American Samoa#Climate

File:Samoa islands 2002.gif

{{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 Polynesian network or 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 paramounts of Samoa. Oral history suggests that the Tui Manu{{okina}}a kings governed a confederacy of far-flung islands which included Tutuila,{{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}}{{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}} as well as smaller western Pacific chiefdoms and Polynesian outliers such as Uvea, 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).

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.{{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}}

The 1789 visit by Lapérouse was ended by an attack, on Tutuila island where Lapérouse's men were trying to obtain water. His second in command Capt. de Langle and several of his crew were killed. La Pérouse named the island "Massacre Island", and the bay near Aasu is still called Massacre Bay.

HMS Pandora, under the command of Admiral Edward Edwards (Royal Navy officer), visited the island in 1791 during its search for the H.M.S. Bounty mutineers. Von Kotzebue visited in 1824.

File:German, British, American warships in Apia harbour, Samoa 1899.jpg

{{Main|Samoan crisis|Samoan Civil War|Second Samoan Civil War|Tripartite Convention}}

Mission work in the Samoas had begun in late 1830 when John Williams of the London Missionary Society arrived from the Cook Islands and Tahiti.{{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 }} By the late nineteenth century, French, British, German, and American vessels routinely stopped at Samoa, as they valued Pago Pago Harbor as a refueling station for coal-fired shipping and whaling.

The United States Exploring Expedition visited the islands in 1839.{{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 }}

File:Samoa Cram Map 1896.jpg

In March 1889, an 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, a typhoon wrecked both the American and German ships. A compulsory armistice was then called because of the lack of any warships.{{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}}

File:elisala.jpg (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 in which Germany and the United States partitioned the Samoan Islands into two: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. the eastern island group became a territory of the United States (Tutuila in 1900 and officially Manu{{okina}}a in 1904){{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}} 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.Ryden, p. 571 Forerunners to the Tripartite Convention of 1899 were the Washington Conference of 1887, the Treaty of Berlin of 1889 and the Anglo-German Agreement on Samoa of 1899.

File:Benjamin_Franklin_Tilley_-_NH_67313.jpg Benjamin Franklin Tilley, the first Governor of American Samoa (1900–1901)]]

The following year, the U.S. formally annexed its portion, a smaller group of eastern islands, one of which contains the noted harbor of Pago Pago.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) After the United States Navy took possession of eastern Samoa for the United States government, the existing coaling station at Pago Pago Bay was expanded into a full 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 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.{{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 }} The territory became known as the 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.{{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 }}{{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 }} 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 authorized the governor to proclaim it as the name for the new territory.{{rp|209}}

File:Gov12.JPG served as the 12th Governor of American Samoa (1915–1919).[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).]]

In 1918, during the final stages of World War I, the 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 island in Brazil) to have proactively prevented any deaths during the pandemic through the quick response from 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 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, Western Samoa, suffered the most of all Pacific islands, with 90% of the population infected; 30% of adult men, 22% of adult women and 10% of children died.{{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}} Poyer offered assistance to help his New Zealand counterparts but was refused by the administrator of Western Samoa, 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.

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 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 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.

Swains Island, which had been included in the list of guano islands appertaining to the United States and bonded under the Guano Islands Act, was annexed in 1925 by Pub. Res. 68–75,Pub. Res. 68–75, {{USStat|43|1357}}, enacted March 4, 1925. following the dissolution of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate by the United Kingdom.

During World War II, 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 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 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.Story of the Legislature of American Samoa. 1988. 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.{{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 }}

File:Splashdown 2.png splashdowns 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 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.{{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 }} The astronaut crews of Apollo 10, 12, 13, 14, and 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.{{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 }}

While the two Samoas share language and ethnicity, their cultures have recently followed different paths, with American Samoans often emigrating to 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 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 and English as its official languages.Craig, Robert D. (2011). Historical Dictionary of Polynesia. Scarecrow Press. Page xxx. ISBN 9780810867727.

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.Thomas Benjamin (2007). Encyclopedia of Western Colonialism since 1450. Macmillan Reference USA. Page 44. ISBN 9780028658438.

