American Samoa is a country that consists of seven small islands, five of which are of volcanic origins, like the
Samoan archipelago itself, and the other two are considered coral atolls of the Tokelau group. The largest of these small islands is Tutuila, with a combined length of 143 square kilometers. The formal name of the state is the Territory of American Samoa.
Where is American Samoa?
American Samoa on the world map is located in the southern part of the Pacific Basin, and the location of Samoa on the map is the space between the Hawaiian Islands and New Zealand. American Samoa on the world map is located next to Samoa in the west, with the Cook Islands in the east, with Tokelau in the north, with Tonga in the southwest, with the island of Niue the south. Most of the neighboring islands belong to New Zealand.
The total land area is approximately 199 square kilometers.
Eastern (American) Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory that is not part of the Americas. It means that the country is governed by America, ensures the implementation of the constitution, and preserves the territory. Still, the citizens of American Samoa do not have
American citizenship and do not have the right to vote in electing the head of America.
The official
American Samoa currency is the American dollar, and the official languages of communication are Samoan and English.
Eastern (American) Samoa is a place where fans of the southern vacation will get a huge amount of dazzling sensations, a place where a beach holiday is combined with a trip to the jungle.
American Samoa flag is a symbol of the country that includes a white triangle with red edging, a dark blue upper and lower triangle, and a charged bald eagle representing the United States of America. The bird, a national symbol of the United States, holds in its talons a staff and a war club, two traditional symbols of Samoan chieftains that allude to America's guardianship of American Samoa. The flag of American Samoa reflects the symbolic colors of the United States and Samoa. Every year, on April 17, the state celebrates
Flag Day.
American Samoa soccer. The local American Samoa soccer team represents the country in soccer and is controlled by the American Samoa Soccer Federation, the sports body in the territory. The country's national football stadium is Pago Park in Pago Pago, the
capital of American Samoa. American Samoa joined the International Soccer Federation in 1998.
The American Samoa soccer team is not considered one of the
world's strongest teams. In the winter of 2011, it achieved the highest position in the International Football Federation's ranking at that time.
Once you know where Samoa is located on the map, what
American Samoa flag looks like, what American Samoa
football has, and some other interesting facts, check out the ten reasons why you definitely need to visit this unique country, which is a small exotic world.
1. What is the capital of American Samoa
While searching for "
capital of American Samoa", you will come across the beautiful town of Pago Pago, which is a bright and colorful world capital and is known as the best natural and deep harbor of the southern Pacific Basin
. Pago Pago is a generic name for several hamlets that stretch along the shore of Pago Pago Harbor. Pago Pago is the name of the capital, the bay, and the entire area.
The capital of American Samoa combines small, squalid houses and delightful buildings in the local style. However, Pago Pago's harbor is heavily polluted, which is the main vice of the capital. But since very recently, a lot of work has been done to put it in order. Pago Pago is a small residential area with a
population of American Samoa 4,500 inhabitants. Several banks, a large number of various shops and restaurants, the
Haydon Museum, which houses a magnificent collection of old national decorative arts, and the headquarters of local parks.
The main
best place to visit in American Samoa is the wonderful Pago Pago harbor, made famous by Somerset Maugham and the Second World War incidents. It is situated on the South coast, and parts of the island almost in half. The harbor is a large natural harbor and the best anchorage in the area.
Many best place to visit in American Samoa district are impossible not to mention. One of these is Mount Alava, located in the northern part relative to the harbor of Pago Pago. Hiking trails lead to the top of the mountain, from where you can witness the majestic panorama of the regions adjacent to the mountain. The mountain is the center of the
American Samoa National Park.
2. There are beaches, clean sands and clear ocean waters
In addition to all kinds of
American Samoa attractions, travelers should visit the sandy beaches, enjoy the oceans' deliciously clear waters, and admire the magnificent lagoons. By all means, you should meet a unique sunset or sunrise on the beaches.
From the airport, Gogogogo on the Southside offers superb beach Gogogogo with a small resort Mali-Mai. You can see the spectacular scenery of the south coast and a considerable number of wave caverns from the nearby restaurant, right near the beachfront, the district Vaitogi, which houses a small area with pristine tropical forest.
Another road along the coast leads to the western part, namely to Vailoatai. The area of Vailoatai is also called the "
Sliding Rock". Nearby is the village of Alega.
This small village is famous for its beach, which is considered one of the most picturesque on Tutuila. Due to the continuous surf, this beach is also suitable for surfers. This place has all the necessary infrastructure for swimmers and diving.
