Geography————
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean,
about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
Geographic coordinates: 14 20 S, 170 00 W
Map references: Oceania
Area:
total area: 199 sq km
land area: 199 sq km
comparative area: slightly larger than Washington, DC
note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Land boundaries: 0 km
Coastline: 116 km
Maritime claims: exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
International disputes: none
Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds;
annual rainfall averages 124 inches; rainy season from November to
April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature
variation
Terrain: five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited
coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m
highest point: Lata 966 m
Natural resources: pumice, pumicite
Land use:
arable land: 10%
permanent crops: 5%
meadows and pastures: 0%
forest and woodland: 75%
other: 10%
Irrigated land: NA sq km
Environment:
current issues: limited natural fresh water resources; in many areas
of the island, water supplies come from roof catchments
natural hazards: typhoons common from December to March
international agreements: NA
Geographic note: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
People———
Population: 59,566 (July 1996 est.)
Age structure: 0–14 years: NA 15–64 years: NA 65 years and over: NA
Population growth rate: 3.77% (1996 est.)
Birth rate: 35.75 births/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Death rate: 4.01 deaths/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Net migration rate: 6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1996 est.)
Sex ratio:
at birth: NA male(s)/female
under 15 years: NA male(s)/female
15–64 years: NA male(s)/female
65 years and over: NA male(s)/female
all ages: NA male(s)/female
Infant mortality rate: 18.78 deaths/1,000 live births (1996 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 72.91 years male: 71.03 years female: 74.85 years (1996 est.)
Total fertility rate: 4.24 children born/woman (1996 est.)
Nationality: noun: American Samoan(s) adjective: American Samoan
Ethnic divisions: Samoan (Polynesian) 89%, Caucasian 2%, Tongan
4%, other 5%
Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%,
Protestant denominations and other 30%
Languages: Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other
Polynesian languages), English
note: most people are bilingual
Literacy: age 15 and over can read and write (1980 est.)
total population: 97%
male: 98%
female: 97%
Government—————
Name of country:
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS
Data code: AQ
Type of government: unincorporated and unorganized territory of
the US; administered by the US Department of Interior, Office of
Territorial and International Affairs
Capital: Pago Pago
Administrative divisions: none (territory of the US)
Independence: none (territory of the US)
National holiday: Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Constitution: ratified 1966, in effect 1967
Legal system: NA
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
chief of state: President (of the US) William Jefferson CLINTON
(since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since
20 January 1993) are popularly elected by the citizens of the US
head of government: Governor A. P. LUTALI (since 3 January 1993) and
Lieutenant Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1993) were
elected for a four-year term by popular vote; election last held 3
November 1992 (next to be held NA November 1996); results - A. P.