American Samoans have a high rate of service in the U.S. Armed Forces.Madsen, Deborah L. (2015). The Routledge Companion to Native American Literature. Routledge. p. 44. {{ISBN|978-1317693192}}. Because of economic hardship, military service has been seen as an opportunity in American Samoa and other U.S. Overseas territories.{{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 }}

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.[https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WHD/legacy/files/ASminwagePoster.pdf Federal Minimum Wage in American Samoa by Industry]

File:Death of Langle.png 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 Boussole at Fagasā, and the other from L'Astrolabe at 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."{{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 }}{{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 }}

File:SADIE THOMPSON BUILDING.jpg 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" 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.{{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}}

On November 2, 1921, American Samoa's 13th 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

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

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.{{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 }}

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 Customs House.{{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 }}{{cite news |author= |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}} 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 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."{{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 }} Commander Edwin B. Robinson was bicycling behind Centipede Row and was wounded in the knee by a piece of 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."

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.Shaffer, Robert J. (2000). American Samoa: 100 Years Under the United States Flag. Island Heritage. {{ISBN|978-0896103399}}.{{rp|178}}{{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}} The fact that First Lady reviewed the troops led to further assurance that Tutuila Island was considered safe.Kennedy, Joseph (2009). The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony. University of Hawaii Press. p. 218. {{ISBN|978-0980033151}}. Her presence underscored that World War II had passed by American Samoa. While the Fita Fita band played, Eleanor Roosevelt inspected the guard.Ruck, Rob (2018). Tropic of Football: The Long and Perilous Journey of Samoans to the NFL. The New Press. {{ISBN|978-1620973387}}.

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}}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.{{rp|192}} The territory's only hospital was renamed the LBJ Tropical Medical Center in honor of President Johnson.{{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 }}

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, American Samoa played a pivotal role in five of the 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.{{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 }}

In November 1970, Pope Paul VI visited American Samoa in a brief but lavish greeting.{{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.{{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 }} 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 celebrations on April 17, 1980, a U.S. Navy P-3 Orion patrol plane from Patrol Squadron 50 took off with six skydivers from the U.S. Army's Hawaii-based Tropic Lightning Parachute Club. The airplane 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.Swaney, Deanna (1994). Samoa: Western & American Samoa: a Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit. Lonely Planet Publications. p. 164. {{ISBN|978-0864422255}}.

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.{{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 }}

On November 8, 2010, United States Secretary of State and former 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.{{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 }}

Mike Pence was the third sitting U.S. vice president to visit American Samoa (after Dan Quayle and Joe Biden){{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}} when he made a stopover in Pago Pago in April 2017.{{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}} He addressed 200 soldiers here during his refueling stop.{{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}} U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson visited town on June 3, 2017.{{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 }}

File:Kermadec Arc.jpg 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 magnitude earthquake struck {{convert|120|mi|km}} off the coast of American Samoa, followed by smaller aftershocks.{{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 }} It was the largest earthquake of 2009. The quake occurred on the outer rise of the Kermadec-Tonga Subduction Zone. This is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, where 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.{{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}}{{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}} 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.{{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}}

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.

{{Main|Government of American Samoa}}

American Samoa is classified in U.S. law as an unincorporated territory; the Ratification Act of 1929 vested all civil, judicial, and military powers in the President of the United States. In 1951, with {{Executive Order|10264}}, President Harry Truman delegated that authority to the Secretary of the Interior. On June 21, 1963 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.{{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}} On June 2, 1967, Interior Secretary Stewart Udall promulgated the Revised Constitution of American Samoa, which took effect on July 1, 1967.

File:Nikolao Pula with CHCC Staff 2022-04-09 Cropped.jpg, the 59th and incumbent Governor of American Samoa (2025–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 by popular vote for a four-year term.[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. The governor's office is located in Utulei. 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 vetoes, and nomination of justices.

The legislative power is vested in the American Samoa Fono, which has two chambers. The 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 Senate has 18 members, elected for four-year terms by and from the chiefs of the islands. The Fono is located in Fagatogo.

