ARCHIVE // AS // 2012

American Samoa

2012 Edition — territory

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
View Intelligence Dossier Back to 2012 CSV Excel Print All Years
Communications
Broadcast media [time series]
3 TV stations; multi-channel pay TV services are available; about a dozen radio stations, some of which are repeater stations (2009)
Internet country code [time series]
.as
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
2,387 (2012) country comparison to the world: 161
Internet users [time series]
NA
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: NA domestic: good telex, telegraph, facsimile, and cellular telephone services; domestic satellite system with 1 Comsat earth station international: country code - 1-684; satellite earth station - 1 (Intelsat-Pacific Ocean)
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
10,400 (2009) country comparison to the world: 200
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
bananas, coconuts, vegetables, taro, breadfruit, yams, copra, pineapples, papayas; dairy products, livestock
Budget [time series]
revenues: $155.4 million (FY07) expenditures: $183.6 million (FY07)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]
-6.1% of GDP (FY07) country comparison to the world: 172
Debt - external [time series]
$NA
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
American Samoa has a traditional Polynesian economy in which more than 90% of the land is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the US with which American Samoa conducts most of its commerce. Tuna fishing and tuna processing plants are the backbone of the private sector with canned tuna the primary export. The two tuna canneries account for 80% of employment. In late September 2009, an earthquake and the resulting tsunami devastated American Samoa and nearby Samoa, disrupting transportation and power generation, and resulting in about 200 deaths. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency is overseeing a relief program of nearly $25 million. Transfers from the US Government add substantially to American Samoa's economic well being. Attempts by the government to develop a larger and broader economy are restrained by Samoa's remote location, its limited transportation, and its devastating hurricanes. Tourism is a promising developing sector.
Exchange rates [time series]
the US dollar is used
Exports [time series]
$445.6 million (FY04 est.) country comparison to the world: 174
Exports - commodities [time series]
canned tuna 93%
Fiscal year [time series]
1 October - 30 September
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$462.2 million (2005)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]
$575.3 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 213 $510.1 million (2003 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: NA% industry: NA% services: NA%
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]
$8,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 130 $5,800 (2005 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
3% (2003) country comparison to the world: 113
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Imports [time series]
$308.8 million (FY04 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Imports - commodities [time series]
raw materials for canneries 56%, food, petroleum products, machinery and parts
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
NA%
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
NA%
Labor force [time series]
17,630 (2005) country comparison to the world: 211
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
agriculture: 34% industry: 33% services: 33% (1990)
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
33.6% of GDP (FY07) country comparison to the world: 79
Unemployment rate [time series]
29.8% (2005) country comparison to the world: 176
Energy
Carbon dioxide emissions (Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy) [time series]
688,800 Mt (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 177
Crude oil - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 75
Crude oil - imports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Crude oil - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 107
Crude oil - proved reserves [time series]
0 bbl (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - consumption [time series]
176.7 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 189
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 157
Electricity - from fossil fuels [time series]
100% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 3
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Electricity - from nuclear fuels [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41
Electricity - from other renewable sources [time series]
0% of total installed capacity (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 105
Electricity - imports [time series]
0 kWh (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 156
Electricity - installed generating capacity [time series]
60,000 kW (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 178
Electricity - production [time series]
190 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 185
Natural gas - consumption [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 117
Natural gas - exports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 154
Natural gas - imports [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 155
Natural gas - production [time series]
0 cu m (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 98
Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]
0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 109
Refined petroleum products - consumption [time series]
5,115 bbl/day (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 168
Refined petroleum products - exports [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 150
Refined petroleum products - imports [time series]
2,697 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172
Refined petroleum products - production [time series]
0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 121
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 199 sq km country comparison to the world: 216 land: 199 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Rose Island and Swains Island
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly larger than Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
tropical marine, moderated by southeast trade winds; annual rainfall averages about 3 m; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October); little seasonal temperature variation
Coastline [time series]
116 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 m highest point: Lata Mountain 964 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
limited natural freshwater resources; the water division of the government has spent substantial funds in the past few years to improve water catchments and pipelines
Geographic coordinates [time series]
14 20 S, 170 00 W
Geography - note [time series]
Pago Pago has one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific Ocean, sheltered by shape from rough seas and protected by peripheral mountains from high winds; strategic location in the South Pacific Ocean
Irrigated land [time series]
NA
Land boundaries [time series]
0 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 10% permanent crops: 15% other: 75% (2005)
Location [time series]
Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand
