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| American Samoa | Introduction | Back to Top |
American Samoa, unincorporated territory of the United States, formed by a group of seven islands in the southern Pacific Ocean, comprising Tutuila, on which a US naval station is located; the Manua group, consisting of Tau, Olosega, and Ofu; Aunuu; Rose Island; and Swains Island. Privately owned Swains Island and uninhabited Rose Island are coral atolls; the other islands are mountainous and of volcanic formation. Tutuila is the largest island of the group, covering an area of about 143 sq km (55 sq mi) and with a 1990 population, including Aunuu, of 45,043. Pago Pago, on Tutuila (1990 population, 3,519), is the seat of government of American Samoa and has one of the finest harbours in the South Pacific. Area: 200 sq km (77 sq mi); in early 1990 the population was 46,773.
Official Name- American Samoa| Malaysia | Provinces | Back to Top |
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
| Malaysia | People | Back to Top |
The Samoans are a branch of the Polynesian people (see Polynesia). Their language is considered to be one of the oldest forms of Polynesian used today. Most Samoans also speak English. The majority of Samoans are Christians; though some of the practices of their traditional, animistic religions may still be followed, these traditional religions have virtually disappeared. Samoan society is organized around the extended family, or aigu, headed by a chief. Traditional houses have oval, thatched roofs and are supported on wooden poles. Foreigners, including Americans, are prohibited by local laws from buying Samoan-owned land. Many Samoans have migrated to Hawaii and the continental United States.
Education is free and compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 18. Instruction is provided by 30 public primary schools and 6 private schools, about 160 village schools, for early education, and a community college. In the consolidated public elementary schools, television is used for instruction purposes.
| American Samoa | History | Back to Top |
Samoa Islands were the original home of the Polynesian race, from which colonists peopled the other Polynesian islands of the Pacific. Ethnologists, however, now believe that two separate waves of immigrants populated the islands, the first group probably originating in southeastern Asia. The later migration displaced the original Samoans, who then began to colonize the more easterly islands of Polynesia. The first European to visit the islands in 1722 was Jacob Roggeveen, a Dutch navigator. In 1768 Louis Antoine de Bougainville, a French explorer, named the group the Navigators Islands. During the 19th century Germany, Britain, and the United States established commercial posts on the islands. In 1878 the United States annexed Pago Pago for use as a naval coaling station. In 1888 native disturbances resulting from the selection of a king created a crisis among the three powers. The matter was settled by the Act of Berlin in 1889, which proclaimed the independence and neutrality of the islands and guaranteed the natives full liberty in the election of their king. In 1899, during the course of a native civil war, the United States and Britain formed an alliance against Germany, and Apia, the site of the German station, was shelled by British and U.S. ships. Agreement, however, was reached in the same year.
| American Samoa | Culture | Back to Top |
Agriculture is a principal occupation, and tuna fishing and tourism are major industries. The most important crops include taro, coconuts, bananas, oranges, pineapples, papayas, breadfruit, and yams. Additional food must be imported. Canned tuna as well as grass mats and other handicrafts are exported. The economy, however, remains largely dependent upon grants and appropriations by the Congress of the United States. Regular shipping services connect American Samoa with the mainland United States, Fiji, Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan.
| Malaysia | Land | Back to Top |
the largest island of the group, covers an area of 143 sq km (55 sq mi). In 1990 Tutuila’s population was 45,043. Pago Pago (1990 population, 3,519), on Tutuila, is the seat of government of American Samoa and has one of the finest harbors in the South Pacific. The total area of American Samoa is 200 sq km (77 sq mi); in 2001 the population was estimated to be 67,084.
| Malaysia | Economy | Back to Top |
This is a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US, with which American Samoa conducts the great bulk of its foreign trade. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector, with canned tuna the primary export. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well-being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism, a developing sector, has been held back by the recurring financial difficulties in East Asia.
