What are the Differences Between Samoa and American Samoa?
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Most people have heard of Samoa at this point. Many may not be able to point it out on the map but they know it’s an island in the South Pacific. Few people, even fewer Americans, know there is also a territory of the United States called American Samoa located nearby. They are cut from the same cloth but to the casual visitor they are quite different. So what are the differences between Samoa and American Samoa?
The differences between Samoa and American Samoa are subtle but many and start right there. Samoa (pronounced Saa-Moh-uh) is an independent nation made up of 2 main islands, Upolu and Savaii and several smaller and uninhabited islands. American Samoa is one main island with a few smaller islands that is an overseas territory of the United States.
Like the other overseas territories of the United States like Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands: American Samoa and its citizens are granted certain privileges like serving in the military but not others like voting in the Presidential election.
The capital of American Samoa is Pago Pago (pronounced Pango Pango). The capital of Samoa is called Apia (Ah-Pee-Uh). The 2 are similar in that they are on a bay and have a little bit of congestion from traffic. They are different in that Pago Pago is much more spread out and more difficult to walk around; there is basically only one road. Plus much of it smells like rotten fish from the Starkist Cannery right in town. Apia is pleasant enough but not the reason you go to Samoa.
Outside of Apia, Samoa is a dream. There is zero traffic, the roads are perfect and everyone waves when you drive by. Outside of Pago Pago, there is still traffic along the coastal road and when you get up into the mountains the roads are not very good.
While there are many differences between Samoa and American Samoa: beauty is not one of them. Both are tremendously beautiful. Samoa is a natural island that blew me away with its beauty. American Samoa has a gorgeous coastline and interior mountains. The National Park of American Samoa is particularly beautiful and well worth exploring. On both islands you’ll need a car or a driver for sure.
The food in Samoa is outstanding in my opinion. Of course options are somewhat limited given you’re on an island (It’s basically seafood or seafood) but I loved the food. Expect to eat a lot of poke and oka; both tuna based foods. There is also one McDonald’s in Samoa. Granted both my visits to American Samoa have been day trips but I have never been impressed by the food although people say they do Samoan food very well. There are two McDonald’s on American Samoa plus a Carl’s Jr. and some other fast food places.
Samoa has dozens of hotels and resorts of varying cost and luxury. As I illustrated in my week in Samoa post, I have stayed in at least 7 of them and was always impressed. American Samoa is said to have only two places to stay period. I have never personally stayed there but that’s what I was told by my driver.
Obviously Samoa is more geared to tourism and it has many more flight options to the island from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, the United States and others. American Samoa is only accessible from the small airport in Samoa and an expensive weekly Hawaiian Airlines flight from Honolulu. That’s it.
However, the main difference I myself have observed is the people. The people of Samoa are some of the most warm and welcoming people I have ever encountered. Their selfless culture makes you want to be a better person. They have been influenced by the west in some ways but have really maintained their own identity and culture in my eyes. Plus they all love Rugby!
American Samoa has clearly been influenced by its US affiliation not that there’s anything wrong with that. For instance, my driver had a huge New England Patriots flag draped across the kamagra back of his truck. He said many people love football more than Rugby. In fact there have been several American Samoan players in the NFL. Other influences are loud (bad) music and apparently there is a big crystal meth problem on American Samoa. In fact, we were asked if we wanted to buy some “ice”. We didn’t know what that meant and had to look it up. It was just assumed that was why we had come to American Samoa-true story!
So these are just a few of the differences between Samoa and American Samoa. Of course, these are only my observations based on my two separate daytrips to American Samoa and my approximately 2 weeks total in Samoa during my two trips including my recent one.
I really did love Samoa if that’s not obvious to anyone who followed my trip or has read my posts. However, I did not love American Samoa either time I have visited and I likely will not return. But as Samoa has grown quickly and attracts many visitors, American Samoa has some potential with its natural beauty. However, it doesn’t appear that they’re eager to target tourism in the near future. That’s one of the biggest differences between Samoa and American Samoa.
