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.