American Samoa: the story on HearLore

American Samoa

American Samoa sits fourteen degrees below the equator, making it the southernmost territory of the United States. The land area covers slightly more than Washington D.C., yet its territorial waters stretch to match New Zealand's size. Five rugged volcanic islands rise from the Pacific Ocean alongside two coral atolls. Tutuila hosts the capital city of Pago Pago and the majority of the population. Ofu, Olosega, Taū, Aunu'u, and Rose Atoll complete the archipelago. Ninety percent of the land remains covered by dense rainforest. Tropical cyclones strike between November and April with regular frequency. The Vailuluu seamount lies east of Taū as an active underwater volcano discovered in 1975. This submerged mountain contains a cone named after the Samoan goddess of war. Nafanua grows inside the summit crater of the seamount. Average daily temperatures stay warm year round due to the tropical climate.

Massacre Bay And Early Explorers

Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen first sighted the Samoan Islands in 1722. He called them the Baumann Islands after one of his captains. Louis-Antoine de Bougainville visited in 1768 and named them Îles des Navigateurs. James Cook recorded island names in 1773 but never set foot on shore. The 1789 visit by Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse ended violently. Twelve crew members including First Officer Paul Antoine Fleuriot de Langle were killed at A'asu Bay. Over one thousand Samoans surrounded the French party during their attempt to obtain water. Lapérouse described the location as more fearful than a lion's lair. He ordered gunners to fire one cannonball at the attackers before retreating. The bay near Aasu remains known today as Massacre Bay. This incident gave Samoa a reputation for savagery that kept Europeans away for four decades. Missionaries finally arrived forty years later to change the narrative.

Where is American Samoa located geographically?

Who first sighted the Samoan Islands and when did this occur?

Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen first sighted the Samoan Islands in 1722. He called them the Baumann Islands after one of his captains.

When was American Samoa officially named as a U.S. territory?

Traditional leaders chose American Samoa as the new territory name in May 1911. Governor William Michael Crose conveyed their sentiments to the Secretary of the Navy on that date.

What are the main economic industries supporting American Samoa today?

Tuna products form the backbone of the American Samoa economy through StarKist cannery operations. Several hundred million dollars worth of canned tuna exports go to the United States annually.

How many islands make up the American Samoa archipelago?

Five rugged volcanic islands rise from the Pacific Ocean alongside two coral atolls. Tutuila hosts the capital city of Pago Pago and the majority of the population while Ofu, Olosega, Taū, Aunu'u, and Rose Atoll complete the group.

American Samoa

Massacre Bay And Early Explorers

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Common questions

Where is American Samoa located geographically?

Who first sighted the Samoan Islands and when did this occur?

When was American Samoa officially named as a U.S. territory?

What are the main economic industries supporting American Samoa today?

How many islands make up the American Samoa archipelago?

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