20 Facts About American Samoa
  • 3 months ago
Situated in the South Pacific, American Samoa is a US territory comprising five main islands and two coral atolls, encompassing a total land area of 76 square miles. The capital, Pago Pago, is located on Tutuila. The population, numbering around 55,000, is predominantly immersed in Samoan culture and language. Both English and Samoan are recognized as official languages, and the US dollar serves as the currency. The tropical climate remains consistently warm, ranging from 75°F to 85°F throughout the year.
The territory's economy revolves around tuna, with major employers such as StarKist and Samoa Packing. Notably, American Samoa boasts a distinctive football culture and is the sole US territory with its own league. Recognized for its natural beauty, it is home to the National Park of American Samoa. While residents hold US nationality, they are not citizens unless born to US citizen parents. Remarkably, American Samoa is the only US territory located south of the equator and has a notable high military enlistment rate.
Fa'a Samoa, emphasizing family and community respect, is a fundamental aspect of the local culture, which has a settlement history dating back 3,000 years. The islands harbor unique species, including the Samoan flying fox. Education is well-developed, and fishing and navigation stand as vital cultural traditions. Due to its proximity to the International Date Line, American Samoa welcomes New Year's Day early. Representation in the US Congress is achieved through a non-voting delegate.
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