The judiciary of American Samoa is composed of the High Court of American Samoa, a District Court, and village courts.[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. The High Court and District Court are located in Fagatogo, near the Fono. The High Court is led by a Chief Justice and an Associate Justice, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior.[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. Other judges are appointed by the governor upon the recommendation of the Chief Justice and confirmed by the Senate.[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.[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.

{{Main|Politics of American Samoa}}

{{See also|Elections in American Samoa|Political party strength in American Samoa}}

American Samoa is an unincorporated and 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 representative democratic dependency, whereby the Governor is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system.

Executive power is exercised by the governor. Legislative power is vested in the two chambers of the legislature. The American political parties (Republican and Democratic) exist in American Samoa, but few politicians are aligned with the parties. The judiciary is independent of the 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 is the family unit of Samoan society, which differs from the Western sense of a family{{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 }} in that it consists of an "extended family" based on the culture's communal 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 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 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.{{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=dead }}{{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=dead }}

{{Further|Tuaua v. United States}}

File:American Samoa US national not US citizen passport message.jpg

According to the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), the people born in American Samoa{{snd}}including those born on Swains Island{{snd}}are "nationals but not citizens of the United States at birth".{{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 }}{{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 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=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").{{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}} 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.{{USC|8|1401}} ("Nationals and citizens of United States at birth"). 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.{{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=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}} 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.{{cite news |author= |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}}{{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}} 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. 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.

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 does not extend birthright citizenship to United States nationals born in unincorporated territories.{{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}}[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. 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.{{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 }}

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",{{cite court |litigants=Fitisemanu v. US |vol=426 |reporter= F. Supp. 3d |opinion=1155 |court=D. Utah |date=December 12, 2019}} but the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit reversed the district court's judgment and found the statute constitutional.[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). On July 20, 2021, the Legislature of American Samoa unanimously passed a resolution in support of the 10th Circuit Court's decision to reverse.{{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}}

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 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 non-voting delegate to the United States House of Representatives.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}}. Since the delegate's office was created in 1978, three people have held the seat: Democrat Fofō Iosefa Fiti Sunia (1981–1988); Democrat Eni Faleomavaega (1989–2015); and Republican Aumua Amata Radewagen (2015–){{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|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}} American Samoans also participate in partisan presidential primaries, as well as send delegates to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.[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.

Unique among U.S. territories, American Samoa has its own immigration law, separate from the 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.[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. However, once there, U.S. nationals may reside indefinitely and cannot be deported.[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.}} The American Samoan government, via its Immigration Office, controls the migration of foreign nationals to the islands.[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 }} Special application forms exist for migration to American Samoa based on family or employment sponsorship.[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.

Unlike all other permanently inhabited U.S. jurisdictions (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.{{uscsub|8|1101|a|36}}; {{uscsub|8|1101|a|38}}. 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.[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.[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. In addition, foreign nationals who do have 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.[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.

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).[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.

Under American Samoan law, land ownership is subject to racial restrictions.{{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}} 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, 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.{{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}}{{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}}

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.{{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}} 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.{{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}}{{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 }}

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.{{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}}

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."[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.

{{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}}

{{Image label|x=0.580|y=0.055|scale=700|text=Ofu}}

{{Image label|x=0.686|y=0.049|scale=700|text=Olosega}}

{{Image label|x=0.859|y=0.176|scale=700|text=Ta{{okina}}ū}}

{{Image label|x=0.810|y=0.109|scale=700|text=Faleasao}}

{{Image label|x=0.913|y=0.140|scale=700|text=Fitiuta}}

{{Image label|x=0.353|y=0.153|scale=700|text=Vaifanua}}

{{Image label|x=0.353|y=0.207|scale=700|text=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}}oputasi}}

