What is the basic unit of American Samoa culture?

The basic unit of the American Samoa culture is the ʻaiga (family). It consists of both immediate and extended family. The matai, or chief, is the head of the ʻaiga. The chief is the custodian of all ʻaiga properties. A village (nuʻu) is made up of several or many ʻaiga with a common or shared interest.

Where is Samoa located?

Centered on 14.3°S 170.7°W, it is 40 miles (64 km) southeast of the island country of Samoa, east of the International Date Line and the Wallis and Futuna Islands, west of the Cook Islands, north of Tonga, and some 310 miles (500 km) south of Tokelau.

How big is American Samoa?

The total land area is 77 square miles (199 km 2), slightly larger than Washington, D.C.; including its territorial waters, the total area is 117,500 square miles (304,000 km 2), about the size of New Zealand. American Samoa has a tropical climate, with 90 percent of its land covered by rainforests.

When was American Samoa acquired?

The United States took possession of American Samoa in the late 19th century, developing it into a major naval outpost; the territory's strategic value was reinforced by the Second World War and subsequent Cold War.

Who is American Samoa famous for?

Boxing: Maselino Masoe, who represented American Samoa in three consecutive Olympics from 1988 to 1996, was WBA middleweight champion from 2004 to 2006. Professional wrestling: Several American Samoan athletes have been very visible in professional wrestling. The Anoaʻi family in particular has had many of its members employed by WWE.

Who was the First Secretary of the Interior in Samoa?

In 1951, with Executive Order 10264, President Harry Truman delegated that authority to the Secretary of the Interior. On June 21, 1963 Paramount Chief Tuli Leʻiato of Fagaʻitua was sworn in and installed as the first Secretary of Samoan Affairs by Governor H. Rex Lee.