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American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the North Pacific Ocean.
Answer: False
The source indicates American Samoa is located in the South Pacific Ocean, not the North Pacific Ocean.
To differentiate it from the sovereign nation, American Samoa is commonly referred to as Western Samoa.
Answer: False
To distinguish it from the sovereign nation of Samoa (formerly Western Samoa), American Samoa is sometimes referred to as *Eastern Samoa*.
The main islands constituting American Samoa include Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta'ū, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island.
Answer: True
American Samoa comprises the inhabited volcanic islands of Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, and Ta'ū, along with the uninhabited Rose Atoll and Swains Island.
American Samoa's total land area is significantly larger than Washington, D.C.
Answer: False
The total land area of American Samoa is approximately 77 square miles, which is only slightly larger than Washington, D.C., not significantly larger.
American Samoa is the northernmost territory of the United States.
Answer: False
American Samoa is the southernmost territory of the United States, situated 2,200 miles southwest of Hawaii.
The 2009 earthquake off the coast of American Samoa had a magnitude of 8.1.
Answer: True
A significant earthquake measuring 8.1 in magnitude occurred off the coast of American Samoa on September 28, 2009.
The 2009 tsunami generated by the earthquake caused waves up to 50 feet high on Tutuila.
Answer: False
The tsunami generated by the 2009 earthquake produced waves that reached heights of 15 to 20 feet on Tutuila, not up to 50 feet.
American Samoa experiences a tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons.
Answer: True
American Samoa possesses a tropical climate year-round, characterized by a wet season (December to March) and a dry season (April to September).
The Pago Pago area receives an average annual rainfall of approximately 50 inches (1,270 mm).
Answer: False
The Pago Pago area receives significantly more rainfall, averaging approximately 200 inches (5,100 millimeters) annually due to its mountainous terrain catching trade winds.
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is the smallest marine sanctuary in the U.S.
Answer: False
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is the largest marine sanctuary in the U.S., not the smallest.
The only native mammals found in American Samoa are various species of bats, including the Pacific flying fox.
Answer: True
Megabats, specifically the Pacific flying fox and the Samoa flying fox, are indeed the only native mammals found in American Samoa.
Sixteen bird species found in the Samoan Islands are endemic, meaning they are found nowhere else on Earth.
Answer: True
Sixteen of the Samoan Islands' 34 bird species are endemic, signifying they exist exclusively within this region.
What is American Samoa's geographical location?
Answer: South Pacific Ocean, in the Polynesia region
American Samoa is situated in the Polynesia region of the South Pacific Ocean.
Which of the following is NOT listed as a main inhabited island or atoll constituting American Samoa?
Answer: Savai'i
Savai'i is the largest island of the independent nation of Samoa, not part of American Samoa, which includes Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta'ū, Rose Atoll, and Swains Island.
How does the total land area of American Samoa compare to Washington, D.C.?
Answer: It is slightly larger.
The total land area of American Samoa (approximately 77 square miles) is slightly larger than that of Washington, D.C.
What was the magnitude of the significant earthquake that occurred off the coast of American Samoa in September 2009?
Answer: 8.1
An earthquake measuring 8.1 in magnitude struck off the coast of American Samoa on September 28, 2009.
What was the approximate height of the tsunami waves that struck Tutuila following the 2009 earthquake?
Answer: 15 to 20 feet
The tsunami waves generated by the 2009 earthquake reached approximately 15 to 20 feet high upon striking Tutuila.
What is the significance of the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa?
Answer: It is the largest U.S. marine sanctuary and home to diverse coral species.
The National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa is significant as the largest U.S. marine sanctuary, protecting diverse coral species, including some of the largest and oldest globally.
Which of the following is the only native mammal found in American Samoa?
Answer: The Samoan flying fox
Megabats, including the Pacific flying fox and the Samoa flying fox, are the only native mammals indigenous to American Samoa.
The Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to sight the Samoan Islands in 1722.
Answer: True
The Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen is credited as the first European to sight the Samoan Islands in 1722.
During his 1789 visit, Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse, named Tutuila 'Paradise Island' after a peaceful encounter.
Answer: False
During Lapérouse's 1789 visit to Tutuila, an attack by Samoans resulted in the deaths of several crew members, leading him to name the area Massacre Bay, not 'Paradise Island'.
Missionary work led by John Williams of the London Missionary Society began in the Samoas in 1830.
Answer: True
Missionary efforts in the Samoas commenced in late 1830 under the leadership of John Williams of the London Missionary Society.
