This post is part of the #StateChallenge Meetups from Team USA, run by @Denise_Barlock and @jayasimha78 American Samoa is co-hosted by me! @jayasimha78
Even though I have heard about American Samoa, I had to look it up on Google, to figure out where exactly is American Samoa?
Nick Name: “Football Island”
The reason for this nick name is American Samoa has produced more American Foot ball players than anywhere else in the world!
Here are some more information from American Samoa:
References: Blog post in traveltips.usatoday.com
Quick fact
“About halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand sits American Samoa, a chain of mountainous islands about the size of Washington, D.C. With its beaches, cliffs and coral reefs, this tropical U.S. territory is a beautiful place to live and an ideal tourist destination.”
American Samoa is under United States administration and located in the South Pacific. it is known for its beautiful natural surroundings including beaches and reefs. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs. Many contains mountains and covered in a thick canopy of trees.
Most Samoans are bilingual, speaking Samoan and English
Digital Art of one of the beaches in American Samoa
Geography
"American Samoa lies about 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii and 1,600 miles from New Zealand. It lies 14 degrees south of the equator and 172 meridians west.
Given its central location, it is often called the heart of Polynesia."
History
"Around the year 1000 B.C., the islands were settled by Protopolynesians. First inhabitants migrated from the West via Indonesia, Fiji and Vanuatu. It was discovered in the year 1722 when the Dutch explorer Roggeveen became the first European to explore Samoa.
In 1899, Germany annexed Western Samoa.
The eastern island group came under American administration on April 17, 1900"
Culture
"Most residents of this U.S. territory are Samoans of Polynesian descent. Ancestral traditions tend to be very important to the Samoans. The Samoan way of doing things is known as “fa’asamoa.”
Tribal Leadership
“Samoans live in villages of their extended family, with communal ownership of land under the “matais,” the chiefs of the individual families. Above the group of matais in each village is an “ali’i,” the village’s highest chief.”
Climate
“American Samoa has a tropical marine climate. Its dry season lasts from June to September, and its rainy season from October to May.”
Industries
“Tuna fishing and canning is the primary industry of American Samoa, though its tourism industry is on the rise.”
Agriculture
“Farmers in tropical American Samoa grow a variety of fruits and vegetables, from coconuts to yams.”
Landmarks
- “Tutuila is the largest and most populous island in American Samoa, home to 95 percent of the country’s population.”
- "Pago Pago, the biggest settlement on Tutuila, is known as one of the best natural deepwater harbors in the South Pacific, according to the World Factbook.
- “A hiking trail begins above the harbor and continues along the satellite islet of Aunu’u to a sandy beach on the opposite side of the island. The harbor is the focal point of the main city, which also features bustling markets and facilities for tourists.”
- “American Samoa has several prominent mountain peaks which draw hikers seeking to explore the varied terrain of the islands and enjoy an unmatched panorama at the summit.”
- “The sea cliffs of Ta’u also attract hikers. According to Lonely Planet, they are some of the highest sea cliffs in the world.”
- “The Afono Pass between Maugaloa Ridge and Rainmaker Mountain is a famed scenic spot on Tutuila.”
Transportation
"There are four airports in American Samoa, located on Tutuila, Ofu, Olosega and Ta’u. Hawaiian Air provide flights between Pago Pago and Honolulu; Polynesian Airlines connect to other Pacific Islands, Australia and New Zealand. Inter-Island Airways offers regular flights between Tutuila and Ofu, and Tutuila and Ta’u.
On Tutuila, car rentals and regular local buses are available for travel throughout the island, which is served by a comprehensive road network."
Famous American Samoans
- Dwayne Johnson, actor, professional wrestler
- Junior Seau, American Football Player
As per the nick name, there are several American football players from American Samoa.
Digital Art of one of the beaches in American Samoa