{{Image label|x=0.229|y=0.266|scale=700|text=Itu{{okina}}au}}

{{Image label|x=0.176|y=0.310|scale=700|text=Tualauta}}

{{Image label|x=0.130|y=0.267|scale=700|text=Leasina}}

{{Image label|x=0.054|y=0.293|scale=700|text=Lealataua}}

{{Image label|x=0.091|y=0.329|scale=700|text=Fofo}}

{{Image label|x=0.103|y=0.375|scale=700|text=Tualatai}}

{{Image label|x=0.050|y=0.222|scale=700|text=Western District}}

{{Image label|x=0.294|y=0.280|scale=700|text=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}}

{{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 = Islands, atolls, districts and counties of American Samoa{{efn|An American Samoan law of 1962 defined 14 counties.[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. The constitution of 1967, signed by delegates from these 14 counties, established 15 counties from then on, separating Fofo from Lealataua. The election law was later revised accordingly.[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.[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.[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. However, the U.S. Census Bureau continues to list 14 counties, treating Fofo as part of Lealataua.}}[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.

}}

{{Main|Administrative divisions of American Samoa}}

American Samoa is administratively divided into three districts{{snd}}Western, Eastern and 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 legislature, High Court and District Court are located.[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 }}[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.[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.[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. The executive office building is located in neighboring Utulei.[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.[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. 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.{{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 }}{{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=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 }}}} is one of the largest villages and is located on the central part of Tutuila island in Ma{{okina}}oputasi County.

{{clear}}

File:Aq-map.png

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}}{{snd}}slightly larger than Washington, D.C.{{snd}}consisting of five rugged, volcanic islands and two coral atolls.{{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 }}

File:Pola_island.jpg is seen jutting into the ocean.]]

The five volcanic islands are Tutuila, Aunu{{okina}}u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta{{okina}}ū. The coral atolls are Swains and Rose Atoll. Of the seven islands, Rose Atoll is the only uninhabited one; it is a Marine National Monument. American Samoa is the southernmost reach of the United States at fourteen degrees below the equator.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}}.

File:Ofu Beach American Samoa US National Park Service.jpg 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 southernmost point of the United States.[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. 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), {{cvt|1621|ft}}. Mount Pioa, nicknamed the Rainmaker, is {{cvt|1718|ft}}.{{rp|3}} American Samoa is also home to some of the world's highest sea cliffs at {{cvt|3000|ft}}.Harris, Ann G. and Esther Tuttle (2004). Geology of National Parks. Kendall Hunt. p. 603. {{ISBN|978-0787299705}}.

File:Vatia from the National Park of American Samoa.jpg)]]

The Vailulu{{okina}}u seamount, an 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.{{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 }} Growing inside the 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 public ownership, 100% private ownership and 0% with ownership listed as other or unknown.{{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}}{{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}}

American Samoa lies within two terrestrial ecoregions: Samoan tropical moist forests and Western Polynesian tropical moist forests.{{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}}

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Pago Pago Area, AS(ThreadEx).svg

American Samoa has a tropical climate all year round with two distinct seasons, the 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.

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.{{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){{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

}}{{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

}}

{{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}}

}}

{{Excerpt|Climate change in American Samoa}}

{{Main|Economy of American Samoa}}

File:Line4392_-_Flickr_-_NOAA_Photo_Library.jpg]]

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 payments, and payments to Samoans retired from the 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.{{rp|8–9}}

File:Pago Pago - Breadfruit and Taro.jpg 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 employees in American Samoa and a few active duty military personnel, except members of the 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,{{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 }} and a U.S. Army and United States Marine Corps recruiting station is in Nu{{okina}}uuli.

There are six Army Reserve units at Pele:{{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}}

• 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" at the StarKist cannery in Atu{{okina}}u]]

The overwhelming majority of public sector employees work for the American Samoa territorial government. One tuna cannery is 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 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 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.{{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}}{{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}}

From 2002 to 2007, 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%.{{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}}

{{update section|date=May 2020}}

| {{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.

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.Schyma, Rosemarie (2013). Südsee. DuMont Reiseverlag. p. 261. {{ISBN|9783770176946}}.

The 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.[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. Its GDP per capita (PPP) was $11,200 {{As of|2016|lc=y}}.

