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American Samoa Background Information

Settled as early as 1000 B.C., Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago. The US formally occupied its portion - a smaller group of eastern islands with the excellent harbor of Pago Pago - the following year.

American Samoa Quickstats

  • Population: 57,663 (July 2007 est.)
  • Area: 199 sq km
  • Density: 353 /km² (33rd)
  • GDP (total):
  • GDP (per capita):
  • Literacy: 97%

Languages of American Samoa

  • Samoan 90.6%
  • English 2.9%
  • Tongan 2.4%
  • Other Pacific islander 2.1%
  • Other 2%

Useful to know

  • Currency: United States dollar (USD)
  • Dial code: +1 684

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