 |
|
| ⇒ Country Profile: American Samoa |
|
 Introduction
American Samoa, a tropical island paradise in the heart of Polynesia, has succeeded in keeping the traditional values of old Samoa. It is made up of seven islands, including Ta'u, Olosega and Ofu, known as the Manu'a group, which are volcanic in origin and dominated by high peaks.
The island's volcanoes, inactive since 1911, have left an intriguing land formation, including lava tubes to explore. Most people live in villages along the narrow coastal plains, living off the sea and cultivating agriculture in the plains and nearby hills. Half the island chain is still covered with tropical forests and woodlands that are home to wildlife and birds.
Traditional Samoan society is based on a chieftain system of hereditary rank, and is known as the Samoan way or fa'a Samoa. Despite the inroads of modern, Western civilisation, local cultural institutions are the strongest single influence in American Samoa.
|
|
Contact Information
Keys Facts
Location
South Pacific.
Time
GMT - 11.
Area
201 sq km (77.6 sq miles).
Population
57,496 (2008 estimate).
Population Density
286 per sq km.
Capital
Pago Pago. Population: 55,000 (2005).
Geography
American Samoa lies in the Pacific Ocean approximately 3,700km (2,300 miles) southwest of Hawaii. It comprises seven islands: Tutuila, the largest with an area of 137 sq km (53 sq miles); Ofu, Olosega and Ta'u, known as the Manu'a group; and Aunu'u, Rose and Swain's. The Manu'a group is volcanic in origin and dominated by high peaks. Rose and Swain's Islands are uninhabited coral atolls, located to the east and north, respectively, of the other two island groups.
Government
US External Territory (Unincorporated). Gained a measure of self-government in 1977.
Head of State
President George W Bush since 2001.
Head of Government
Acting Governor Togiola Tulafono since 2003.
History
Since WWII, American Samoa has developed into 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.
Language
Samoan, but many islanders speak English.
Religion
Half of the population are Christian Congregational. There are also Roman Catholics, Latter Day Saints and Protestants, among others.
Electricity
110V AC, 60Hz. US-style two-pin plugs are in use.
Social Conventions
Traditional Samoan society is still bound by very strict customs and, despite the younger generation's dissatisfaction with the old values, they are very much adhered to. The government issues an official list of behaviour codes for both Samoas. Skimpy shorts or other revealing clothes should be avoided except when swimming or climbing coconut palms, although disapproval of shorts, if they are not too short, is on the wane.
Samoan social behaviour conforms to strict and rather complicated rituals, to which the visitor will probably be introduced on arrival, and which should be respected.
In the early evening hours, even if swimming offshore, be sure to avoid making any noise that could interrupt the Samoans' prayer period. Usually three gongs are sounded. The first is the signal to return to the house, the second is for prayer and the third sounds the all-clear. In some villages, swimming and fishing are forbidden on Sunday.
A visitor who happens to be invited to stay in a Samoan household should be mindful of American Samoan customs. On leaving, making a gift, a mea alofa (literally a 'thing of love') of shirts, belts or dress-length fabrics is most appreciated. Samoans are extremely hospitable and visitors may receive more than one invitation to stay with neighbours. However, it is inappropriate to leave your first hosts before a pre-arranged date.
|
|
Accommodation
Hotels
American Samoa has a wide range of motel and hotel accommodation, from international-standard hotels to simple guest houses.
Homestay Accommodation
The National Park of American Samoa runs a homestay programme providing cheap accommodation with local families in western-style houses or Samoan beach fales (simple thatched huts).
Accommodation Information
National Park of American Samoa
Pagp Pago, American Samoa 96799
Tel: 633 7082.
Website: www.nps.gov/npsa
|
|
Communication
Telephone
Country code: 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.
Post
American Samoa is part of the US postal system and the same standard postal rates apply.
Post office hours: 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.
Media
As a territory of the USA, American Samoa enjoys the press freedoms provided under the US Constitution.
Press
- The island's own English-language newspaper is the News Bulletin.
- The Samoa Journal Advertiser and Samoa News are also published in English.
TV
- Television KV2K broadcasts on three channels. It is owned by the Office of Public Information.
Radio
- There are three FM stations and three AM stations.
|
|
Entertainment
Food and Drink
Restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian and Polynesian. There are also various drive-in restaurants.
National specialities:
- Fia fia (suckling pig, chicken, fish, palusami (coconut cream wrapped in taro leaves and cooked in the umu, or pit oven), breadfruit, coconut, bananas, lime and mango).
National drinks:
Kava is the national drink and is often drunk in sacred ceremonies. If you become intimate with Samoans, you may be invited to a genuine kava ceremony. If you go, follow these basic rules: do not sip until you tip a little kava from its coconut shell cup onto the ground immediately in front of you while saying manuia (mah-noo-ee-ah), meaning good luck; do not drain your cup - leave a little and tip it out before handing the cup back to the server; remember that drinking kava is a solemn, sacred ceremony not to be confused with a casual round of drinks in Western society. The taste may take a while to acquire.