File:Deserted Beach near Tisa%27s Barefoot Bar - panoramio.jpg

The Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 has contained special provisions for American Samoa since its inception, citing its limited economy.{{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}} American Samoan wages are based on the recommendations of a Special Industry Committee meeting bi-annually.{{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 }} Originally, the act contained provisions for other territories, provisions which were phased out as those territories developed more diverse economies.{{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 }}

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 federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour in the United States.{{usc|29|201}}. United States Government Printing Office. Retrieved April 12, 2008. 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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 }} 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.{{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}}

As in other U.S. territories, the U.S. federal government imposes payroll taxes[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.[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. and the equivalent self-employment tax[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. on income from work in American Samoa, but not the federal income tax on income generated in American Samoa by its residents (except from work as U.S. government employees).[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. 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,[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. with certain modifications such as a minimum tax rate of 4%.[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.[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. A similar situation applies to corporations.{{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 }} In 1983, the use of citizenship in taxation by American Samoa (due to its incorporation of the U.S. tax code) was ruled unconstitutional.[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.

The U.S. federal government does not impose estate or 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.[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. 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.[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. 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.[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. The government of American Samoa itself does not impose estate or gift taxes.[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.

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 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,[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. or to U.S. federal estate or gift taxes on their non-U.S. property.[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.[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. U.S. citizens (or anyone) cannot acquire this status after birth.[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.[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.

American Samoa does not impose a sales tax, but it imposes a general import tax of 8%.[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 }}[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. American Samoa is an independent customs territory, whose importation rules and taxes differ from those applicable to other parts of the United States.[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.[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.

Some aspects of telecommunications in American Samoa are, like other 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 European countries.[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 }}

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".{{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|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}}

File:American Samoa Highway 001.svg

American Samoa has 150 miles (240{{spaces}}km) of highways (estimated in 2008). The maximum speed limit is 30 miles per hour.[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. Ports and harbors include Aunu{{okina}}u, Auasi, Faleasao, Ofu and Pago Pago. American Samoa has no railways. The territory has three airports, all of which have paved runways. The main airport is Pago Pago International Airport, 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.

On June 8, 1922, the first bus service on Tutuila began its operations.{{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}} The {{okina}}aiga bus system travels across the island of Tutuila.[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.[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 }}

{{clear left}}

{{Main|Demographics of American Samoa}}

As of 2022, the population of American Samoa is estimated around 45,443 people. The 2020 census counted 49,710 people, 97.5% of whom lived on the largest island, Tutuila.[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.[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. 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.[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.

American Samoa is small enough to have just one ZIP code, 96799, and uses the U.S. Postal Service (state code "AS") for mail delivery.{{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}}{{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 }}

In the 2020 census, 89.4% of the population reported at least partial Samoan ethnicity, 83.2% only Samoan, 5.8% Asian, 5.5% other Pacific island ethnicities, 4.4% mixed, and 1.1% other ethnicities.[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. The Samoan language was spoken at home by 87.9% of the population, while 6.1% spoke other Pacific island languages, 3.3% spoke English, 2.1% spoke an Asian language, and 0.5% spoke other languages; 47.2% of the population spoke English at home or "very well". In 2022, Samoan and English were designated as official languages of the territory.[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. At least some of the deaf population use Samoan Sign Language.

File:ZION_CHURCH_IN_LEONE,_AMERICAN_SAMOA.jpg in Leone]]

Major Christian denominations 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 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

CIA Factbook 2010 estimate shows the religious affiliations of American Samoa as 98.3% Christian, other 1%, unaffiliated 0.7%. World Christian Database 2010 estimate shows the religious affiliations of American Samoa as 98.3% Christian, 0.7% agnostic, 0.4% Chinese Universalist, 0.3% Buddhist and 0.3% followers of the Baháʼí Faith.{{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 }}

According to Pew Research Center, 98.3% of the total population is Christian. Among Christians, 59.5% are Protestant, 19.7% are Catholic and 19.2% are 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 denomination in the 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.{{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 }} Jehovah's Witnesses claim 210 "ministers of the word" and three congregations.{{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}}

The Catholic Church has at least 18 churches in the territory{{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 }} and 29 parishes{{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 }} under the Diocese of Samoa-Pago (Diœcesis Samoa-Pagopagensis) which was created in 1982 by Pope John Paul II through the bull Studiose quidem{{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 }} and constitutes a suffragan see of the Archdiocese of Samoa-Apia. The bishop has his see in the Cathedral of the Holy Family in Tafuna and in the Co-cathedral of St. Joseph the Worker in Fagatogo.

