American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of (the independent nation of) Samoa. Its location is centered on 14.2710° S, 170.1322° W. It is east of the International Date Line, while Samoa is west of the Line.
American Samoa
American Samoa consists of five main islands and two coral atolls. The largest and most populous island is Tutuila, with the Manuʻa Islands, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island also included in the territory. All islands except for Swains Island are part of the Samoan Islands, located west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 300 miles (500 km) south of Tokelau. To the west are the islands of the Wallis and Futuna group.
As of 2020 the population of American Samoa is approximately 55,212 people. Most American Samoans are bilingual and can speak English and Samoan fluently.
As of 2020 the population of American Samoa is approximately 55,212 people. Most American Samoans are bilingual and can speak English and Samoan fluently.
The total land area is 199 square kilometers (76.8 sq mi), slightly more than Washington, D.C. American Samoa is the southernmost territory of the United States and one of two U.S. territories south of the Equator, along with the uninhabited Jarvis Island. Tuna products are the main exports, and the main trading partner is the United States.
American Samoa has been a member of the Pacific Community since 1983.
American Samoa is noted for having the highest rate of military enlistment of any U.S. state or territory. As of September 9, 2014, the local U.S. Army recruiting station in Pago Pago was ranked first in production out of the 885 Army recruiting stations and centers under the United States Army Recruiting Command.
Avifauna
The Blue-crowned lorikeet is the only parrot found in American Samoa
Sixteen of the Samoan Islands’ 34 bird species are found nowhere else on Earth. This includes the critically endangered Tooth-billed pigeon. Four species of birds are only found in the Manu'a Islands and not on Tutuila. These include American Samoa's only parrot, the Blue-crowned Lory. Other special birds to Manu’a are the Lesser shrikebill and the Friendly ground-dove. The Spotless crake has only been observed on Ta'Å« Island.
There are more species of birds than all species of reptiles, mammals and amphibians combined. Native land birds include two honeyeaters: Cardinal honeyeater and Wattled honeyeater. Cardinal honeyeaters only occur on Tutuila Island. The only endemic land bird to American Samoa is the Samoan starling. Four pigeons are native to American Samoa: Pacific imperial pigeon, Many-colored fruit dove, White-capped fruit dove, and Shy ground dove. The local government banned all pigeon hunting in 1992.
The Many-colored fruit dove is one of the rarest birds that nest on Tutuila. Studies in the 1980s estimated their population size at Tutuila to be only around 80 birds. Amalau Valley has been described as the best place in American Samoa to observe the Many-colored fruit dove.
The offshore islet of Pola Island near Vatia is a nesting site for many seabird species and an excellent area to observe seabirds. The Pola region of Vatia and Rose Atoll are the only places in American Samoa where there are breeding colonies of Red-footed boobies.
Birds which depend on freshwater habitat include the Pacific reef heron and Pacific black duck, the Samoan Islands' only species of duck. The largest wetland areas are the pala lagoons in Nu'uuli and Leone as well as Pala Lake on Aunu'u Island.