Tipping: Not customary.
Nightlife
There are many nightspots with music and dancing. Samoan fia fias (feasting and traditional dancing), also known as Samoan feasts, are organised regularly by several establishments. Samoan village fia fias can be arranged through local tour operators. Visitors are usually welcome at any event in the villages and churches.
Shopping
Special purchases include handmade tapa cloth, the puletasi (women's dress) or lavalava (men's costume) made by local dressmakers, shell beads and purses, woodcarvings, woven laufala table and floor mats, carved kava bowls, Samoan records and duty-free goods.
Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1700 and Sat 0800-1300.
|
|
Getting There
Getting There by Air
The international airline is Samoa Air (SE).
Approximate Flight Times
From London to Pago Pago is 25 hours, depending on route taken and stopover times. A typical journey would probably involve stopovers in Los Angeles and Honolulu.
Main Airports
Pago Pago (PPG) is 12km (8 miles) from the city.
To/from the airport: Buses and taxis are available. Regular scheduled trips are available plus charters and sightseeing.
Facilities: Duty-free shops and a restaurant.
Departure Tax
None.
Getting There by Water
Main port: The international port is Pago Pago (Tutuila), which is served by a number of passenger/cruise and cargo lines.
|
|
Sightseeing
- Don't miss the harbour of Pago Pago, made famous by Somerset Maugham's short story, Rain. It is actually the crater of an extinct volcano.
- See Ta'u Island, considered the birthplace of the Polynesian people and therefore recognised as a sacred site. Upolu in neighbouring Samoa is sometimes visible.
- Head to Amanave Village to admire the rugged beauty of the area's volcanic coastline.
- See the traditional 'turtle and shark' legend performed in Vaitogi. Mountain excursions are available at nearby Aoloau.
- Head to Forbidden Bay, claimed to be one of the most beautiful in the South Pacific. Situated on the north coast, it can be reached from Fagasa on a trek or a boat trip.
|
|
Things To Do
- Follow one of the marked trails leading into the lush interior of the islands. Aim for the National Park of American Samoa. The park's visitor centre is the Pago Plaza and the park itself is spread across three islands. Guided trips to the volcanoes are also possible.
- Visit a traditional Samoan settlement. Situated at the far end of the eastern district of Tutuila, Tula Village overlooks a coastline of white sandy beaches and reefs that are exposed at low tide.
- Take advantage of American Samoa's many white sandy beaches offering safe swimming, with excellent facilities for diving, snorkelling and kayaking. Surfing can be done at Alofay Bay, Carter Beach and Leone Bay.
- Dive in the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, which was established to protect the corals reefs and marine life in the area. Diving equipment can be hired easily and a number of companies provide dive courses and cruises to the best sites.
- Cruise to neighbouring Samoa and stay overnight in a local Fale (Samoan home).
- Go game-fishing for marlin, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and skip jack. Fully-equipped fishing boats can be hired through hotels or tour operators.
- Attend a fia fia, the legendary Samoan feast where food and entertainment go hand in hand. Suckling pig, chicken and fish, breadfruit, coconuts and mango are served during performances of traditional dancing.
|
|
Transport
Getting Around by Air
Samoa Air operates daily scheduled inter-island flights and serves Western Samoa and Tonga.
Getting Around by Water
Main port: Pago Pago (Tutuila).
There is a weekly ferry service from Pago Pago to the Manu'a Islands. A government-run excursion boat sails regularly around Tutuila, calling at the north coast villages of Afono, Vatia and Fagasa.
Getting Around by Road
Traffic drives on the right. There are more than 150km (93 miles) of paved roads and 200km (125 miles) of unpaved or secondary roads throughout the islands.
Bus: A local service operates between the airport and the centre of Pago Pago. The Aiga bus operates an inexpensive but unscheduled service between Fagatogo and outlying villages. These buses are quaint and are often an experience in themselves, usually lively and decked out in stereo or video systems.
Taxi: Plentiful; the government-fixed fares are displayed in all taxis.
Car hire: Available; local companies impose a minimum age of 21 for drivers.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit or valid national driving licence will be accepted.
|
|
Weather
Very warm, tropical climate. The heaviest rainfalls are usually between December and April. The climate is best during the winter months, May to September, when there are moderate southeast trade winds. There is a local cyclone season from November to April.
Required Clothing
Lightweight cottons and linens throughout the year plus a warmer layer for cooler winter evenings, and rainwear for the wet season (December to April).
|
|
|
|
| |
| Other local interests |
|
No records found
|
|
| Your videos for this hotel |
|
|
|
| Your pictures for this hotel |
|
|
|
|
Images for 'Sadie Thompson Inn'
