American Samoa
Group of islands 4,200 km/2,610 mi S of Hawaii, administered by the
USA
Area:
200 sq km/77 sq mi
Capital:
Pago Pago
Physical:
Five volcanic islands, including Tutuila, Tau, and Swain's Island,
and two coral atolls; virgin rainforest; flying foxes
Features:
National park (1988) includes prehistoric village of Saua
Exports:
Canned tuna, handicrafts, copra
Currency:
US dollar
Population:
(1993) 52,900
Language:
Samoan and English
Religion:
Christian
Government:
As a non-self- governing territory of the USA, it is constitutionally
an unincorporated territory of the USA, administered by the Department
of the Interior
History:
The islands were acquired by the USA Dec 1899 by agreement with Britain
and Germany under the Treaty of Berlin. A constitution was adopted
1960 and revised 1967. Around 85,000 American Samoans were living
in the USA in 1990.
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