American (Amerika) Samoa is a group of six Polynesian islands in the South Pacific. Fourteen degrees below the equator, it is the southern-most territory of the United States. It is known as the heart of Polynesia. If you drew a triangle from Hawaii, New Zealand and Tahiti you would find Samoa in the middle. Western Samoa is a neighboring independent country that shares the same culture. American Samoa became an unorganized U.S. territory in 1900.

The Samoas arguably represent the largest population of polynesian people and they take pride in a strong culture that has survived outside incursions amazingly well.

Plan your next vacation here and enjoy the beautiful coastal and mountain scenery, beaches, relaxation, deep-sea fishing, hiking and indigenous culture. These islands are lovely, but their appeal is primarily to those who will be comforted by the constant reminders of the U.S. presence. This is not the place for travelers who want to deeply immerse themselves in traditional Polynesian life.