Samoa, American Samoa, Tonga at a glance
Key facts on the Independent State of Samoa, the U.S. territory of American Samoa and Tonga:
American Samoa:
GEOGRAPHY: Located about 2,300 miles (3,700 kilometers) southwest of Hawaii and 1,600 miles (2,575 kilometers) northeast of New Zealand. Largest island is Tutuila, home to 95 percent of the territory’s 65,000 population. It is slightly larger than Washington, D.C.
HISTORY: Migrants from Southeast Asia arrived in the Samoan islands more than 2,000 years ago and from there settled the rest of Polynesia to the east. A U.S. territory since 1900 and controlled by the U.S. Navy until 1951.
GOVERNMENT: Territory is administered by the U.S. Department of Interior. Those born in the territory are U.S. nationals, but not citizens. Local government has a Senate, a House of Representatives and an elected governor. Represented by a nonvoting delegate in the U.S. House of Representatives.
ECONOMY: Tourism, tuna canneries and coconut plantations represent the bulk of the country’s $571.6 million GDP in 2008. Majority of the population lives below the poverty line.
Independent State of Samoa:
GEOGRAPHY: Slightly smaller than Rhode Island, Samoa consists of two main islands — Savaii and Upolu — as well as several smaller islands and uninhabited islets. Its population is 219,998. Samoa is about 40 miles (65 kilometers) west of American Samoa.
HISTORY: A German protectorate from 1900 until World War I. Administered by New Zealand until 1962, when it gained independence. Changed its name from Western Samoa to Independent State of Samoa in 1997.
GOVERNMENT: Parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislative assembly. Only chiefs may run for election to the parliament.
ECONOMY: Samoa’s $537 million economy depends on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture and fishing.
Tonga:
GEOGRAPHY: Archipelago of 169 islands located two-thirds of the way between New Zealand and Hawaii.
HISTORY: The word Tonga means “south” in numerous Polynesian languages. Some scholars believe the inhabitants originally came from the islands now known as Samoa.
GOVERNMENT: Constitutional monarchy with unicameral legislative assembly.
ECONOMY: The country’s $258 million economy remains dependent on external aid and remittances from communities overseas. Tourism is the second-largest source of hard currency earnings following remittances.
Sources: American Samoa Historic Preservation Office, American Samoa Government Official Web site, American Samoa Tourism, American Samoa Statistical Yearbook, CIA World Factbook.
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Two more big earthquakes shake Pacific OceanOctober 2nd, 2009 WELLINGTON - Two more large earthquakes -- of magnitude 6.3 and 5.1 -- were recorded in the Pacific Ocean Friday, the US Geological Survey reported. The first quake, which hit at 2.07 pm (0107 GMT) was centred 85 km south-east of Hihifo, Tonga, and 377 km from American Samoa, which was hard hit by tsunamis triggered by a magnitude-8.0 earthquake Tuesday.
Obama says his thoughts are with disaster victims in Samoa, IndonesiaOctober 1st, 2009 Obama offers support for Samoa, IndonesiaWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is voicing his concern and his condolences over the tsunami in the South Pacific and the earthquake in Indonesia. He said there's been a "terrible" loss of life in Samoa and American Samoa as a result of the tsunami that came ashore Tuesday.
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White House issues disaster declaration for American Samoa following deadly tsunamiSeptember 30th, 2009 Disaster declaration issued for American SamoaWASHINGTON — The White House has declared a major disaster in American Samoa following a deadly tsunami. Early reports say towering waves spawned by an earthquake have flattened villages and killed several people in American Samoa.
Small tsunami reach Japan after Samoa earthquakeSeptember 30th, 2009 Small tsunami hit Japan after Samoa quakeTOKYO — Small tsunami waves caused by a powerful earthquake that hit Samoa in the Pacific Ocean reached Japan on Wednesday, officials said. Japan's Meteorological Agency said tsunami waves, which it described as "very weak," were registered off the island of Hachijojima about 10 hours after the quake.
Obama declares major disaster for tsunami-ravaged American Samoa, promises aggressive responseSeptember 30th, 2009 Obama declares major disaster for American SamoaWASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says his deepest sympathies are with the people of American Samoa and Samoa who lost loved ones after an earthquake sent a massive tsunami toward the Pacific islands. Obama has declared a major disaster for American Samoa and says the Federal Emergency Management Agency is working with emergency responders in the region.
Japan issues tsunami warning for broad coastal area after Samoa earthquakeSeptember 30th, 2009 Japan issues tsunami warning along coastTOKYO — Japan's Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning all along its eastern coast after a strong earthquake hit Samoa in the Pacific Ocean. The agency warned Wednesday morning of a possible tsunami up to about 1.6 feet (50 centimeters) tall.
US monitor: Powerful 7.9 quake hits between Samoa and American Samoa; tsunami warning issuedSeptember 30th, 2009 7.9 quake hits South Pacific, tsunami alert issued
APIA, Samoa — The U.S. Geological Survey says a powerful 7.9-magnitude earthquake has struck in the South Pacific between Samoa and American Samoa.
Samoan police say 63 dead in tsunami, fear toll will rise as searches continueSeptember 30th, 2009 Samoa police say 63 dead in tsunami, toll may riseAPIA, Samoa — A police official says 63 people are confirmed dead in Samoa following a tsunami that smashed the southern shore of the South Pacific nation. Samoan police commissioner Lilo Maiava told The Associated Press that police have confirmed 63 deaths, and officials are still searching the devastated areas, so the number of deaths might rise soon.
CBS' 'Survivor' production in Samoa not affected by Pacific Ocean earthquake, tsunamiSeptember 30th, 2009 'Survivor' not harmed by Pacific quake, tsunamiLOS ANGELES — "Survivor" is safe in Samoa. A spokeswoman for the CBS reality show says no crew members were harmed by the powerful earthquake that struck the South Pacific between Samoa and American Samoa around dawn Tuesday, sending large tsunami waves ashore.
Tsunami hits American Samoa, no injuries reportedSeptember 30th, 2009 Tsunami hits American SamoaPAGO PAGO, American Samoa — A tsunami swept into Pago Pago (Pan-go, pan-go) in American Samoa shortly after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.9 shook the Pacific area. There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.
Tsunami destroys Samoa villages after 8.3 magnitude quakeSeptember 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON/WELLINGTON - An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck off American Samoa Tuesday triggering a three-metre tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii confirmed, demolishing villages on low-lying islands in the Pacific state of Samoa. The quake, originally estimated at a magnitude of 7.9, was upgraded to the level of a "great quake" and aftershocks were continuing, Radio New Zealand reported.
Magnitude 8.3 quake strikes off American SamoaSeptember 29th, 2009 WASHINGTON/WELLINGTON - An 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck off American Samoa Tuesday triggering a three-metre tsunami, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii confirmed. The earthquake's epicentre was located about 204 km southwest of the remote Pacific island and it struck at a depth of 85 km.
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