American Samoa Travel Guide

American Samoa — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: South Pacific.
Language: Samoan, but many islanders speak English.
Area: 201 sq km (77.6 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT - 11.
Electricity: 110V AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are in use.
Population: 65,628 (2009).
Population Density: 327 per sq km.
Capital City: Pago Pago. Population: 55,000 (2005).
Government: US External Territory (Unincorporated). Gained a measure of self-government in 1977.
Head of Government: Acting Governor Togiola Tulafono since 2003.
Head of State: President Barack Obama since 2008.
Religion: Half of the population are Christian Congregational. There are also Roman Catholics, Latter Day Saints and Protestants, among others.

Recent History

Since WWII, American Samoa has developed 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.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: +1 684. 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. The island's own English-language newspaper is the News Bulletin. The Samoa Journal Advertiser and Samoa News are also published in English. Television KV2K broadcasts on three channels. It is owned by the Office of Public Information. There are three FM radio stations and three AM radio stations.

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 Monday to Friday 0800 to 1600 and Saturday 0830 to 1200.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan New Year’s Day
11 Jan Martin Luther King Day
21 Feb Presidents’ Day
30 May Memorial Day
4 Jul Independence Day
5 Sep Labor Day
10 Oct Columbus Day
11 Nov Veterans’ Day
24 Nov Thanksgiving Day
25 Dec Christmas Day

2012
1 Jan New Year’s Day
17 Jan Martin Luther King Day
20 Feb Presidents’ Day
28 May Memorial Day
4 Jul Independence Day
3 Sep Labor Day
8 Oct Columbus Day
11 Nov Veterans’ Day
22 Nov Thanksgiving Day
25 Dec Christmas Day