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Fact Sheet

American Samoa Fact Sheet

Weather & Climate

Being a tropical climate, American Samoa has only two distinct seasons. During the hot and rainy season from December to April, temperatures go up to 90 degrees and have 8 inches of rain fall on a typical day. The heat is often tempered by trade winds and has cooling effect by its afternoon showers. May to November is cooler and drier, with less humidity and breezy cool evenings.

People and Geography

American Samoa is a small archipelago that occupies only 76 square miles of land. Five of the main islands (Tutuila, Ta’u, Ofu, Olosega, Aunu’u, Nu’utele) are volcanic, with rugged peaks, narrow coastal plains and fringing reefs. Swain’s and Rose Islands are coral atolls.

The islands’ volcanoes, have not been active since 1911, have sculptured our lands and left an intriguing land formation, including lava tubes to explore. On Tutuila, the largest island, a huge volcano’s calderas formed one of the deepest and best-protected harbors in the South Pacific.

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.

THE PEOPLE
About 64,000 people live in American Samoa, 89% of them Samoan (Polynesian) 2% Caucasian, 4% Tongan and another 5% from other nations.
While there is a strong American influence in the islands, American Samoans retain our cultural heritage. Extended family groups, known as aiga, are the central unit. Each aiga is led by a matai.

Places of Interest

American Samoa is in the initial stages of our tourism development, so visitors can discover its unspoiled beauty and character.

While our range of activities may not be as extensive as neighboring Pacific Islands, there is still much to do and see and a beautiful  experience to treasure.

Pago Pago
Pago Pago was the setting for Somerset Maugham’s well-known short story, ‘Rain’. Set on a magnificent harbor and surrounded by densely forested mountains, the city has a character of its own; the market place is the best place to start to capture it’s character – and the Fa’a Samoa.

Because of strict building guidelines that limit the height of buildings, the views of the city and harbor are magnificent from just about anywhere provides you with breathtaking and majestic unspoiled views. 

The American Samoa National Park’s visitor center is located in Pago Plaza and is worth a visit before exploration of the islands begins. The National Park is situated in three islands of our islands: Tutuila, Ta’u and Ofu.

A trip to Tula to visit traditional American Samoan village. 

A trip goes to Aunu’u Island, where there are the amazing red quick sands at Pala Lake and surf roiling onto spectacular rocks at Ma’ama’a Cove. 

A two-day cruise takes in some of the outer islands which includes staying in a traditional American Samoan village overnight.