American Samoa experienced significant deaths during the 1918 influenza pandemic due to a lack of preparedness.
Answer: False
Due to proactive measures taken by Governor John Martin Poyer, American Samoa successfully avoided significant deaths during the 1918 influenza pandemic, making the statement false.
Who was the first known European explorer to sight the Samoan Islands?
Answer: Jacob Roggeveen
The Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen was the first European documented to have sighted the Samoan Islands in 1722.
What happened during Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse's visit to Tutuila in 1789?
Answer: An attack by Samoans resulted in the deaths of several crew members, including his second in command.
During Lapérouse's visit, an altercation with Samoans led to the deaths of his second in command and several crew members, resulting in the area being named Massacre Bay.
What action did Governor John Martin Poyer take to prevent deaths during the 1918 influenza pandemic?
Answer: He requested quarantine ships from the U.S. mainland.
Governor Poyer proactively requested quarantine ships from the U.S. mainland upon learning of the influenza outbreak, effectively preventing pandemic deaths in American Samoa.
The 1899 Tripartite Convention divided the Samoan Islands, with Germany receiving the eastern islands and the United States the western islands.
Answer: False
The 1899 Tripartite Convention resulted in the eastern islands becoming a U.S. territory (American Samoa) and the western islands becoming German Samoa, contrary to the statement.
The United States formally annexed Tutuila in 1900 and the Manu'a Islands in 1904.
Answer: True
Following the 1899 convention, the United States formally annexed Tutuila in 1900 and the Manu'a Islands in 1904.
Rear Admiral Benjamin Franklin Tilley was the first Governor of American Samoa, serving from 1900 to 1901.
Answer: True
Rear Admiral Benjamin Franklin Tilley served as the inaugural Governor of American Samoa from 1900 to 1901.
Samuelu Ripley led the American Samoa Mau movement, advocating for greater autonomy after World War I.
Answer: True
Samuelu Ripley was a leader of the American Samoa Mau movement, which sought greater autonomy for the territory following World War I.
Swains Island was annexed by the United States in 1925 after the dissolution of the French Protectorate.
Answer: False
Swains Island was annexed by the United States in 1925 through Public Resolution 68–75, following the dissolution of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands Protectorate by the United Kingdom, not a French Protectorate.
The 1949 attempt to incorporate American Samoa via Organic Act 4500 was successful due to the support of Samoan chiefs.
Answer: False
The 1949 attempt to incorporate American Samoa via Organic Act 4500 was defeated, largely due to opposition from Samoan chiefs, not their support.
The American Samoa Fono, the territorial legislature, was established after the defeat of the 1949 Organic Act proposal.
Answer: True
Following the rejection of the 1949 Organic Act proposal, efforts by Samoan chiefs led to the establishment of the American Samoa Fono, the territory's legislative body.
American Samoa is legally classified as a U.S. territory where the U.S. Constitution applies in its entirety.
Answer: False
American Samoa is classified as an unincorporated territory, meaning the U.S. Constitution does not apply in its entirety, contrary to the statement.
According to the Ratification Act of 1929, the President of the United States holds ultimate authority over American Samoa.
Answer: True
The Ratification Act of 1929 explicitly grants the President of the United States ultimate authority over American Samoa, encompassing all civil, judicial, and military powers.
In 1951, President Truman delegated authority over American Samoa to the Secretary of Defense.
Answer: False
In 1951, President Truman delegated authority over American Samoa to the Secretary of the Interior, not the Secretary of Defense.
The Revised Constitution of American Samoa took effect on June 2, 1967.
Answer: False
While promulgated on June 2, 1967, the Revised Constitution of American Samoa became effective on July 1, 1967.
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa are elected by the territorial legislature for a four-year term.
Answer: False
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa are elected by popular vote on the same ticket for a four-year term, not by the territorial legislature.
The President of the United States is the head of state for American Samoa, while the Secretary of the Interior oversees governmental functions.
Answer: True
The President of the United States serves as the head of state for American Samoa, and the Secretary of the Interior oversees the territory's governmental functions.
The American Samoa Senate consists of popularly elected members, while the House of Representatives is composed of chiefs.
Answer: False
The American Samoa Senate is composed of chiefs elected by the islands, while the House of Representatives has popularly elected members.
Individuals born in American Samoa are considered U.S. citizens at birth under the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Answer: False
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, individuals born in American Samoa are classified as U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens at birth.
American Samoan nationals can vote in U.S. federal elections without becoming naturalized citizens.