File:American_samoa_community_college.jpg]]

The island contains 23 primary schools. Of the ten secondary schools, five are operated by the American Samoa Department of Education;{{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 }} the other five are either administered by religious denominations or are privately owned. American Samoa Community College, founded in 1970, provides post-secondary education on the islands.

File:Leone high school.jpg]]

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.

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 drugs such as Pepto Bismol and Sominex, with television being directly blamed for the decline of village life.{{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}}

{{See also|Culture of Samoa}}

File:Jean p haydon museum.png 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. 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.{{rp|5–6}}

{{Excerpt|Music of American Samoa}}

{{See also|Sports in American Samoa}}

File:South_pacific_games.jpg]]

The main sports played in American Samoa are football, Samoan cricket, canoeing, yachting, basketball, golf, netball, tennis, 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.Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). A History of American Samoa. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. {{ISBN|978-1573062992}}.{{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 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 and Leone.{{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.{{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.{{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 courts in January 1990.{{rp|339}}

Tony Solaita was the first American Samoan to play in Major League Baseball.{{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.{{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}} 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.Kennedy, Joseph (2009). The Tropical Frontier: America's South Sea Colony. University of Hawaii Press. p. 219. {{ISBN|978-0980033151}}.

{{Main|American football in American Samoa}}

File:High school football tutuila samoa.png

About 30 ethnic Samoans, all from American Samoa, currently play in the National Football League, and more than 200 play NCAA Division I college football.{{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 }} 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{{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 }} to 56 times more likely to play in the NFL than a non-Samoan American, giving American Samoa the nickname "Football Islands".[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 }} Samoans are the most disproportionately overrepresented ethnic group in the National Football League.{{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}}{{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}}

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 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"."[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 }}{{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}}

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 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.{{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 }} The appearance of American Samoa's Jaiyah Saelua in the contest "apparently became the first transgender player to compete on a World Cup stage".{{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 }}

The American Samoan national team features in the highly rated 2014 British film Next Goal Wins. The film documents the team's 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 during the team's 31–0 loss to Australia in 2001, feature prominently in the film.{{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 }}{{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 }} A feature film adaptation of the documentary was released in 2023 and was directed by Taika Waititi.{{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 }}{{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}}

The American Samoa national rugby league team represents the country in international rugby league. The team competed in the 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2004 Pacific Cup competitions. The team has also competed in the 2003 and 2004 World Sevens qualifiers in the 2005 World Sevens. America Samoa's first match in the international Rugby League was in the 1988 Pacific Cup against Tonga, 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 with a final score of 62–6.

American Samoa gets broadcasts of the National Rugby League in Australia on free-to-air television.{{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 }}

There is also a new movement that aims to set up a four-team domestic competition 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 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,{{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}} Solomon scored a try against 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, Kaino moved to New Zealand when he was four. In 2004, at age 21, he played his first match for New Zealand against the 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.{{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 }} 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 8–7. Kaino was also a key member of the 2015 Rugby World Cup squad, where he played every match including a try he scored in the quarterfinals against France which New Zealand won 62–13. He scored again in the semifinals against South Africa, which New Zealand won 20–18. He played in the World Cup final against 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.

• Boxing: Maselino Masoe, who represented American Samoa in three consecutive Olympics from 1988 to 1996, was WBA 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 ōzeki and yokozuna.
• Track and field: Hammer thrower Lisa Misipeka attracted international attention by winning a bronze medal in the 1999 World Championships in Athletics.

