American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, situated in the Polynesia region of the South Pacific Ocean. Its location is centered on 14°18′S 170°42′W, placing it approximately 40 miles (64 km) southeast of Samoa, east of the International Date Line and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, west of the Cook Islands, and north of Tonga. Tokelau lies about 310 miles (500 km) to the north.
Geography and Climate
The territory comprises the eastern part of the Samoan archipelago, including the inhabited volcanic islands of Tutuila, Aunuʻu, Ofu, Olosega, and Taʻū, as well as the uninhabited Rose Atoll. Swains Island, a remote coral atoll in the Tokelau volcanic island group, is also part of American Samoa. With a total land area of 77 square miles (199 km2), American Samoa is slightly larger than Washington, D.C. Including its territorial waters, the total area expands to 117,500 square miles (304,000 km2), approximating the size of New Zealand. The islands boast a tropical climate, with approximately 90% of the land covered by lush rainforests.
Population and Demographics
As of 2024, the estimated population of American Samoa is around 47,400. The majority of the population resides on Tutuila, which is home to Pago Pago, the capital and largest settlement.
History
Early History and European Contact
Polynesians have inhabited American Samoa since prehistoric times. Europeans first made contact with the islands in the 18th century, drawing missionaries, explorers, and mariners, particularly to Pago Pago's well-protected natural harbor. The origin of the name "Samoa" is believed to mean "Holy Center," derived from the Samoan words "sa" (sacred) and "moa" (center). Traditional oral literature speaks of a widespread Polynesian network or confederacy, possibly an "empire," ruled by the Tui Manuʻa dynasties. These genealogies and religious stories suggest that the Tui Manuʻa were among the most prestigious and powerful paramounts in Samoa, governing a confederacy of islands including Tutuila and smaller chiefdoms and Polynesian outliers like Uvea, Futuna, Tokelau, and Tuvalu.
The first known European sighting was in 1722 by Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen, who named them the "Baumann Islands." Louis-Antoine de Bougainville followed in 1768, calling them the "Îles des Navigateurs." In 1789, a visit by Lapérouse ended tragically on Tutuila when his men, attempting to obtain water, were attacked. Captain de Langle and scientist Robert de Lamanon, along with several crew members, were killed by Samoans.
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US Acquisition and Naval Station Tutuila
The United States formally took possession of American Samoa in the late 19th century, developing it into a major naval outpost. In 1872, Commander Richard W. Meade of the USS Narragansett negotiated a treaty to secure American interests in Samoa, leasing land for a naval base at Pago Pago. In March 1889, an Imperial German naval force's actions in Samoa led to a tense standoff with American warships in Apia harbor, which was averted by a typhoon that wrecked both American and German ships. Following the Tripartite Convention of 1899, the United States formally annexed the eastern islands of Samoa, including Pago Pago. The existing coaling station at Pago Pago Bay was expanded into United States Naval Station Tutuila, commanded by a commandant. Naval Station Tutuila, comprising Tutuila, Aunuʻu, and Manuʻa, was later officially renamed American Samoa.
20th Century
In 1918, during World War I, American Samoa, under the governance of Naval Governor John Martin Poyer, remarkably avoided the Great Influenza epidemic by implementing a strict quarantine. The neighboring territory of Western Samoa suffered greatly, with a significant percentage of its population perishing. Poyer's actions were hailed as heroic by American Samoans.
After World War I, a corresponding American Samoa Mau movement emerged, led by Samuelu Ripley, advocating for greater autonomy. Swains Island, previously included in the list of guano islands appertaining to the United States under the Guano Islands Act, was formally annexed in 1925.
The presence of US Marines stationed in Samoa significantly impacted the local culture. In 1949, a Department of Interior-sponsored attempt to incorporate American Samoa was defeated, largely due to the efforts of Samoan chiefs who sought to preserve their culture and traditional land ownership. This led to the creation of the American Samoa Fono, a territorial legislature. In 1978, the Navy-appointed governor was replaced by Peter Tali Coleman, the first locally elected governor.
Government and Politics
American Samoa is self-governing under a constitution that became effective on July 1, 1967, though Congress has not passed an Organic Act for the territory. The local government is republican in form, with separate executive, legislative, and judicial branches. While the President of the United States serves as the head of state, they do not play a direct role in the government. Legislative power is vested in the American Samoa Fono, which consists of two chambers.
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American Samoa is the only permanently inhabited territory of the United States where citizenship is not granted at birth; individuals born there are considered "non-citizen nationals" with limited rights. This is largely due to the opposition of many Samoans to birthright citizenship, as expressed by the Samoan Fono and government officials.
Culture and Traditions
American Samoa maintains a strong indigenous culture alongside American influences, such as the popularity of American football and baseball. Samoans have tended to emigrate to New Zealand, where rugby and cricket are more popular.
Significant Events
- December 11, 1784: Twelve members of Lapérouse's crew were killed in a violent attack by Samoans at Aʻasu Bay, Tutuila, which became known as "Massacre Bay."
- December 19, 1912: English writer William Somerset Maugham arrived in Pago Pago, inspiring his short story "Rain."
- November 2, 1921: American Samoa's 13th naval governor, Commander Warren Jay Terhune, died by suicide.
- August 17, 1924: Margaret Mead arrived in American Samoa to begin fieldwork for her doctoral dissertation, which resulted in her influential book "Coming of Age in Samoa."
- July 7, 1938: Noted aviator Ed Musick and his crew died on the Pan American World Airways S-42 Samoan Clipper over Pago Pago.
- December 7, 1941: American Samoa was shelled by a Japanese submarine following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- October 18, 1966: President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Lady Bird Johnson visited American Samoa.
- Late 1960s and early 1970s: American Samoa played a pivotal role in five Apollo Program missions.
- January 30, 1974: Pan Am Flight 806 crashed at Pago Pago International Airport, killing 86 people.
- April 17, 1980: A US Army airplane crashed, demolishing a wing of the Rainmaker Hotel and killing all six crew members and one civilian.
- July 22, 2010: Detective Lieutenant Lusila Brown was fatally shot outside the High Court building in Fagatogo.
- November 8, 2010: United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton made a refueling stopover at Pago Pago International Airport.
- September 28, 2009: An 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of American Samoa, triggering a tsunami.
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