Tisa's Barefoot Bar, which is famous throughout the area, is popular here. The bar is a thriving nightclub on weekends, and on weekdays it is a quiet place for those who want to relax.
Another immaculate beach is "
Two Dollar Beach". Here you can see
Instagrammable landscapes. The beach itself is also lovely and clean.
The population of American Samoa is very friendly, and everyone speaks English. Here you can easily relax and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
3. Diving among corals and colorful fish
The most
important place that will please lovers of diving and snorkeling is considered Tafuna. Also ideal for snorkeling is the bay, located one and a half kilometers from the coastline.
Fagatele Bay, located in the southern part of Tutuila, is an underwater volcanic crater surrounded by cliffs and today has the status of a "
National Marine Reserve". It is the perfect place for diving. Diving into the depths, you will be able to meet about two hundred varieties of coral, some of which are now recovering from the massive attack in 1970 of the starfish "
crown of thorns", which destroyed about 90 percent of the corals.
4. Unique nature and rare birds
One of the great sites where you will witness the unique exotic nature is the
National Nature Reserve. Here the relict vegetation and its inhabitants, which are on the verge of extinction, are protected. You can visit the reserve only with a special license and only if you follow a certain set of rules.
In the American Samoa National Park, the main natural celebrity of Tau (
Manua Island), the tropics' dense vegetation attracts attention, and here you will also get a chance to see amazing strange parrots.
Tafuna is a nature reserve where you can watch turtles, dolphins, sharks, and marlin. Tropical fish in this natural reserve also has a sufficient variety, and from August to November, herds of southern humpback whales appear here, which spend their "
winter holidays" here. In the eastern part is the village of Sailele, which has a magnificent beach and a non-dangerous lagoon near the
village of Amouli, which has a favorable position for vacationers on the sea.
5. Kitchen
Here you can treat yourself to a variety of sea delicacies. National
dishes are considered specific, and they use all kinds of sea gifts, fruits of the tropics, a sufficient amount of meat and fish, which are cooked on hot coals.
The main culinary masterpiece is oka, a specific marinade based on coconut milk, lemon juice, onions, and salt. It happens that the ingredients change slightly, but the final
American Samoa dish remains the same. After the marinade for the fish cooked on the coals in furnaces or used in its raw form.
Among other delicacies, be sure to try faiai-fei-octopus cooked in coconut milk; waisa-fish marinated according to the "
oka" method, which is then baked on coals; taisi-moa-chicken, which is fried in banana leaves.
You should also try fish and meat, which are baked in earthen ovens "
umu". The food here is not very spicy.
6. Yachting and golf
The main
place for yachting is Utulei where is the yacht club. There are also golf clubs in the country that can please golf lovers.
Very attractive for travelers who prefer hiking is the
volcanic crater Judds. Walking here can take six hours. It is also planned to open the road to the crater itself so that the tour will be easy, but, on the other hand, the number of adventures for which travelers gather here will be reduced.
8. Climatic conditions
The country has a climate with high temperature and humidity. In the months from November to April, there is precipitation. Also, in the months from December to March typhoons with extremely crushing power are characteristic. However, from May to October, when the temperature reaches the level of +25-27°C, it is considered suitable and most appropriate for
American Samoa tourism.
9. Original crafts
American Samoa people are quite skilled. Because of this, small crafts are common on the islands, the results of which are charming souvenirs and other gifts in memory of the country. In the process of drawing, only natural pigments are used, which means that tourists buy truly eco-friendly, beautiful, and original products.
It is necessary to buy a few souvenirs. These are carpets, baskets, and bags made of the ramp plant's fibers, canoes, hatchets, and bows of citizens for hunting, shells from the coasts, wooden cups for drinking kava, unusual and colorful fabrics made of paper mulberry bark fibers.
10. The charming island of Tutuila
Tutuila is the main island of the country.
It is located in the most significant part of this land area, about 70 kilometers east of Upolu Island and 110 kilometers west of the Manua Island group. Tutuila, which stretches approximately 31 kilometers from southwest to northeast, is formed by the slopes and ridges of several of the
oldest volcanoes. A particularly great volcano is the extinct Matafao volcano. The most picturesque is Pioa, and the oldest is the
Alava volcano. In all directions, mountain ranges run here, far from gentle slopes, overgrown with tropical vegetation, which has many gorges, bays, and bays.
Travel to American Samoa will remain unforgettable and will give you a lot of positive emotions.