Samoa vs. American Samoa – What Is The Difference? – Visiting Australia

There are a few nations in the globe that are frequently confused because of how similar their names sound. Samoa and American Samoa are contrasted in this article to show their differences. 

If you’re the type of person who loves to explore and learn about different countries, look no further! This article will provide a comprehensive overview of the distinct differences between Samoa and American Samoa. 

Get ready to take a deep dive into two nations that may seem similar on the surface but have plenty of distinctions just waiting for you to uncover.

What’s the Difference Between Samoa and American Samoa:

Country vs. US Territory

The enormous distinction between American Samoa and Samoa is that the former is an independent nation recognised by the UN. At the same time, the latter is an unknown territory under the control of the United States.

Despite being US “nationals” rather than US “citizens,” American Samoa’s residents can move between the territory and the US mainland.

Upolu and Savai’i, the two largest islands of Samoa, are joined by several smaller, uninhabited islands.

Tutuila, the largest island in American Samoa, is joined by a few smaller islands.

The Samoa Archipelago, which consists mainly of three islands, was formerly known as Western Samoa because of its geographic location.

Where Are They Located?

Samoa and American Samoa are both in the South Pacific, in the Polynesian section of the Pacific Ocean, roughly midway between Hawaii and New Zealand.

American Samoa is located 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Samoa, and Samoa Airlines offers direct flights from Apia to Pago Pago.

The History

Germans and Americans often clashed over the Samoan archipelago at the end of the 19th century.

The Tripartite Agreement, signed in 1899, gave Germany ownership of the western island group, known as Western Samoa until 1997, and America, the eastern island group, now known as American Samoa.

Samoa was invaded and then governed by New Zealand only 20 years later. Western Samoa reclaimed its political independence in 1962, making it the first country of its size in the Pacific.

In 1966, the UN considered a proposal to merge American Samoa with sovereign Samoa, but it was ultimately rejected. As a result, American Samoa remains an unincorporated territory of the United States and is currently governed by a governor appointed by the US federal government.

The Time Difference is Crazy!

The time difference between Samoa and American Samoa is one of the most intriguing facts.

Samoa crossed the International Date Line at the end of December 2022, putting it ahead of American Samoa by 24 hours (or 25 hours during the summer in the southern hemisphere). 

The purpose of this adjustment was to more closely align Samoa’s workweek with that of its trade partners, Australia and New Zealand. Because of its relationship with the USA, American Samoa chose to remain in the same time zone, giving travellers a fantastic chance to fly on schedule.

You may take a Tuesday morning flight from Samoa to American Samoa and arrive there on Monday since you’ll lose a day.

The Flags

The top left-hand corner of Samoa’s flag is a blue canton surrounded by a red field. The five white stars represent the Southern Cross constellation on the canton.

The flag of American Samoa is made up of an upper and lower red-edged white triangle with a dark blue border, which is charged with a bald eagle holding a fly whisk (fue) and a war club (uatogi), two traditional Samoan symbols.

Rugby vs. American Football

Samoa and American Samoa value sports highly, although they do so in different sports. It comes as no surprise that American football is the most played sport in American Samoa.

It’s all about rugby in Samoa. The nation was jubilant in November 2022 when Samoa’s rugby team advanced to the Rugby Final. Samoans were dressed in the colours of Toa Samoa, the national men’s rugby team, and Samoan flags were flying everywhere.

Despite a tremendous effort by Team Samoa, Australia prevailed in the day’s last game.

The Language, Currency, and the Capital

Pago serves as American Samoa’s capital (pronounced Pango Pango). Apia is the name of Samoa’s capital (Ah-Pee-Uh).

Samoan is one of the oldest Polynesian languages, and English is the official language of Samoa and American Samoa.

The Samoan Tala is the country of Samoa’s official currency. The American Dollar is the official currency of American Samoa.

Which One Should You Visit?

The To Sua Trench is Samoa’s most visited landmark. To Sua, a large swimming hole is meant. It is 30 meters deep, and to get to it and take a plunge, you must go down a long, steep staircase.

The National Park of American Samoa, which includes a beach, coral reef, and rain forest, is the main draw on the island nation.

Samoa, in general, attracts more tourists yearly and has a lot to offer them. A beautiful cultural center in Apia offers traditional dance and singing performances four times weekly. You can also see traditional tatau (tattoo) applied there and discover more about cooking using an earth oven.

There are stunning beaches and incredible aquatic life, including enormous clams and waterfalls.