Map references [time series]
Oceania
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
typhoons common from December to March volcanism: limited volcanic activity on the Ofu and Olosega Islands; neither has erupted since the 19th century
Natural resources [time series]
pumice, pumicite
Terrain [time series]
five volcanic islands with rugged peaks and limited coastal plains, two coral atolls (Rose Island, Swains Island)
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three districts and two islands* at the second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western
Capital [time series]
name: Pago Pago geographic coordinates: 14 16 S, 170 42 W time difference: UTC-11 (6 hours behind Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution [time series]
ratified 2 June 1966; effective 1 July 1967
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa conventional short form: American Samoa abbreviation: AS
Dependency status [time series]
unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
none (territory of the US)
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President Barack H. OBAMA (since 20 January 2009); Vice President Joseph R. BIDEN (since 20 January 2009) head of government: Governor Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA (since 3 January 2013) cabinet: Cabinet made up of 12 department directors (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: under the US Constitution, residents of unincorporated territories, such as American Samoa, do not vote in elections for US president and vice president; however, they may vote in Democratic and Republican presidential primary elections; governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms (eligible for a second term); election last held on 6 November 2012 with a runoff election to be held on 20 November 2012 (next to be held in November 2016) election results: runoff election percent of vote - Lolo Matalasi MOLIGA 52.9%, Faoa Aitofele SUNIA 47.1%
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
blue, with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the fly side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a war club known as a "Fa'alaufa'i" (upper; left talon), and a coconut fiber fly whisk known as a "Fue" (lower; right talon); the combination of symbols broadly mimics that seen on the US Great Seal and reflects the relationship between the United States and American Samoa
Government type [time series]
NA
Independence [time series]
none (territory of the US)
International organization participation [time series]
AOSIS, Interpol (subbureau), IOC, PIF (observer), SPC, UPU
Judicial branch [time series]
High Court (chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior); note - the High Court (or Supreme Court) is the highest court in America Samoa; there is no U.S. federal court there
Legal system [time series]
mixed legal system of US common law and customary law
Legislative branch [time series]
bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs to serve four-year terms)and the House of Representatives (21 seats; 20 members are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) elections: House of Representatives - last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); Senate - last held on 4 November 2008 (next to be held in November 2012) election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 20; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - independents 18 note: American Samoa elects one nonvoting representative to the US House of Representatives; election last held on 2 November 2010 (next to be held in November 2012); results - Eni F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA reelected as delegate
National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]
name: "Amerika Samoa" (American Samoa) lyrics/music: Mariota Tiumalu TUIASOSOPO/Napoleon Andrew TUITELELEAPAGA note: local anthem adopted 1950; as a territory of the United States, "The Star-Spangled Banner" is official (see United States)
National holiday [time series]
Flag Day, 17 April (1900)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Democratic Party [Oreta M. TOGAFAU]; Republican Party [Tautai A. F. FAALEVAO]
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
Population Pressure LAS (addresses the growing population pressures)
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.
Military
Manpower fit for military service [time series]
males age 16-49: 14,562 females age 16-49: 14,129 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]
male: 775 female: 762 (2010 est.)
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of the US
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 25.8% (male 7,004/ female 7,153) 15-64 years: 69.7% (male 19,413/ female 18,906) 65 years and over: 4.5% (male 1,144/ female 1,327) (2012 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
22.9 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 73
Death rate [time series]
4.6 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 198
Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups [time series]
native Pacific islander 91.6%, Asian 2.8%, white 1.1%, mixed 4.2%, other 0.3% (2000 census)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 9.4 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 150 male: 12.1 deaths/1,000 live births female: 6.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.)
Languages [time series]
Samoan 90.6% (closely related to Hawaiian and other Polynesian languages), English 2.9%, Tongan 2.4%, other Pacific islander 2.1%, other 2% note: most people are bilingual (2000 census)
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 74.44 years country comparison to the world: 105 male: 71.5 years female: 77.56 years (2012 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 97% male: 98% female: 97% (1980 est.)
Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]
PAGO PAGO (capital) 60,000 (2009)
Median age [time series]
total: 24 years male: 23.9 years female: 24.1 years (2012 est.)
Nationality [time series]
noun: American Samoan(s) (US nationals) adjective: American Samoan
Net migration rate [time series]
-6.46 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 199
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
74.6% (2007) country comparison to the world: 1
Population [time series]
54,947 (July 2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 206
Population growth rate [time series]
-0.44% (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 217
Religions [time series]
Christian Congregationalist 50%, Roman Catholic 20%, Protestant and other 30%
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.88 male(s)/female total population: 1.02 male(s)/female (2011 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
3.1 children born/woman (2012 est.) country comparison to the world: 57
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 93% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 1.8% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
Tokelau included American Samoa's Swains Island (Olohega) in its 2006 draft independence constitution
Transportation
Airports [time series]
3 (2012) country comparison to the world: 194
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 3 over 3,047 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 1 under 914 m: 1 (2012)
Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]
Pago Pago
Roadways [time series]
total: 241 km (2008) country comparison to the world: 206