Eastern Samoa. American Samoa, Territory of American Samoa

Eastern Samoa. American Samoa, Territory of American Samoa

U.S. possession in the South Pacific, part of the Samoa archipelago (in Oceania), consisting of 7 islands — Ofu, Olosega, Ta‘ū, Tutuila, Swains, Rose, and Aunuu. Area — 199 km². Administrative center — Pago Pago (approx. 4,000) on the island of Tutuila. Administrative division — 3 districts. Population — approx. 57,800 (2005). Official language — English, however, the majority of the population speaks Samoan (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages).

Dominant religion — Christianity (over 50% — Protestants, 20% — Catholics). Currency — U.S. dollar.

National holiday — April 17 — Flag Day.

According to the 1967 constitution, executive power in the islands is exercised by a governor (T. Tulafono — since 2003), elected by residents for a term of 4 years (until 1977, appointed by the U.S. Secretary of the Interior). The governor has jurisdiction over all internal affairs of the islands. He appoints the government - 12 heads of executive departments. The legislative body - Fono, consists of 2 chambers - the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate includes 18 members, elected from local chiefs (matai) for a term of 4 years. The House of Representatives consists of 20 members, elected by the population for a term of 2 years, and 1 appointed delegate from Swains Island, who has no voting rights. The governor has the right to veto decisions of the Fono. Eastern Samoa has 1 delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives (without voting rights).

The first Europeans appeared on the islands in 1722, but permanent settlement was established by English missionaries more than a hundred years later (in 1830). Since 1899 - U.S. possession. In 1922, the islands officially received the status of "unincorporated territory" of the U.S. Under pressure from the public of the islands, demanding greater rights in local self-government, a legislative body was formed in 1948.

The economy of Eastern Samoa is heavily oriented towards the U.S. GDP was $500 million in 2000. Leading sectors of the economy - fish processing and canning industry, copra production. Most of the fish processed is supplied by American, Taiwanese, and South Korean fishermen (local fishermen supply only a small portion of the processed fish). The products of the canning industry account for about 93% of exports. Fish processing employs 34% of the economically active population. In addition to fish, meat canning is also produced, crafts are developed, and pumice mining is conducted on a small scale. Coconuts, bananas, pineapples, yams, and breadfruit are grown. Agricultural products are partially exported. There are certain prospects for tourism development.

Electricity production - 130 million kWh (2002).

Road length - 350 km. International airport - Tafuna, near Pago Pago.

The newspaper "Samoa News" is published (in English and Samoan). There are 8 radio stations and 1 cable television station operating.