Population: 57,881 (July
2005 est.)
Capital: Pago Pago
Languages: Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific
islander 2.1%, other 2%
most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Religions: Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Government: NA
Climate: tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m;
rainy season from November to April, dry season from May to October; little seasonal temperature variation
Terrain: five volcanic islands with
rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Geography: Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from
rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
Ethnic groups: native Pacific islander 92.9%, Asian 2.9%, white 1.2%, mixed 2.8%, other 0.2% (2000 census)
Economy: 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 most 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 is a promising developing sector.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity -
$8,000 (2000 est.)
GDP real growth: NA
Unemployment rate: 6% (2000)
Internet country code: .as
Dial code: +684