Answer: False
American Samoan nationals are restricted from voting in U.S. federal elections unless they become naturalized U.S. citizens.
American Samoa follows the same immigration laws as the mainland United States, allowing free entry for U.S. citizens.
Answer: False
American Samoa has its own distinct immigration law, separate from the mainland United States, although U.S. nationals may reside there freely.
How were international disputes over the Samoan Islands resolved in 1899?
Answer: Via the 1899 Tripartite Convention, partitioning the islands between Germany and the U.S.
International rivalries concerning the Samoan Islands were settled through the 1899 Tripartite Convention, which partitioned the archipelago between Germany and the United States.
Who was the first Governor of American Samoa?
Answer: Benjamin Franklin Tilley
Rear Admiral Benjamin Franklin Tilley served as the inaugural Governor of American Samoa from 1900 to 1901.
What happened to Samuelu Ripley, the leader of the American Samoa Mau movement?
Answer: He was exiled and prevented from returning to American Samoa.
Samuelu Ripley, a leader of the Mau movement, was prevented from disembarking upon his return to American Samoa and was subsequently exiled.
Why was the attempt to incorporate American Samoa through the Organic Act 4500 in 1949 defeated?
Answer: Samoan chiefs feared it would undermine their culture and traditional land ownership.
Samoan chiefs largely opposed the 1949 Organic Act proposal, fearing it would erode their cultural practices and traditional land ownership systems.
What legislative body was established in American Samoa following the rejection of the 1949 Organic Act proposal?
Answer: The American Samoa Fono
The American Samoa Fono, the territory's legislative assembly, was established subsequent to the defeat of the 1949 Organic Act incorporation attempt.
According to U.S. law, American Samoa is classified as:
Answer: An unincorporated territory.
U.S. law classifies American Samoa as an unincorporated territory, meaning the U.S. Constitution does not apply in its entirety.
Who holds ultimate civil, judicial, and military authority over American Samoa as per the Ratification Act of 1929?
Answer: The President of the United States
The Ratification Act of 1929 designates the President of the United States as the holder of ultimate civil, judicial, and military authority over American Samoa.
To whom did President Truman delegate authority over American Samoa in 1951?
Answer: Secretary of the Interior
In 1951, President Truman delegated administrative authority over American Samoa to the Secretary of the Interior via Executive Order 10264.
When did the Revised Constitution of American Samoa become effective?
Answer: July 1, 1967
The Revised Constitution of American Samoa, promulgated on June 2, 1967, officially became effective on July 1, 1967.
How are the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa chosen?
Answer: Elected by popular vote on the same ticket
The Governor and Lieutenant Governor of American Samoa are elected together as a ticket through popular vote for a four-year term.
Who serves as the head of state for American Samoa?
Answer: The President of the United States
The President of the United States holds the position of head of state for American Samoa.
Which chamber of the American Samoa Fono consists of 18 members elected by and from the island chiefs?
Answer: The Senate
The Senate of the American Samoa Fono is composed of 18 members who are elected by and from the traditional island chiefs.
What is the citizenship status at birth for individuals born in American Samoa?
Answer: Nationals but not citizens of the U.S.
Individuals born in American Samoa are considered U.S. nationals, not U.S. citizens at birth, according to the Immigration and Nationality Act.
How does American Samoa's immigration law differ from other U.S. jurisdictions?
Answer: It has its own separate immigration law.
Unlike most other U.S. jurisdictions, American Samoa maintains its own distinct immigration law.
The Samoan name for American Samoa, *Amerika Sāmoa*, is believed to mean 'Sacred Center'.
Answer: True
The Samoan name for American Samoa is *Amerika Sāmoa*, and the name 'Samoa' itself is believed to mean 'Holy Center', derived from the Samoan words *sa* (sacred) and *moa* (center).
Following World War II, American Samoans who emigrated to New Zealand primarily adopted rugby, while those emigrating to Hawaii favored American football.
Answer: True
Post-WWII emigration patterns show American Samoans moving to Hawaii and the U.S. mainland adopting American football and baseball, while those emigrating to New Zealand favored rugby.
English was declared the sole official language of American Samoa in 1999.
Answer: False
In 1999, American Samoa officially recognized both Samoan and English as its official languages, not English as the sole language.
Opposition to birthright citizenship in American Samoa stems from concerns about preserving unique cultural and land ownership systems.
Answer: True
Concerns regarding the preservation of unique cultural and land ownership systems are primary drivers behind opposition to birthright citizenship in American Samoa.
