American Samoa Country & Tourist Information

Location
South Pacific.

Area
201 sq km (77.6 sq miles).

Population
57,496 (2008 estimate).

Population Density
286 per sq km.

Capital
Pago Pago.
Population: 55,000 (2005).

Government
US External Territory (Unincorporated). Gained a measure of self-government in 1977.

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, among others.

Time
GMT - 11.

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

Head of Government
Acting Governor Togiola Tulafono since 2003.

Head of State
President George W Bush since 2001.

Recent History
Since WWII, American Samoa has developed into a modern, self-governing political system. The government is divided into three branches, similar to the United States: the executive branch is led by the governor and lieutenant governor; the legislative branch is led by the local legislature, consisting of the House of Representatives, who are elected by popular vote and the Senate, who are represented by the village matai; the judicial branch is part of the US judicial system. American Samoa has a non-voting representative elected to the US Congress.

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

Mobile Telephone
Roaming agreements do not exist at present.

Internet
Internet cafes exist. Samoanet is the country’s sole Internet service provider.

Media
As a territory of the USA, American Samoa enjoys the press freedoms provided under the US Constitution.

Post
American Samoa is part of the US postal system and the same standard postal rates apply.

Post office hours: 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 Monday to Friday 0800 to 1600 and Saturday 0830 to 1200.

Press
• The island’s own English-language newspaper is the News Bulletin.
• The Samoa Journal Advertiser and Samoa News are also published in English.

Radio
• There are three FM stations and three AM stations.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
19 Jan Martin Luther King Day. 
16 Feb Presidents' Day.
25 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul Independence Day.
7 Sep Labor Day.
12 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
26 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

2010
1 Jan New Year's Day. 
18 Jan Martin Luther King Day. 
15 Feb Presidents' Day.
31 May Memorial Day.
4 Jul Independence Day.
6 Sep Labor Day.
11 Oct Columbus Day.
11 Nov Veterans' Day.
25 Nov Thanksgiving Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.

Contact Information:

Diplomatic Representation
American Samoa is an External Territory of the United States of America, and is represented abroad by US Embassies – see the USA section.

Office of Tourism
Department of Commerce, American Samoa Government, PO Box 1147, Pago Pago, American Samoa 96799
Tel: 699 9411.
Website: www.amsamoatourism.com


Next Page »