American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States that is located in the South Pacific Ocean.  It is made up of a handful of islands.  In all, the total area is about the size of Washington, D.C.  There are about 57,000 people who live there.

American Samoa is separate from the nation of Samoa (aka Western Samoa or the Independent State of Samoa), which is located to the west.

The US began occupying American Samoa in 1900.  After WWII, the US Department of the Interior tried to push congress to incorporate the islands.  The plan did not pass.  In 1967 American Samoa passed their own constitution and a Samoan government was formed.  The government was modeled on the US Federal Government, and has an upper and lower house, and an executive branch led by a Governor.

People born in American Samoa are US Nationals, but not US Citizens.  As US Nationals, they cannot vote in Federal elections, but are allowed unrestricted travel in the US Mainland.  They are also authorized to work.  A US National may apply for citizenship like any other non-citizen.

Samoans elect one non-voting delegate in the House of Representatives.  They also send delegates to the Republican and Democrat national conventions.

The economy of American Samoa is limited.  There are 3 roughly equal sized sectors: the public sector, the two tuna canneries (StarKist and Samoa Packing), and all other private enterprise.

A few weeks ago, a tsunami hit American Samoa and neighboring Samoa, killing at least 150 people and wiping out several villages.