Over 90% of land in American Samoa is under individual private ownership.
Answer: False
Over 90% of land in American Samoa is under native communal ownership, not individual private ownership.
American Samoa law permits the transfer of native communal land to individuals with any amount of non-native blood.
Answer: False
American Samoan law prohibits the transfer of native communal land to individuals with any non-native blood, contradicting the statement.
In the 2020 census, over 90% of the population reported having at least partial Samoan ethnicity.
Answer: False
In the 2020 census, 89.4% reported having at least partial Samoan ethnicity, and 83.2% reported solely Samoan ethnicity. The figure for 'at least partial' is just under 90%.
American Samoa is nicknamed the 'Football Islands' due to the high proportion of Samoan males playing in the NFL.
Answer: True
American Samoa is widely known as the 'Football Islands' due to the disproportionately high number of its male residents who play professionally in the National Football League (NFL).
The 'fa'a Samoa' refers to the traditional chief system, while 'fa'a matai' refers to Samoan customs and language.
Answer: False
The 'fa'a Samoa' encompasses Samoan language and customs, while 'fa'a matai' specifically relates to the protocols of the chief system (*matai*) and councils (*fono*).
The 'aiga' in Samoan society is equivalent to the Western nuclear family structure.
Answer: False
The Samoan *'aiga* represents an extended family unit, a fundamental social structure, differing significantly from the Western concept of a nuclear family.
Matai (chiefs) and the fono (council) are responsible for distributing family exchanges and managing communal lands.
Answer: True
The *matai* (chiefs) and the *fono* (council of *matai*) hold significant responsibilities, including the distribution of family exchanges and the management of communal lands.
What is the believed meaning of the Samoan name 'Samoa'?
Answer: Sacred Center
The name 'Samoa' is believed to signify 'Holy Center', derived from the Samoan words *sa* (sacred) and *moa* (center).
How did the popular sports preferences diverge between American Samoans and Samoans emigrating elsewhere after WWII?
Answer: American Samoans adopted American football and baseball, while Samoans in New Zealand favored rugby.
Following WWII, American Samoans emigrating to Hawaii and the U.S. mainland gravitated towards American football and baseball, whereas those migrating to New Zealand predominantly embraced rugby.
When did American Samoa officially recognize both Samoan and English as its official languages?
Answer: 1999
American Samoa officially designated both Samoan and English as its official languages in 1999.
What is a key concern for those opposing birthright citizenship in American Samoa?
Answer: It could lead to the overturning of unique land ownership customs.
Opponents of birthright citizenship in American Samoa express concern that it could jeopardize the territory's unique land ownership customs and political structure.
What percentage of land in American Samoa is under native communal ownership?
Answer: Over 90%
Native land, constituting over 90% of the territory's total landmass, is held under communal ownership by families (*'aiga*).
Under American Samoan law, who is prohibited from owning native communal land?
Answer: Anyone with any non-native blood.
American Samoan law strictly prohibits the transfer of native communal land to any individual possessing any degree of non-native blood.
In the 2020 census, what percentage of American Samoa's population reported solely Samoan ethnicity?
Answer: 83.2%
According to the 2020 census data, 83.2% of American Samoa's population reported solely Samoan ethnicity.
What nickname is given to American Samoa due to the high representation of its people in professional American football?
Answer: The Football Islands
American Samoa is widely known as the 'Football Islands' due to the disproportionately high number of its male residents who play professionally in the National Football League (NFL).
What does the 'fa'a Samoa' represent in American Samoan culture?
Answer: The Samoan language and customs
The term '*fa'a Samoa*' encompasses the traditional Samoan language and customs that are integral to the cultural identity of the territory.
What is the 'aiga' in Samoan society?
Answer: The extended family unit
In Samoan society, the *'aiga* refers to the extended family unit, a fundamental social structure.
Pago Pago Harbor was primarily valued in the late 19th century as a site for agricultural development.
Answer: False
Pago Pago Harbor was primarily valued in the late 19th century as a strategic refueling station for coal-fired shipping and whaling operations, not for agricultural development.
Tuna canning is the primary economic activity in American Samoa, contributing significantly to employment and government revenue.
Answer: True
Tuna canning serves as the principal economic activity in American Samoa, generating substantial employment and revenue for the territorial government.
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 led to the closure of the Chicken of the Sea tuna plant in American Samoa.
