World Country Guide

General Information

Area
201 sq km (77.6 sq miles).

Population
57,291 (2000).

Population Density
285.0 per sq km.

Capital
Pago Pago. Population: 4,278 (2000).

Geography
American Samoa lies in the Pacific Ocean approximately 3700km (2300 miles) southwest of Hawaii. It comprises seven islands: Tutuila, the largest with an area of 53 sq miles; Ofu, Olosega and Ta’u, known as the Manu’a group; and Aunu’u, Rose and Swain’s. The Manu’a group is volcanic in origin and dominated by high peaks. Rose and Swain’s Islands are uninhabited coral atolls located to the east and north respectively of the other two island groups.

Government
US External Territory (Unincorporated). Gained a measure of self-government in 1977. Head of State: President George W Bush since 2001. Head of Government: Acting Governor Togiola Tulafono since 2003.

Language
Samoan, but many islanders speak English.

Religion
Half of the population are Christian Congregational. There are also Roman Catholics, Latter Day Saints and Protestants, amongst others.

Time
GMT - 11.

Electricity
110V AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 684. All outgoing calls must go through the international operator.

Mobile telephone
GSM 1900 network operated by Blue Sky (www.blueskynet.as). US-style (non-GSM) network operated by American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (website: www.samoatelco.com). Roaming agreements do not exist at present.

Fax
Hotels have facilities.

Internet
Main ISP is American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (see above for website). Internet cafes exist.

Telegram
Facilities are available at main towns and hotels.

Post
American Samoa is part of the US postal system and the same standard postal rates apply. The main Post office in the Lumana’i Building in Fagatogo is open 24 hours. There are also branches in Leone and Faguita villages, open Mon-Fri 0800-1600 and Sat 0830-1200.

Press
The island’s own English-language newspaper is the News Bulletin, published from Monday to Friday. The Samoa Journal and Advertiser and Samoa News are also published in English.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.