fruit dove is one of the rarest birds that nest on Tutuila. Studies in the 1980s estimated their population size at Tutuila to be only around 80 birds.<ref name=nathist/> [[Amalau Valley]] has been described as the best place in American Samoa to observe the many-colored fruit dove.<ref name="Watling-Rinke-2001">Watling, Dick and Dieter R. Rinke (2001). ''A Guide to the Birds of Fiji and Western Polynesia, Including American Samoa, Niue, Samoa, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Wallis & Futuna''. Environmental Consultants. p. 246. {{ISBN|978-9829047014}}.</ref>

The offshore islet of [[Pola Island]] near [[Vatia, American Samoa|Vatia]] is a nesting site for many seabird species and an excellent area to observe seabirds.<ref>Muse, Corey and Shirley (1982). ''The Birds of Birdlore of Samoa''. Pioneer Press. p. 15. {{ISBN|978-0936546056}}.</ref><ref name="Watling-Rinke-2001"/> The Pola region of Vatia and [[Rose Atoll]] are the only places in American Samoa where there are breeding colonies of [[red-footed boobies]].<ref>Fai{{okina}}ivae, Alex Godinet (2018). ''Ole Manuō o Tala Tu{{okina}}u Ma Fisaga o Tala Ave''. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. p. 59. {{ISBN|978-1546229070}}.</ref>

Birds that depend on freshwater habitat include the [[Pacific reef heron]] and [[Pacific black duck]], the Samoan Islands' only species of duck. The largest wetland areas are the pala lagoons in [[Nuʻuuli, American Samoa|Nu{{okina}}uuli]] and [[Leone, American Samoa|Leone]] as well as Pala Lake on [[Aunu{{okina}}u]] Island.<ref name=nathist/>

==See also==
{{portal|Oceania|<!--Polynesia-->|United States}}
* [[Index of American Samoa-related articles]]
* [[List of lakes in American Samoa]]
* [[List of National Natural Landmarks in American Samoa]]
* [[List of people from American Samoa]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in American Samoa]]
* [[Outline of American Samoa]]
* [[Polynesia]]
<!-- [[List of people from American Samoa]] --><!-- [[List of places in American Samoa]] -->

==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{See also|Bibliography of American Samoa}}
* Ellison, Joseph (1938). ''Opening and Penetration of Foreign Influence in Samoa to 1880''. Corvallis: Oregon State College.
* Sunia, Fofo (1988). ''The Story of the Legislature of American Samoa''. Pago Pago: American Samoa Legislature.
* Meti, Lauofo (2002). ''Samoa: The Making of the Constitution''. Apia: Government of Samoa.

==External links==
{{Sister project links|voy=American Samoa|d=Q16641|v=no|s=Category:American Samoa|b=no|q=no|n=Category:American Samoa|c=Category:American Samoa|wikt=American Samoa}}
* [http://www.americansamoa.gov/ AmericanSamoa.gov] – official government website
* [http://samoanbios.com/ Samoan Bios] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190522033356/http://samoanbios.com/ |date=May 22, 2019 }}
* {{Wikiatlas|American Samoa}}
* [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/samoa/ NOAA's National Weather Service – American Samoa]

===Country data===
* [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/american-samoa/ American Samoa]. ''[[The World Factbook]]''. [[Central Intelligence Agency]].
* [http://www.thearda.com/internationalData/countries/Country_5_1.asp American Samoa], national profile from the [[Association of Religion Data Archives]].

{{clear}}
{{American Samoa|state=expanded}}
{{Countries and territories of Oceania}}
{{Polynesia}}
{{United States political divisions}}
{{Territories of the United States}}
{{USCensus Geography}}
{{Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|14.3|S|170.7|W|region:AS_type:isle|display=title}}

[[Category:American Samoa| ]]
[[Category:Dependent territories in Polynesia]]
[[Category:Dependent territories in Oceania]]
[[Category:Island countries]]
[[Category:English-speaking countries and territories]]
[[Category:Insular areas of the United States]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1899]]
[[Category:Small Island Developing States]]
[[Category:1899 establishments in Oceania]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes of the United States]]