AMERICAN SAMOA
LOCATION
American Samoa is located in Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand.
Five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island) constitute the land in American Samoa. The land covers an area of 199 square kilometers which is slightly larger than Washington, DC.
LANGUAGE
The American Samoans have a rich indigenous language and English forms the second language and most of the islanders can speak both. Samoan is closely related to other Polynesian languages, such as Tongan and belongs to the Austronesian family of languages.
CAPITAL
Pago Pago is the capital town of American Samoa. The capital city is in reality a village area that is often mistaken to be a city (as in a capital or port city) of this south Pacific territory of the United States of America. Pago Pago has an approximate population of 15,000. The primary industries here are tourism, entertainment, food, and tuna canning. From 1878 to 1951, this was a coaling and repair station for the U.S. Navy.
CLIMATE
Located between the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn, American Samoa enjoys the characteristic barmy weather and warm breezes of the tropical maritime. The climate is are warm or hot year-round with an average year-round temperature of 80 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity.
However, regular rain showers provide respite from the heat and annual rainfall averages about 200 inches. From November to April falls the rainy season and typhoons and tropical storms are prevalent in these months. The months between May to October are relatively dry.
HISTORY
Samoans have rather unusual beliefs about their origins. They actually suppose that they came originally from Samoa! The folk tale of how Samoa came to exist has much in common with the Biblical story of genesis. However, the conventional belief is that the people who first colonized this group of Pacific islands came from the East Indies, the Malay Peninsula or the Philippines. America’s presence in Samoa was largely non-interfering till the early 1960s when an American magazine carried an articles titled 'America's Shame in the South Seas' (an exposé on the poverty of the locals). An intense modernization campaign in American Samoa was started by President Kennedy, which ran out of funds in 1967 leaving locals feeling confused and directionless.
American Samoa continues to depend on loans and grants from the US government, but the government is making efforts to consolidate the territory's future.
ECONOMY
A proud people, the Samoans have managed to hold on to their traditional Polynesian economy and 90% of the land in American Samoa is communally owned. Bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples and papayas are the chief agricultural products; dairy products and livestock are also important agricultural activities.
The backbone of the American Samoan economy is formed by tuna fishing and tuna processing. Canned tuna is also exported to countries such as Indonesia, India, Australia, Japan and New Zealand.
Both in terms of financial support as well as trade links, the country depends heavily on the US government for its economic well-being. It has been hard to expand or improve the economy here owing to its remote location, limited transportation and hurricanes.
CURRENCY
The currency of American Samoa is the US Dollar.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
Traditional Samoan society is still bound by very strict customs and, despite the younger generation’s dissatisfaction with the old values; they are very much adhered to. An official list of behavior codes for both Samoas is officially issued by the government. While visiting the country remember that you would need to avoid skimpy shorts or other revealing clothes.
THINGS TO DO
Follow one of the marked trails leading into the lush interior of the islands. At the National Park of American Samoa, the park’s visitor Centre is the Pago Plaza and the park itself is spread across three islands. If you are interested in visiting the volcanoes, guided trips are possible. Visiting a traditional Samoan settlement can be a fun adventure. Tula Village, which is situated at the far end of the eastern district of Tutuila, overlooks a coastline of white sandy beaches and reefs that should be visited during low tide when they are visible.
Take advantage of American Samoa’s many white sandy beaches offering safe swimming, with excellent facilities for diving, snorkeling and kayaking. At Alofay Bay, Carter Beach and Leone Bay one can enjoy surfing.
The Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which was established to protect the corals reefs and marine life in the area, provides you the opportunity to enjoy diving. Several companies provide dive courses and cruises to the best sites and diving equipment can be hired easily.
If you want to enjoy an overnight stay in a local Fale (Samoan home), cruise to neighboring Samoa
Marlin, yellow fin tuna, wahoo and skip jack are available for indulging in game-fishing. Hotels or tour operators can rent you fully fully-equipped fishing boats.
The legendary Samoan feast fia fia, where food and entertainment go hand in hand, is worth attending. Some of the foods served during performances of traditional dancing include suckling pig, chicken and fish, breadfruit, coconuts and mango.
THINGS TO SEE
Blunt's Point, Tutuila
During the Second World War, Tutuila was a training area for the U.S. Marines, and two huge six-inch (150mm) naval guns that have surveyed the mouth of Pago Pago Harbor since 1941, are the most tangible relics of this period.
Jean P. Haydon Museum, Fagatogo
American Samoa's museum near the Fono was a commissary of the former naval administration from 1917 until 1950, when it became the island's post office. The present collection brings the island's varied history alive with war clubs, model canoes, kava bowls, and old photos, plus explanations of tattooing and tapa-cloth making. The natural history exhibits showcase the territory's flora and fauna.
Mount Alava
Most of the land over the ridge north of Pago Pago Harbor is part of American Samoa National Park. A jeep track, from the pass on Fagasa Road just east of Pago Pago village, follows the ridge all the way to the towers on Mount Alava. It's a two-hour, three-mile hike, with magnificent views of Pago Pago Harbor and Rainmaker Mountain as your reward at the top.
National Park Visitor Center
This visitor center, at Pago Shopping Plaza west of Fagatogo, has a small collection of Samoan artifacts, seashells, and corals. Watch a short video, examine maps and photos, and ask questions of the friendly staff, if you want to know more details.
Ofu Island
Ofu in the Manu'a Group is ideal for a brief airborne visit, as the island's fine white sands and main guesthouse are right adjacent to the airport. Off this beach is a coral reef, which is part of American Samoa National Park, and the view of Olosega in the distance is picturesque. For determined hikers, there's a roundabout trail to the top of the mountain overlooking the airstrip. A day trip to Ofu is possible, but it's better to spend at least one night there.
Vatia Village
Vatia village, on the north coast, is accessible by bus three times a day via a steep road that crosses Tutuila's spine. Surrounded by jungle-clad peaks this charming village has a sunny beach, and breathtaking Pola Island, with its sheer cliffs and seabird colonies, is visible nearby. The village is encircled by the American Samoa National Park.
GETTING AROUND
Getting Around by Air
Samoa Air operates daily scheduled inter-island flights and serves Western Samoa and Tonga.
Getting Around by Water
Main port: Pago Pago (Tutuila).
From Pago Pago to the Manu’a Islands, there is a weekly ferry service. An excursion boat, run by the government, sails regularly around Tutuila, calling at the north coast villages of Afono, Vatia and Fagasa.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic in American Samoa, drives on the right. Paved roads stretch to150km (93 miles) and there are 200km (125 miles) of unpaved or secondary roads throughout the islands.
Bus: Between the airport and the Centre of Pago Pago, a local service operates. An inexpensive but unscheduled service between Fagatogo and outlying villages is operated by the Aiga bus service. These quaint buses are an experience in themselves; usually lively and decked out in stereo or video systems.
Taxi: Taxis are plentiful and the government-fixed fares are displayed in all taxis.
Car hire: cars are available for hire with the local companies imposing a minimum age of 21 for drivers.
ACCOMMODATION
Hotels
American Samoa has a wide range of motel and hotel accommodation, from international-standard hotels to simple guest houses.
Home stay Accommodation
The National Park of American Samoa runs a home stay programmed providing cheap accommodation with local families in western-style houses or Samoan beach fales (simple thatched huts).
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