American Samoa is one of the finest areas to
visit in the South Pacific Ocean as it lies between Hawaii
and New Zealand. The small islands with a population of
about 65,000 people make up an unincorporated territory of
the USA, and are just southeast of Samoa. The largest of
the islands is Tutuila, and the territory is also made up
of the Manu’a Islands, Swains Island, and Rose Atoll and
are all a part of the Samoan Islands. The capital of
American Samoa is the harbour of Pago Pago, which is in
the eastern section of Tutuila.
The history of the islands indicates people were living there as
far back 1000 BC. However, they weren’t settled by
Europeans until the 18th century rolled around. American
Samoa was also influenced culturally during the Second
World War as many American marines were stationed there
and actually outnumbered the local residents. The American
forces trained young Samoans and they served in various
capacities in the war.
The total area of the territory is just 76.8 square miles and it’s
made up of five volcanic islands along with two coral
atolls. Some of the most popular sites include Ofu, which
has a beautiful white sandy beach and the Fagatele Bay
National Marine Sanctuary, which is a tropical reef that’s
home to a variety of
rainbow-colored tropical fish, as well as sharks, lobsters,
octopus and crabs. The National Park of American Samoa is also
another one of the most-visited areas on the islands as it
features fascinating sea and landscapes and scores of exotic
birds.
You can be assured of decent weather any time you
visit American Samoa as it’s warm and humid. However, it gets
quite a bit of rain, especially between October and May. Getting
there’s not too hard as there’s an international airport at
Tafuna, which is on Tutuila. However, you might not find many
daily flights from all parts of the world. There are regular
domestic flights between islands though.
Once you’re there you can rent a car, as well as take taxis and
buses to get around. The main bus station is located at the
market in Fagatogo, which is the closet village to Pago Pago. If
you’re out in the country, just wave a bus down and it’ll stop
and pick you up. You shouldn’t have much of a problem speaking
with the residents even though Samoan is the native language as
most people also speak or at least understand English.
You won’t go hungry, especially on Tutuila, as it has a good
selection of restaurants from fast-food joints to top class
cuisine. You’ll find some of the most popular foods are Chinese,
American, Italian, Japanese, and Polynesian. Hotels are
available on all of the islands other than Olosega and are
suited to all budgets.
Culturally, most people are of Polynesian ancestry, which means
they love their traditions and customs from the pre-European
era. The villages consist of extended families and are headed up
by a chief who represents the family. It’s a good idea to read
up on some local Samoan customs before visiting to understand
the way of life.
These include always asking permission before using a beach and
taking photos etc. Be aware that Sundays are for church and rest
and some activities may not be allowed. In addition, it’s a good
idea not to eat and drink while hiking through villages.
The islanders love their sports and there are about 30 American
Samoans playing in the NFL and a couple hundred playing in NCAA
Division I college football. Several others have become famous
professional wrestlers over the years. One of these is Dwayne
"The Rock" Johnson, who has also gone on to become a popular
movie star. The residents are also getting into soccer now and
have a national team registered with the world’s governing body
of FIFA.
American Samoa offers excellent beaches, mountains, landscapes, and
villages and is an ideal place to get away from the hustle and
bustle of the big cities.
About
American Samoa