| American Samoa | Communications | Back to Top |
domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Pacific Ocean)
| American Samoa | Politics | Back to Top |
Democratic Party [leader NA]; Republican Party [leader NA]
| American Samoa | Legal | Back to Top |
Legal system: NA Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal Executive branch: chief of state: President George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001) and Vice President Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001) head of government: Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1997) and Lieutenant Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 3 January 1997) cabinet: NA elections: US president and vice president elected on the same ticket for four-year terms; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: Tauese P. SUNIA reelected governor; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 50.7%, Lealaifuaneva Peter REID (independent) 47.8% Legislative branch: bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs and serve four-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); Senate - last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2004) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - NA; note - only independents elected note: American Samoa elects one delegate to the US House of Representatives; election last held 7 November 2000 (next to be held NA November 2002); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate for a sixth term Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior)
| American Samoa | organization | Back to Top |
ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC
| American Samoa | Defence | Back to Top |
defense is the responsibility of the US
| Malaysia | International Disputes | Back to Top |
None
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| American Samoa | Time | Back to Top |
| American Samoa | Currency and General Information | Back to Top |
| Countries Currency Unit | USD/Unit | Units/USD | |
| DZD | Algeria Dinars | 0.0129554 | 77.1877 |
| USD | United States Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| ARS | Argentina Pesos | 0.341293 | 2.93004 |
| AUD | Australia Dollars | 0.533413 | 1.87472 |
| ATS | Austria Schillings ** | 0.0632609 | 15.8076 |
| BSD | Bahamas Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BBD | Barbados Dollars | 0.502513 | 1.99000 |
| BEF | Belgium Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| BMD | Bermuda Dollars | 1.00000 | 1.00000 |
| BRL | Brazil Reals | 0.430318 | 2.32386 |
| GBP | United Kingdom Pounds | 1.42399 | 0.702251 |
| BGL | Bulgaria Leva | 0.447293 | 2.23567 |
| CAD | Canada Dollars | 0.627606 | 1.59336 |
| CLP | Chile Pesos | 0.00152392 | 656.202 |
| CNY | China Yuan Renminbi | 0.120813 | 8.27726 |
| CYP | Cyprus Pounds | 1.49883 | 0.667186 |
| CZK | Czech Republic Koruny | 0.0281883 | 35.4758 |
| DKK | Denmark Kroner | 0.117155 | 8.53568 |
| XCD | East Caribbean Dollars | 0.370370 | 2.70000 |
| EGP | Egypt Pounds | 0.217271 | 4.60255 |
| EUR | Euro | 0.870489 | 1.14878 |
| FJD | Fiji Dollars | 0.447227 | 2.23600 |
| FIM | Finland Markkaa ** | 0.146406 | 6.83034 |
| FRF | France Francs ** | 0.132705 | 7.53550 |
| DEM | Germany Deutsche Marks ** | 0.445074 | 2.24682 |
| XAU | Gold Ounces | 301.977 | 0.00331151 |
| GRD | Greece Drachmae ** | 0.00255463 | 391.447 |
| HKD | Hong Kong Dollars | 0.128215 | 7.79939 |
| HUF | Hungary Forint | 0.00358416 | 279.006 |
| ISK | Iceland Kronur | 0.00999868 | 100.013 |
| INR | India Rupees | 0.0205205 | 48.7319 |
