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Introduction
American Samoa (in English: American Samoa; in Samoan: Sāmoa Amelika) is a territory U.S located in the Polynesia. It is located west of the Cook islands, north of the island of Tonga, south of Tokelau and east of Samoa State. It comprises five islands, the easternmost and smallest of the Samoan archipelago, and two coral atolls. Much of the territory is part of a national park.
Understand
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. Citizens of American Samoa are "citizens" of the United States and not "citizens" of the United States, but are allowed to travel freely between American Samoa and the mainland of the United States. They are not required to obtain green cards or visas to stay or work in the United States, and they are allowed to serve in the United States armed forces (and often do). There are a few ways that American Samoa's special status as an unincorporated territory has interesting legal consequences. The Constitution of the United States is not necessarily the supreme law of the land in American Samoa, and the cultural norms of Samoa, particularly those related to property ownership and public manifestations of religion, actually prevail over certain American constitutional rights either. established in American Samoa.
The main city is Pago Pago and the smaller Fagatogo is constitutionally designated the seat of government. The governor's office is in the town of Utulei, on the opposite side of Fagatogo from Pago Pago.
The islands are frequently known as Samoa, which is the name of a separate island and an independent country, which used to be known as Western samoa , which is located about 100 km west of American Samoa. Also the entire group of islands, including Samoa, is often identified as the islands of Samoa.
Established as early as 1000 BC. By Polynesian navigators, European explorers arrived in Samoa in the 18th century. International rivalries in the second half of the 19th century were resolved by an 1899 treaty in which Germany (later Great Britain) and the United States divided the Samoa archipelago. The United States formally occupied its portion, a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent port of Pago Pago in the following year.
American Samoa is hot, humid, and rainy year-round, but there is a long, wet summer season (October - May) and a slightly cooler, drier season (June - September). Total annual rainfall is 125 inches (3,200 mm) at the Tafuna airport and more than 200 inches in mountainous areas. Such rain gave the English writer Somerset Maugham the name of his short story "Rain," based in Pago Pago, which was later made into a play and film.
90% of the land in the island group is communally owned. Economic activity is strongly linked to the United States and most of its foreign trade is with the United States. The private sector is dominated by tuna fishing and tuna processing plants, with canned tuna being the main export. Cash transfers from the US government also contribute substantially to the economic well-being of American Samoa. Since the rise of US influence and control, the government of the United States of America has resisted the rise of local independence movements. In the early 20th century, the American Samoa Mau movement was actively suppressed by the US Navy.
The Governor of American Samoa is the head of government and exercises executive power. American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, United States Department of the Interior. Its constitution was ratified in 1966 and came into effect in 1967.
In both American and (independent) Samoa there is a traditional village political system common to all Samoa Islands, the "fa'amatai" and the "fa'asamoa" interact across current international borders. The Fa'asamoa represents the language and customs, and the Fa'amatai the protocols of the "fono" (council) and the main system. The Fa'amatai and the Fono take place at all levels of the Samoan body politic, from the family to the village, and include regional and national affairs.
- American Samoa Visitors Bureau ,Level 1, Suite # 200, Haleck Center (Corner Ottoville Rd and Ili'ili Rd, Ottoville, Pago Pago), ☏[684 699-9805], Fax: 1 684 699-9806, ✉[email protected] .
Regions
| Tutuila | The Island largest and by far the most populous. |
| Ofu | Widely regarded as one of the most impressive beaches in the South Pacific, with its towering peaks dropping dramatically to sparkling white sand beaches, where the only steps other than yours are those of the crabs. |
| Olosega | Connected by a narrow bridge to neighboring Ofu. |
| Ta'u |
| Rose atoll | The Rose Atoll Marine National Monument / Rose Atoll NWR is the southernmost point of the United States and is not open to tourists. The only legal way to get there is as a scientist. |
| Swains Island | A Island Privately owned far north of the other parts of American Samoa and culturally part of Tokelau. There are no tourist facilities. |
To get
Visas
American Samoa is outside of U.S. federal immigration and customs jurisdiction.All visitors (except U.S. citizens and green card holders) to American Samoa require a passport valid for six months or more, a return or one-way ticket and sufficient funds to support your stay. US citizens and green card holders traveling from the US can enter without identification, though still recommended .
However, since American Samoa has an immigration system independent of the United States, United States Green Card holders traveling to American Samoa from another country (i.e. Apia Fagali'i Airport, as it is the only foreign gateway) they still have to present their passports, and if they are not citizens of any American Samoa entry permit exemption country, they still need to acquire an American Samoa entry permit before traveling. The only exception may be passengers in transit to another destination in the US (Apia-Pago Pago-Honolulu), who are allowed to stay in Pago Pago for 24 hours.
Passports that do not require visas
Entry is allowed for 30 days for tourism with a valid passport and proof of travel or local employment. Citizens of countries under Federal visa waiver programIn addition to Canada, they can enter with an "OK to board", issued electronically.
To obtain an "OK to Board", travelers must send a copy of their passport (valid for at least 6 months after their intended departure from American Samoa) and a copy of their roundtrip ticket by email to the Office from the Attorney General of American Samoa, at least 48 hours prior to travel. They must also pay a $ 20 fee, before the trip or upon arrival.
To obtain a business or residency visa or to extend your stay to 60 days, you must visit the Attorney General's office after your arrival.
Passports that require visas
All other international passport holders who intend to visit American Samoa for business or vacation must apply for an entry visa.
