American Samoa lies in Oceania. It is a
group of islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand.
Settled as early as 1000 B. C., Samoa was "discovered" by European
explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter
half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany
and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. This treaty gave the United
States control of all Samoan islands east of 171°W. The US
formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with
the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year. American Samoa
was under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Navy Dept. until 1951, at which
time administration was transferred to the Dept. of the Interior, which
appointed the governor. In 1978, the first popularly elected Samoan
governor was inaugurated.
There are
no first-order administrative divisions
as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two
islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains
Island*. The Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade
winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season from November to
April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature
variation.Most of the islands are mountainous, heavily wooded, and
surrounded by coral reefs.
Polynesians
account for a large majority of the population. Christian
Congregationalism and other Protestant denominations are practiced by
over half of the people; some 20% are Roman Catholic. Most Samoans are
bilingual, speaking the native Polynesian tongue and English.
Subsistence agriculture and the export of canned tuna and handicrafts
became the mainstays of the economy after the U.S. naval base at Pago
Pago closed down in 1951. There is also some light industry. Almost 90%
of its foreign trade is with the United States.
The harbour of
Pago Pago is the crater of an extinct volcano and a
spectacular cable-car ride above the harbour offers breathtaking views.
On the north coast of the island, a mountain-pass ride from Fagasa, is
the Forbidden Bay, claimed to be one of the most beautiful in the South
Pacific. A 2-day cruise around the islands usually includes an overnight
stay in a local Fale (Samoan home) on the unspoiled island of Savaii.
Food and entertainment go hand in hand at the Samoan feast, fia fia,
where suckling pig, chicken and fish, breadfruit, coconuts and mango are
served during performances of traditional dancing, organised regularly
by several establishments.
