f 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

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 districts and two islands* at the
second order; Eastern, Manu'a, Rose Island*, Swains Island*, Western

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 William Jefferson CLINTON of the US (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: US president and vice president elected on the same
ticket for four-year terms; 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; 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 and serve four-year
terms)
elections: House of Representatives--last held NA November 1998 (next
to be held NA November 2000); 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; election last held 3 November 1998 (next to be held
7 November 2000); results--Eni R. F. H. FALEOMAVAEGA (Democrat)
reelected as delegate for a sixth term

Judicial branch: High Court (chief justice and as