| IDR | Indonesia Rupiahs | 0.000102055 | 9,798.61 |
| IEP | Ireland Pounds ** | 1.10529 | 0.904738 |
| ILS | Israel New Shekels | 0.212386 | 4.70841 |
| ITL | Italy Lire ** | 0.000449570 | 2,224.35 |
| JMD | Jamaica Dollars | 0.0210041 | 47.6099 |
| JPY | Japan Yen | 0.00754183 | 132.594 |
| JOD | Jordan Dinars | 1.41057 | 0.708931 |
| LBP | Lebanon Pounds | 0.000660937 | 1,513.00 |
| LUF | Luxembourg Francs ** | 0.0215788 | 46.3417 |
| MYR | Malaysia Ringgits | 0.263330 | 3.79751 |
| MXN | Mexico Pesos | 0.111007 | 9.00848 |
| NZD | New Zealand Dollars | 0.440474 | 2.27028 |
| NOK | Norway Kroner | 0.113022 | 8.84780 |
| NLG | Netherlands Guilders ** | 0.395011 | 2.53158 |
| PKR | Pakistan Rupees | 0.0166945 | 59.9000 |
| PHP | Philippines Pesos | 0.0196386 | 50.9202 |
| XPT | Platinum Ounces | 510.962 | 0.00195709 |
| PLN | Poland Zlotych | 0.243488 | 4.10699 |
| PTE | Portugal Escudos ** | 0.00434198 | 230.310 |
| ROL | Romania Lei | 0.0000303433 | 32,956.21 |
| RUR | Russia Rubles | 0.0321342 | 31.1195 |
| SAR | Saudi Arabia Riyals | 0.266668 | 3.74998 |
| XAG | Silver Ounces | 4.65692 | 0.214734 |
| SGD | Singapore Dollars | 0.542540 | 1.84318 |
| SKK | Slovakia Koruny | 0.0208441 | 47.9751 |
| ZAR | South Africa Rand | 0.0883340 | 11.3207 |
| KRW | South Korea Won | 0.000759354 | 1,316.91 |
| ESP | Spain Pesetas ** | 0.00523174 | 191.141 |
| XDR | IMF Special Drawing Rights | 1.24862 | 0.800882 |
| SDD | Sudan Dinars | 0.00384615 | 260.000 |
| SEK | Sweden Kronor | 0.0964189 | 10.3714 |
| CHF | Switzerland Francs | 0.593789 | 1.68410 |
| TWD | Taiwan New Dollars | 0.0286531 | 34.9002 |
| THB | Thailand Baht | 0.0230087 | 43.4619 |
| TTD | Trinidad and Tobago Dollars | 0.163399 | 6.12000 |
| TRL | Turkey Liras | 0.000000763622 | 1,309,549.07 |
| VEB | Venezuela Bolivares | 0.00108696 | 920.000 |
| ZMK | Zambia Kwacha | 0.000239866 | 4,169.00 |
| American Samoa : Geographic coordinates | 14 20 S, 170 00 W |
| American Samoa : Population growth rate | 2.42% |
| American Samoa : Birth rate | 24.88 births/1,000 population |
| American Samoa : Death rate | 4.31 deaths/1,000 population |
| American Samoa : People living with HIV/AIDS | N/A |
| American Samoa : Independence | N/A |
| American Samoa : National holiday | Flag Day, 17 April |
| American Samoa : Constitution | 1967 |
| American Samoa : GDP | purchasing power parity - $500 million |
| American Samoa : GDP - per capita | purchasing power parity - $8,000 |
| American Samoa : Electricity - consumption | 120.9 million kWh |
| American Samoa : Exports | $500 million canned tuna. |
| American Samoa : Imports | $471 million ls for canneries, food, petroleum products etc. |
| American Samoa : Telephones | 13,000 |
| American Samoa : Mobile cellular | 2,550 |
| American Samoa : Radio broadcast stations | AM 1, FM 1, shortwave 0 |
| American Samoa : Radios | 57,000 |
| American Samoa : Television broadcast stations | 1 |
| American Samoa : Televisions | 14,000 |
| American Samoa : Internet country code | .as |
| American Samoa : Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | 1 |
| American Samoa : Internet users | N/A |
| American Samoa : Railways | 0 km |
| American Samoa : Highways | N/A |
| American Samoa : Waterways | 350 km |
| American Samoa : Pipelines | N/A |
| American Samoa : Ports and harbors | Aunu'u, Auasi, Faleosao, Ofu, Pago Pago |
| American Samoa : Merchant marine | N/A |
| American Samoa : Airports | 4 |
| American Samoa : Heliports | N/A |
| American Samoa : Military branches | N/A |
| American Samoa : Military expenditures | N/A |