Country name
conventional long form: Territory of American Samoa
conventional short form: American Samoa
abbreviation: AS

Data code AQ

Dependency status unincorporated and unorganized territory of the US; administered by the Office of Insular Affairs, US Department of the Interior

Government type NA

National capital Pago Pago

Administrative divisions none (territory of the US); there are no first-order administrative divisions as defined by the US Government, but there are three political districts

Independence none (territory of the US)

National holiday Territorial Flag Day, 17 April (1900)

Constitution ratified 1966, in effect 1967

Legal system NA

Suffrage 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
chief of state: President of the US William Jefferson CLINTON (since 20 January 1993) and Vice President Albert GORE, Jr. (since 20 January 1993)
head of government: Governor Tauese P. SUNIA (since 3 January 1997) and Lieutenant Governor Togiola TULAFONO (since 3 January 1997)
cabinet: NA
elections: governor and lieutenant governor elected on the same ticket by popular vote for four-year terms; election last held 3 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000)
election results: Tauese P. SUNIA elected governor of American Samoa; percent of vote - Tauese P. SUNIA (Democrat) 51%, Peter REID (independent) 49%

Legislative branch bicameral Fono or Legislative Assembly consists of the House of Representatives (21 seats - 20 of which are elected by popular vote and 1 is an appointed, nonvoting delegate from Swains Island; members serve two-year terms) and the Senate (18 seats; members are elected from local chiefs who serve four-year terms)
elections: House of Representatives - last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998); Senate - last held 3 November 1996 (next to be held 7 November 2000)
election results: House of Representatives - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA; Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - NA
note: American Samoa elects one delegate to the US House of Representatives; elections last held 5 November 1996 (next to be held NA November 1998); results - Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat) reelected as delegate

Judicial branch High Court, chief justice and associate justices are appointed by the US Secretary of the Interior

Political parties and leaders Democratic Party; Republican Party

International organization participation ESCAP (associate), Interpol (subbureau), IOC, SPC

Diplomatic representation in the US none (territory of the US)

Diplomatic representation from the US none (territory of the US)

Flag description blue with a white triangle edged in red that is based on the outer side and extends to the hoist side; a brown and white American bald eagle flying toward the hoist side is carrying two traditional Samoan symbols of authority, a staff and a war club

NOTE: The information regarding American Samoa on this page is re-published from the 1998 World Fact Book of the United States Central Intelligence Agency. No claims are made regarding the accuracy of American Samoa Government 1998 information contained here. All suggestions for corrections of any errors about American Samoa Government 1998 should be addressed to the CIA.