Answer: True
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 contributed to increased operational costs, leading to the closure of the Chicken of the Sea tuna plant in 2009.
The U.S. federal government imposes federal income tax on all income generated in American Samoa by its residents.
Answer: False
The U.S. federal government does not impose federal income tax on income generated in American Samoa by its residents, with the exception of U.S. government employment income. The territorial government levies taxes on worldwide income.
American Samoa operates as an independent customs territory with a general import tax of 8%.
Answer: True
American Samoa functions as an independent customs territory, imposing a general import tax of 8%, distinct from U.S. federal customs regulations.
Internet speeds in American Samoa are comparable to those found in most major U.S. cities.
Answer: False
Internet speeds in American Samoa have been characterized as significantly slower than those in most major U.S. cities, often lagging behind even some Eastern European countries.
The maximum speed limit on highways in American Samoa is 55 miles per hour.
Answer: False
The maximum speed limit on highways in American Samoa is 30 miles per hour, not 55 miles per hour.
American Samoa has three airports: the main one on Tutuila, one on Ofu, and one on Ta'ū.
Answer: True
The territory is served by three airports: Pago Pago International Airport on Tutuila, Ofu Airport on Ofu island, and Fitiuta Airport on Ta'ū island.
Samoa Packing, a subsidiary of Chicken of the Sea, closed in 2009 primarily due to increased foreign competition and minimum wage hikes.
Answer: True
Samoa Packing cited increased foreign competition and minimum wage hikes as primary reasons for its closure in 2009.
What strategic importance did Pago Pago Harbor hold in the late 19th century?
Answer: It served as a refueling station for coal-fired shipping and whaling.
Pago Pago Harbor was valued by international vessels in the late 19th century primarily as a crucial refueling station for coal-fired shipping and whaling operations.
Which industry forms the backbone of the American Samoa economy?
Answer: Tuna canning
Tuna canning serves as the principal economic activity and forms the backbone of the American Samoa economy.
What was a major consequence of the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 on American Samoa's tuna industry?
Answer: Closure of the Chicken of the Sea plant and layoffs at StarKist.
The Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2007 led to the closure of the Chicken of the Sea plant and significant layoffs within the tuna industry, including at StarKist.
Does the U.S. federal government levy federal income tax on income earned in American Samoa by residents (excluding U.S. government employment)?
Answer: No, the territorial government taxes worldwide income instead.
The U.S. federal government does not levy federal income tax on income earned by residents in American Samoa, excluding U.S. government employment income. The territorial government assumes this taxation responsibility.
What is the general import tax rate in American Samoa?
Answer: 8%
American Samoa imposes a general import tax rate of 8%.
How has American Samoa's internet speed been characterized in comparison to other regions?
Answer: Slower than several Eastern European countries and barely superior to 1990s dial-up.
Internet speeds in American Samoa have been characterized as slower than those in many Eastern European countries and only marginally better than 1990s dial-up speeds on the U.S. mainland.
What is the maximum legal speed limit on highways in American Samoa?
Answer: 30 mph
The maximum legal speed limit on highways within American Samoa is 30 miles per hour.
Which airport serves as the main airport in American Samoa, located on Tutuila island?
Answer: Pago Pago International Airport
Pago Pago International Airport, situated on Tutuila island, is the primary airport serving American Samoa.
During World War II, U.S. Marines stationed in American Samoa outnumbered the local population and significantly influenced the local culture.
Answer: True
The significant presence of U.S. Marines during World War II, at times outnumbering the local population, exerted a notable influence on American Samoan culture.
Pago Pago International Airport served as a primary recovery site for astronauts during the Apollo 13 mission.
Answer: True
The source material indicates that astronaut crews from Apollo 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17 were recovered near American Samoa and transported to Pago Pago International Airport.
American Samoa is listed by the United Nations as a self-governing territory.
Answer: False
American Samoa is listed by the United Nations among 'non-self-governing territories', a classification that territorial officials dispute, considering themselves self-governing.
Which of the following events significantly impacted American Samoa's culture due to the presence of U.S. military personnel?
Answer: The stationing of U.S. Marines during World War II.
The substantial deployment of U.S. Marines during World War II, whose numbers sometimes exceeded the local population, exerted a significant influence on American Samoan culture.
Which Apollo missions had crews that were recovered near American Samoa and transported to Pago Pago International Airport?
Answer: Apollo 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17
Astronaut crews from Apollo missions 10, 12, 13, 14, and 17 were recovered near American Samoa and subsequently transported to Pago Pago International Airport.