Administrative_divisions_of_American_Samoa

Administrative divisions of American Samoa

Administrative divisions of American Samoa

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American Samoa is administratively divided into three districts (Western, Eastern and Manuʻa) and two unorganized atolls (Swains Island and Rose Atoll). The districts are subdivided into 15 counties,[lower-alpha 1] which are composed of 76 villages.[8]

Quick Facts Districts and unorganized atolls of American Samoa, Category ...

For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau counts the three districts and two unorganized atolls as five county equivalents, while treating the actual counties as minor civil divisions.[9]

American Samoa has only one U.S. ZIP code: 96799.[10]

Divisions

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Maps

Counties of American Samoa[lower-alpha 1][8]
Villages of American Samoa[8]

Statistics

The numbers below are from the 2020 census.

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Local government structure

Amata Coleman Radewagen's congressional website said the following about American Samoa's districts:[20]

Each [district] is administered by a district governor who is appointed by the territorial governor. To be qualified as a district governor, an individual must hold a matai title within the district to which he/she is to be appointed.[20]

The U.S. National Park Service says the following about the structure of villages in American Samoa:[21]

In general each village is made up of a group of aiga (extended families) which include as many relatives as can be claimed. Each aiga is headed by a matai (chief) who represents the family on all matters including the village council, or fono. Matais hold title to all assets of the aigas, or families, they represent and are responsible for law enforcement and punishment of infractions occurring in their villages. The fono consists of the matais of all the aiga associated with the village. The highest chief of the matais of all the village aigas is the highest chief or the aliʻi and heads the fono. Also, each village has a pulenuʻu (somewhat like a police chief or mayor) and one or more talking chiefs, tulafale."[21]

Notes

  1. An American Samoan law of 1962 defined 14 counties.[1] The constitution of 1967, signed by delegates from these 14 counties, established 15 counties from then on, separating Fofo from Lealataua.[2] The election law was later revised accordingly,[3][4][5] and the government lists 15 counties, including Fofo with its own chief,[6] representative and senator.[7] The law defining the counties was not revised but the constitution overrides it where inconsistent. However, the U.S. Census Bureau continues to list 14 counties, treating Fofo as part of Lealataua.[8]
  2. The part of Puapua east of Taputimu Road consists of lands that belong to Tualatai families and is part of that county. However, the U.S. Census Bureau includes all of Puapua in Lealataua County.[8]
  3. The 2020 census listed Tafuna village with a land area of 2.36 sq mi (6.11 km2) and all inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District, and an uninhabited land area of 0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2) in Ituʻau county in the Eastern District.[16][17]
  4. The 2020 census listed Nuʻuuli village with a land area of 2.22 sq mi (5.75 km2) and 2,444 inhabitants in Ituʻau county in the Eastern District, and a land area of 0.72 sq mi (1.86 km2) and 2,547 inhabitants in Tualauta county in the Western District.[16][18]
  5. The 2020 census listed Pagai village with a land area of 0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) and 25 inhabitants in Sua county, and a land area of 0.11 sq mi (0.28 km2) and 56 inhabitants in Saʻole county, all in the Eastern District.[16][19]
  6. The 2020 census treated Fofo as part of Lealataua. The numbers in this row are the sums of the villages of Lealataua without Fofo.[13][15]
  7. The 2020 census treated Fofo as part of Lealataua. The numbers in this row are the sums of the villages of Fofo.[13][15]

References

  1. [1]
    5.0102 Division of districts into counties, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  2. [2]
    Revised Constitution of American Samoa, American Samoa Bar Association.
  3. [3]
    2.0202 Districts, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  4. [4]
    2.0302 Districts, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  5. [5]
    6.0102 Definitions, Code Annotated, American Samoa Bar Association.
  6. [6]
    Local Government, American Samoa Government. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020.
  7. [7]
    American Samoa Legislature (Fono), American Samoa Government.
  8. [8]
    118th Congress of the United States, American Samoa, United States Census Bureau.
  9. [9]
    States, Counties, and Statistically Equivalent Entities, United States Census Bureau.
  10. [10]
    American Samoa ZIP Codes, Zip-codes.com.
  11. [11]
    Unlocking the Secrets of Swains Island, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, September 2013.
  12. [12]
    Population of American Samoa: 2010 and 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  13. [13]
    2020 census population of American Samoa: village, United States Census Bureau.
  14. [14]
    American Samoa County Subdivisions – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  15. [15]
    American Samoa Incorporated Places – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau.
  16. [16]
    Total population, Decennial Census of Island Areas, United States Census Bureau.
  17. [17]
    Selection map, census block, Tablulation Block Report for Eastern District, American Samoa – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. The part of Tafuna village in Ituʻau county is census tract 9509, block 3004.
  18. [18]
    Selection map, census block group, American Samoa Block Groups – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. The part of Nuʻuuli village in Tualauta county is census tract 9510, block group 2.
  19. [19]
    Selection map, census block, Tablulation Block Report for Eastern District, American Samoa – TAB20 – Data as of January 1, 2020, United States Census Bureau. The part of Pagai village in Saʻole county is census tract 9502, blocks 2017 and 2018.
  20. [20]
    Our District, American Samoa – A Territory of the United States, Congresswoman Aumua Amata Coleman Radewagen. Accessed October 25, 2023.
  21. [21]
    National Park of American Samoa, History & Culture – People, U.S. National Park Service. Accessed October 25, 2023.
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