File:Pola_Islands_Tutuila_NPS.jpg]]

File:Aunu'u Island National National Landmark.jpg

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 at 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 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 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 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.{{rp|285}}

The Department of Parks and Recreation was created by law in 1980 and the Parks Commission was also established.{{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.{{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 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.{{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.{{rp|335}}

File:American Samoa National Park sign for natural landmarks.jpg

The ASG Parks and Recreation oversees the maintenance of all public parks, including the Amanave Mini Park, Lions Park in Tafuna, Onesosopo Park in Aua, Malaloa Mini Park, Faga{{okina}}alu Park, Tia Seu Lupe historical site at 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.{{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}}

File:Matafao_Peak_National_Natural_Landmark.jpg 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.Goldin, Meryl Rose (2002). Field Guide to the Samoan Archipelago: Fish, Wildlife, and Protected Areas. Bess Press. {{ISBN|9781573061117}}.{{rp|281}} American Samoa's seven National Natural Landmarks (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 Island

Notable terrestrial species include the Pacific tree boa and the Samoa flying fox, which has a three-foot wingspread.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}}. Two snake species can be found in American Samoa: The 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.[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 }}{{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.{{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 }} Tutuila has the highest number of nesting turtles, consisting of around fifty nesting females per year.[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 }}

American Samoa is home to one species of amphibian: the cane toad. Biologists estimate that there are over two million toads on Tutuila.{{rp|252}}

915 nearshore fish species have been recorded in American Samoa, compared to only 460 nearshore fish species in Hawaii.{{rp|20}} With over 950 species of native fish and 250 coral species, American Samoa has the greatest marine biodiversity in the United States.Nichols, Wallace J. and Brad Nahill (2014). A Worldwide Travel Guide To Sea Turtles. Texas A&M University Press. {{ISBN|978-1623491741}}. 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 genus in the world.Weaver, Sigourney (2020). America's Marine Sanctuaries: A Photographic Exploration. Smithsonian. Page 202. ISBN 9781588346667.

File:Pteropus_samoensis2-2-2.jpg is only found in Fiji and the Samoan Islands.]]

Megabats are the only native mammal in American Samoa. The islands are home to two species of fruit bats: 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.Haberle, Simon and Janelle Stevenson (2010). Altered Ecologies: Fire, Climate and Human Influence on Terrestrial Landscapes. ANU E Press. p. 102. {{ISBN|978-1921666810}}. The Samoa flying fox is only found in Fiji and the Samoan Islands.{{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.Fleming, Theodore H. and Paul A. Racey (2010). Island Bats: Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation. University of Chicago Press. p. 432. {{ISBN|978-0226253312}}. As of 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.{{rp|199}} The best and biggest known roost on Tutuila Island for the sheath-tailed bat is in the Anape{{okina}}ape Cove near Āfono.[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 }}

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

File:Vini_australis_-London_Zoo,_England-8a.jpg 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.Stanley, David (1982). South Pacific Handbook. David Stanley. p. 155. {{ISBN|978-0960332236}}. 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.

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.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}}.

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. Amalau Valley has been described as the best place in American Samoa to observe the many-colored fruit dove.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}}.

The offshore islet of Pola Island near Vatia is a nesting site for many seabird species and an excellent area to observe seabirds.Muse, Corey and Shirley (1982). The Birds of Birdlore of Samoa. Pioneer Press. p. 15. {{ISBN|978-0936546056}}. The Pola region of Vatia and Rose Atoll are the only places in American Samoa where there are breeding colonies of red-footed boobies.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}}.

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 Nu{{okina}}uuli and Leone as well as Pala Lake on Aunu{{okina}}u Island.

{{portal|Oceania||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

{{Notelist}}

{{Reflist}}

{{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.

{{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 }}
• [https://guides.loc.gov/american-samoa-state-guide American Samoa: Resource Guide, from the Library of Congress]
• {{Wikiatlas|American Samoa}}
• [http://www.prh.noaa.gov/samoa/ NOAA's National Weather Service – American Samoa]

• [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: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