Why is American Samoa separate from Samoa?
American Samoa is the result of the Second Samoan Civil War and an agreement made between Germany, the United States, and the United Kingdom in the Tripartite Convention of 1899. The international rivalries were settled by the 1899 Treaty of Berlin in which Germany and the U.S. divided the Samoan archipelago.
What is the difference between America and American Samoa?
Samoa (pronounced Saa-Moh-uh) is an independent nation made up of 2 main islands, Upolu and Savaii and several smaller and uninhabited islands. American Samoa is one main island with a few smaller islands that is an overseas territory of the United States.
How far apart is Samoa and American Samoa?
Distance from American Samoa to Samoa is 164 kilometers. This air travel distance is equal to 102 miles. The air travel (bird fly) shortest distance between American Samoa and Samoa is 164 km= 102 miles.
Is American Samoa its own country?
American Samoa is an unincorporated overseas territory of the United States. The island territory shares maritime borders with Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands (New Zealand), Niue (New Zealand), and Tokelau (New Zealand). It is the United States' only territory south of the equator.
Are Samoans US citizens?
Unlike citizens of other U.S. territories who are U.S. citizens, American Samoans are U.S. nationals. However, neither citizens nor nationals of U.S. territories vote in Federal elections and pay Federal taxes.
Are Hawaiian and Samoan the same?
American Samoa The Samoans are a Polynesian people closely related to the native peoples of New Zealand, French Polynesia, Hawaii, and Tonga.
Why did Samoa skip a day?
Because it is located near the equator, Samoa traditionally did not observe daylight saving time.
Is Samoa divided?
Samoa and American Samoa Politically, the Samoan Islands are divided into two jurisdictions: Samoa, an independent nation that gained political independence from New Zealand in 1962. It comprises the western half of the Samoa islands, (2,831 km2 (1,093 sq mi) and 196,000 inhabitants (2016)).
Can you take a boat to American Samoa?
Entry requirements. All yachts and boats entering American Samoa are required to contact the Harbor Master on VHF Channel 16 prior to entering our waters. Once contact has been made yachts and boats are to proceed immediately to Pago Pago Harbor where Immigration and Customs clearances and processing is completed.
Are Guam U.S. citizens?
Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States, meaning that only select parts of the U.S. Constitution apply to its residents. Individuals born in Guam are considered citizens of the United States.
What are the 7 U.S. territories?
The US Territories are:Puerto Rico.Guam.US Virgin Islands.Northern Mariana Islands.American Samoa.Midway Atoll.Palmyra Atoll.Baker Island.More items...•
Can a U.S. citizen move to American Samoa?
If you plan to move to American Samoa, you'll need a non-immigrant visa, but obtaining one of these visas might require you to have already secured employment in American Samoa, in which case, you might have to visit the island first as a prospective job applicant.
Are citizens of US territories US citizens?
Individuals born in any of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia or almost any inhabited territory are natural-born United States citizens.
What is American Samoa known for?
An island nation under the administration the United States and located in the South Pacific, American Samoa is known for its beautiful natural surroundings. It is home to pristine beaches and reefs. Most Samoans are bilingual, speaking Samoan and English.
How many US territories are there?
14 territoriesMost people know that the United States is made up of 50 states, but fewer realize the nation also has 14 territories—and arguably even more.
Is Pago Pago a U.S. territory?
About Pago Pago Satellite View is showing Pago Pago, territorial capital of the U.S. territory of American Samoa. The village of Fagatogo is the territory's official seat of government, located within Pago Pago Harbor, on the island of Tutuila, a basaltic volcanic island.
Overview
American Samoa (Samoan: Amerika Sāmoa, [aˈmɛɾika ˈsaːmʊa]; also Amelika Sāmoa or Sāmoa Amelika) is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the independent state of Samoa. Its location is centered on 14°18′S 170°42′W / 14.3°S 170.7°W . It is east of the International Date Line, while Samoa is west of the Line. The total land are…
History
Traditional oral literature of Samoa and Manuʻa talks of a widespread Polynesian network or confederacy (or "empire") that was prehistorically ruled by the successive Tui Manuʻa dynasties. Manuan genealogies and religious oral literature also suggest that the Tui Manuʻa had long been one of the most prestigious and powerful paramounts of Samoa. Oral history suggests that th…
Notable events
On December 13, 1784, French navigator Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse landed two exploration parties on Tutuila's north shore: one from the ship La Boussole at Fagasa, and the other from L'Astrolabe at Aʻasu. One of the cooks, David, died of "scorbutic dropsy". On December 11, twelve members of Lapérouse's crew (including First Officer Paul Antoine Fleuriot de Langle) were …
Government and politics
American Samoa is classified in U.S. law as an unincorporated territory; the Ratification Act of 1929 vested all civil, judicial, and military powers in the President of the United States. In 1951, with Executive Order 10264, President Harry Truman delegated that authority to the Secretary of the Interior. On June 21, 1963 Paramount Chief Tuli Leʻiato of Fagaʻitua was sworn in and installed a…
Geography
American Samoa, located within the geographical region of Oceania, is one of only two possessions of the United States in the Southern Hemisphere, the other being Jarvis Island. Its total land area is 76.1 square miles (197.1 km )—slightly larger than Washington, D.C.—consisting of five rugged, volcanic islands and two coral atolls.
Climate
American Samoa has a tropical climate all year round with two distinct seasons, the wet and dry season. The wet season is usually between December and March and the dry season from April through to September with the average daily temperature around 81–83 °F (27–28 °C) all year round.
The climate is warm, tropical, and humid, averaging around 80 °F or 26.7 °C, wi…
Economy
The economic health of American Samoa reflects the trends in other populated U.S. territories, which are in turn dependent on federal appropriations. Federal dollars enter the economy through congressional appropriations, categorical grants, Social Security payments, and payments to Samoans retired from the military. Tuna canning is the backbone of the American Samoa economy. Can…
Transportation
American Samoa has 150 miles (240 km) of highways (estimated in 2008). The maximum speed limit is 30 miles per hour. Ports and harbors include Aunuʻu, Auasi, Faleasao, Ofu and Pago Pago. American Samoa has no railways. The territory has three airports, all of which have paved runways. The main airport is Pago Pago International Airport, on the island of Tutuila. The Manuʻa group has two …