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American Samoa

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A view of Pago Pago Harbor on Tutuila Island; the mouth (entrance) is to the left. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
Located on one side of Pago Pago Harbor, Matafao Peak is one of five great masses of volcanic rock that were extruded as molten magma during the major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila island. Matafao Peak is the highest mountain on the island. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
Located on one side of Pago Pago Harbor, Matafao Peak is one of five great masses of volcanic rock that were extruded as molten magma during the major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila island. Matafao Peak is the highest mountain on the island. Shown is the peak of Matafao Peak. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
One of the seven National Natural Landmarks located on the opposite side of Pago Pago Harbor, Rainmaker Mountain is a great mass of volcanic rocks extruded as molten magma during major episodes of volcanism that created Tutuila island. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
The tensions of World War II prompted the US Government to begin fortifying American Samoa in 1940. US Marines installed the two 5 inch coast defense guns on the west side of Pago Pago Harbor at Blunts Point, and another two on the east side of the harbor at Breakers Point. Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and the capture of Guam shortly thereafter, American Samoa became of critical importance as the only major American base in the western Pacific, and it was further fortified in anticipation of attack. Although no attack ever came, American Samoa was a critical supply and training point for American military actions in the Pacific. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
This view is a classic example of steep cliffs and erosion-resistant outliers formed by wave action on a volcanic land mass. Pola island rises over 125 m (400 ft) straight out of the ocean off Tutuila. A short walk from Vatia village, Pola is an ideal nesting site for many species of seabirds. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
Afono village on the northeast coast of Tutuila is one of that island's more populous villages. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
This colored cloth is an authentic tapa (siapo in Samoan) made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. All of the dyes are made from plants that grow locally. This style of hand painted tapa cloth originated in the early 1920's in the village of Leone. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
An enu basket fish trap. The cleverly constructed woven baskets are baited and buried halfway in shallow water along a sandy shoreline. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
The coconut crab is a species of terrestrial hermit crab that also goes by the name of robber crab or palm thief. It is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world and can weigh up to 4.1 kg (9 lb) and grow to up to 1 m in length from each tip to tip of the leg; it is found on islands across the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific Ocean. And, yes, omnivorous coconut crabs can break open and feed on coconuts, although they prefer softer foods such as fruits, nuts, seeds, and the pith of fallen trees. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
A cardinal honeyeater, named segasega mau'u in Samoan. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
The distinctive Pacific pigeon is quite common in Samoa and subsists mainly on fruits. Photo courtesy of the US National Park Service.
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