To apply for a visa, contact the Attorney General's Office, phone 1 684 633-4163, fax 1 684 633-1838 or American Samoa Immigration 1 684 633-4203 or 1 684 633-4204. There is no online application at this time, so you should contact the Attorney General or Immigration office by phone or fax. However, they usually only tell you to ask the hotel to submit an application on your behalf. Sadie's by the Sea and Trade Winds hotels are specifically mentioned as capable of providing this service. It is not known if other hotels do. The permit costs $ 40
By plane
Hawaiian Airlines planes at Pago Pago International Airport There is one international airport, Pago Pago International Airport (PPG IATA), with a runway length of 2,750 m (9,000 ft). This is also known as Tafuna Airport (or Tafuna International Airport) and is located in Tafuna 5 km (3 ml) southwest of the central business district of Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila
- Hawaiian airlines operates 2 return flights per week from Honolulu with Boeing 767 aircraft.
- Polynesian Airlines operates services to Pago Pago from Maota airport (MXS IATA ) on Savaii Island in Samoa (independent).
- Inter Island Airways operates services to Pago Pago and Ta'ū Island Fitiuta Airport ( FTI IATA ) from Faleolo International Airport ( APW IATA ) in Samoa (independent). The airline has announced that it will begin flights from American Samoa to Tonga and Fiji in 2011.
Faleolo International Airport ( APW IATA ) also serves as an international gateway to the region. That airport is 40 km (25 miles) west of Apia, the capital of (independent) Samoa. Daily inter-island flights between Samoas are operated by Inter Island Airways and Polynesian Airlines. Samoa is located in the western part of the archipelago of the Samoan Islands.
Faleolo Airport in nearby Samoa has more extensive international connections including Air New Zealand to Auckland in New Zealand, Fiji Airways to Honolulu USA and Nadi in Fiji, Inter Island Airways to Ofu, Pago Pago, Tau in American Samoa, Polynesian Airlines to Maota in Samoa and Pago Pago in American Samoa, Tongatapu in Tonga, Polynesian Blue (operated by Pacific Blue) to Auckland in New Zealand, Brisbane and Sydney in Australia.
The 2 airlines that operate international services between Pago Pago and Apia, Samoa, offer scheduled daily flights.
- Inter Island Airways ,☏[684 699-7100], ✉ [[1]] .Operate 19-seater Dornier 228 and 30-seater Dornier 328 aircraft. Edit
- Samoa Airways .It operates a 19-seater Twin Otter aircraft. Edit
Boat
The island of Tutuila has the international port of Pago Pago. This port is served by several passengers who transport cruise ships and cargo ships.
Travel
By plane
Inter Island Airways is the only airline that provides daily domestic air services between Pago Pago and Manu'a Island of Tau.
- The flight time between Pago Pago and the Manu'a Islands is approximately 30-40 min. Inter Island Airways will generally add additional flights as needed. Inter Island Vacations offers reservations and bookings on Inter Island Airways flights.
Fitiuta airport ( FTI IATA ), (FAA COVER: QUESTIONS MORE FREQUENTLY ), 975 x 23 m (3,200 x 75 ft) is a public-use airport in the town of Fiti'uta in the northeast part of the island of Ta'ū.
- Inter Island Airways operates flights between Fitiuta Airport on Ta'ū Island and Apia (Faleolo International Airport ( APW IATA ) in Samoa (independent)). Upon arrival at Ta'u airport, local residents with boats are available to take visitors to the islands of Ofu and Olosega.
Ofu airport ( OFU IATA ) has a public airport 2 km (1.2 miles) southeast of Ofu village on Ofu Island that does not have a commercial airline.
- Inter Island Airways operates flights to the island of Ta'ū
Tau airport ( TAV IATA ) 661 x 30 m (2,170 x 100 ft) is a private airport for private use 2 km (1 mile) southeast of the village of Ta'ū in the northwest corner of the island of Ta'ū. It is not normally used for scheduled services.
Rose Island (Rose Atoll) and Swains Island do not have an airport.
By car
Several car rental facilities are available in or near the Tutuila airport. In Tutuila there are taxis available at the airport and near the market in Fagatogo.
By bus
The island of Tutuila has good public transport (frequent, but not scheduled) through "aiga" or "family" buses. For 50 cents on the dollar it can be taken around the port of Pago Pago and to the most remote parts of the island. Buses originate and end at the market in Fagatogo, the town next to Pago Pago. Roads are generally too narrow and traffic too busy for bicycles.
Call an aiga bus with a wave of your hand. Many Samoans wear a quarter or two in their ears for the bus fare since the wraparound skirts ( lavalava ) do not have pockets. When you want to get out, tap the window several times and the bus will stop and pay the driver by throwing your fare (a quarter to a dollar, depending on the route and distance traveled) on the dashboard as you exit.
Boat
A weekly ferry service is offered from Pago Pago to the Manu'a Islands on a government-operated excursion boat. This service travels through Tutuila, calling the north coast towns of Afono, Vatia and Fagasa.
To buy
Money
| Exchange rates for US dollars As of June 23, 2020:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available at XE.com |
American Samoa uses the American dollar (" $ , ISO code currency: USD ). It is divided into 100 cents.
Shopping
American Samoa has many locally run shops and kiosks with goods ranging from handmade clothing to traditional wooden weapons.
Eat and drink
To eat
Tutuila has a wide variety of places to eat, from family-friendly fast food stops to great restaurants. The outer islands have much less variety. The restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, including American, Chinese, Japanese, Italian, and Polynesian.
Signature / national dishes include Palusami, Lu'au, and Supoesi.
To drink
Kava to It is often considered the national drink. The drink is made from the roots of the pepper plant ( Piper methysticum ). Kava is known for its gentle and relaxing effects. Many people drink kava because it is a natural alternative to alcohol and anti-anxiety / antidepressant medications.
external links
Wikipedia has an article on American Samoa.w: American Samoa
Wikimedia Commons houses multimedia content about American Samoa. Commons
