Facts and stats about American Samoa

American Samoa is classified as an unincorporated territory of the United States in the South Pacific Ocean. It is made up of five principal islands and two coral atolls. The local economy is basically reliant on the United States which receives most of its exports. The prevailing industry is tuna fishing and processing. Cannery exports contribute more than 90 percent to the country’s GDP. The US Government also provides financial aid which forms part of 60 percent of American Samoa revenue. Another primary source of earnings comes from American Samoans employed as contractual workers abroad. As expected, the economic stability in the country is strengthened by the nation’s embracing of different facets of American laws, political systems and currency.

Meanwhile, Governor Lolo Matalasi Moliga has insinuated to his cabinet officials that the territory’s political position and relationship with the United States is something that should be studied carefully. One possibility is for the amendment of the Constitution and considering the possibility of American Samoa to move out of its current status. The last Constitutional Convention was held three years ago and the issue of political status issue was raised by several members during the political conference even if American Samoan political standing was not in the agenda during that time.

A number of proposed changes to the Constitution which were approved during the Convention were turned down during the 2010 general elections. One of the reasons was the fact that revisions were limited to approval or disapproval of said amendments to the Constitution. The Government of Samoa is by and large conservative as well as pro-Western with keen interests in political and economic concerns in the region. It has embassies both in Japan and China while maintaining bilateral relations with Botswana, Cuba, Kosovo, France, New Zealand, and the United States.