Samoa, American

The emblem shows an American eagle holding a Samoan chief's staff and a ceremonial knife, symbolising the protection of Samoa by the USA.

Group of islands 4,200 km/2,610 mi south of Hawaii, administered by the USA; area 200 sq km/77 sq mi; population (2000 est) 57,300. The capital is Pago Pago. Exports include canned tuna (over 90% of exports), handicrafts, and copra. The main languages are Samoan and English; the principal religion is Christianity.

Features The group comprises five volcanic islands, including Tutuila, Tau, and Swains Island, and two coral atolls. There is virgin rainforest, and flying foxes are found here. The national park (1988) includes the prehistoric village of Saua.

Government As a non-self-governing territory of the USA, it is constitutionally an unincorporated territory of the USA, administered by the Department of the Interior. American Samoa elects one non-voting member to the US House of Representatives.

History The islands were settled in c. 1000 BC, and were explored by Europeans in the 18th century. They were acquired by the USA in December 1899 by agreement with Britain and Germany under the Treaty of Berlin. The USA took the eastern part of the Samoan archipelago and occupied the islands from 1900. A constitution was adopted in 1960 and revised in 1967. Around 85,000 American Samoans were living in the USA in 1990.