Office of the Secretary

For Immediate Release: April 16, 1997

Contact: John Wright 202/208-6416

The National Park Service is comprised of 374 units, with 54 units

designated as national parks. The National Park of American Samoa

is the 50th chronological park

(American Samoa) Today on the picturesque Islands of American Samoa, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt stood in the village of Vatia located on Tutuila (too too ee la), to dedicate America's 50th National Park. The National Park of American Samoa was authorized in 1988 by Congress to preserve and protect the tropical rainforest ecosystem, flying fox fruit bat habitat, the coral reefs, and the 3,000 year-old Samoan culture and archeological resources.

"Our stewardship commitment extends to preserving for future generations those historic sites and spectacular structures that pay tribute to America’s past and the principles upon which our Nation was founded,” said Babbitt. “The chiefs of this Polynesian paradise have been great stewards of their land for centuries. The dedication of this National Park is a recognition of their outstanding success in preserving their islands and their natural heritage for future generations."

American Samoa is a magical kingdom where spontaneous adventure waits around every corner and each magnificent coral reef. In 1988, the National Park Service began negotiations for land on three islands - with nine Chiefs in village councils. The negotiations resulted in the 10,520 acre national park being located on the islands, Ofu, Ta’u, and Tutuila, with about 420 acres mostly under water.

“Our National Park System is the envy of the world. When Congress passed legislation authorizing your great National Park, it was actually giving the territory an economic tool whose potential has just begun to be tapped,” Babbitt said. “I applaud Governor Sunia for designating 1997 as the Year of the Reef, to promote greater understanding of the plight of coral reefs.”

American Samoa is made up of seven islands with a total land area of 76 square miles. The chain of islands is located 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii and over 4,100 miles southwest of San Francisco. Sydney, Australia is about 2,700 miles further to the southwest, while Auckland, New Zealand is about 1,600 miles southwest. American Samoa is the only United States territory south of the equator.

The seven islands are dispersed over 150 miles of water. Tutuila, the main island, is the center of government and business. Tutuila has a land area of 56 square miles, with an estimated 95 percent of the 56,000 total population living there. The remaining 20 square miles include the islands of Ofu, Olsoega, and Ta’u of the Manu’a group located 60 miles east of Tutuila; Aunu, a small island 1/4 mile off the Eastern shore of Tutuila; Rose Atoll, a wildlife refuge 60 miles east of Manu’a; and Swain’s Island, 200 miles north of Tutuila.

Last April the National Park Service opened a visitor center in the town of Pago Pago and are working with the Governor of American Samoa to develop tourism opportunities. American Samoans are among the last remaining true Polynesians, along with the Hawaiians, Maori, Tongans and Tahitians. Its famous Pago Pago harbor is one of the Pacific’s deepest and most sheltered harbors.

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