Eastern Samoa

A group of islands in the eastern part of the Samoan archipelago: Ofu, Olosega, Tau, Tutuila, Swains, Rose, Aunuu. Total area - 197 sq. km. Population - 30 thousand (1977), mostly Polynesian Samoans. The administrative center is Pago Pago (Tutuila Island). The official language is English. Europeans first appeared on the islands in 1722. Since 1899, Eastern Samoa has been owned by the United States. For more than 50 years, the islands were ruled by American naval power. A large naval base was established at Pago Pago. A movement for self-government unfolded on the islands. Yielding to Samoan demands, the United States formed a legislature in 1948. In 1951, management of Eastern Samoa passed from the Department of the Navy to the US Department of the Interior. In April 1960, a constitution was adopted, according to which there is a legislative body (Fono), consisting of two chambers - the Senate and the House of Representatives. Fono's rights are extremely limited. Until 1976, executive power was exercised by the American governor. As a result of a plebiscite on 31 August 1976, the governor and his deputy are elected by the inhabitants of the islands. The main sectors of the economy are copra and canned fish production. Grows: coconut, taro, breadfruit, yams, bananas, citrus fruits, etc