American Samoa

American Samoa and its small group of islands were first settled by the Polynesians some 3,000 years ago. In 1722 they were discovered by Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch explorer. 

In 1900 it became an unorganized U.S. territory, and in fact, it's today the only U.S. territory located south of the Equator. 

While there is a strong American influence in the islands, American Samoans proudly retain their cultural heritage. 

The local economy revolves around the long-established fishing industry, U.S. government jobs, and the ever increasing tourism business. 

Samoa, a neighboring independent country, shares the same culture, and much of the same history. 

Fast Facts 

• Name: American Samoa, an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US
• Capital City: Pago Pago (26,017 pop.) 
• Population: 64,000 (2010 census)
• World Populations (all countries)
• Currency: United States dollar (USD) 
  (conversion rates)
  
   
  One dollar
• Ethnicity: Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander 91.6%, Asian 1%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%
• Language: Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2%
• Largest Cities: (by population) Pago Pago, Tāfuna, Leone, Faleniu, Aūa, Mapusagafou, Fagatogo, Vaitogi, Malaeimi, Vailoatai
• National Day: April 17
• Religion: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%

Flags

As an unorganized U.S. territory, and in fact, the only U.S. territory located south of the Equator, American Samoa's flag is symbolic of that association, as it features the red, white and blue of the U.S. Stars and Stripes, as well as an American bald eagle. 

Larger American Samoa flag

Geo Statistics

• Coastline: 72 miles (116 km)
• Land Area: 
  (land) 123 sq mi (199 sq km)
  (water) 0 sq mi (0 sq km)
  (TOTAL) 123 sq mi (199 sq km)
  To convert sq km (kilometers) to sq mi (miles) use our converter