American+Samoa+National+Park

My park is a really big tourist attraction and a really big park.
=__** Location/Size/Distance **__= ==== It is located in the Southwest Pacific Ocean on three volcanoes and mountainous islands clothed in tropical rainforest. The national park preserves and protects tropical rainforests, coral reefs, animals, and the most important Samoan culture. It is located in Pago Pago, AS. ====

MAPQUEST does not tell me how to get there or how long it takes because it is located overseas.
=__** Park Hours **__=

Weekdays at 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
=__** Climate **__= ====In Winter, Spring, Summer,and Fall it's rainy and between 70’s and 90’s.It is hot, wet, and a slightly cooler and drier seasons. Total rainfall is 125 inches at the Tafuna airport and 200 and up inches in mountainous areas.While very destructive, hurricanes are a natural feature of the environment in this part of the Samoas. The most recent ones in Samoa occurred in 1981, 1987, 1990, and 1991.Samoa's weather may seem warm, wet and humid all year, but it has two seasons. Not exactly summer and winter, because Tutuila is a small dot in a vast tropical ocean, so the ocean moderates our weather year- round. The seasons are sometimes referred to as tropical wet and dry periods, although you may wonder, when is it ever dry here? ====

=__** History **__=

====It was used as a city/village for the Asians that came from southwest Asia at first. Then it started getting a Samoan culture and finally it became a tourist attraction. The public law established the park in 1988. The Samoan culture is Polynesia's oldest. We believe that the first people moved to the island over 3000 years ago. Over the centuries, distinct cultural traits emerged that we now call //fa’asamoa//. From Samoa seafaring explorers and settlers journeyed to other Polynesian island groups hundreds of miles away. The Park was established by Congress in Public Law 100-571 on Oct 31, 1988. Public Law 107-336 added the lands on the islands of Ofu and Olosega. ====



=__** Facts **__=

It is a tourist attraction.Comprising areas on the islands of Ofu, Ta’u, and Tutila, the national park system, flying foxes and other tropical wildlife,numerous archeological sites, and a coral reef.It was established in 1988. This chain of 9 in habited Pacific islands is located 14˚ south of the the US Territory of American Samoa and the neighboring independent country of (western) Samoa. The youngest islands in this chain lie towards the east (Ta'u), contrary to an earlier geological report.Endemic species. Species found only in the Samoan Archipelago include one bird (Samoan starling) and about 32% of local plant species. Five flowering plant species are endemic to American Samoa itself. Marine endemics have not been identified, but a thorough investigation has not been conducted.

Threatened or endangered species. Federally listed species here include humpback whales and the green and hawksbill sea turtles. Additional species 'of concern' in the Territory include the sheath- tailed bat, 3 birds (Spotless Crake, Friendly Ground Dove, Many- colore d Fruit Dove), several land snails, and others. Territory of American Samoa. The total land area is 76.1 square miles and includes five volcanic islands (Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta'u) and two remote atolls (Rose, Swains).

Population. Polynesians arrived here about 3,000 years ago. The current population (60,000 in 2002) is growing rapidly at 2.1% per year. Most people (96%) live on Tutuila Island. The ethnic composition is approximately 90% Samoan, 4% Tongan, 2% Caucasian, and 4% others. Topography. The main islands are steep mountains that emerge from the ocean floor about 2- 3 miles below the sea surface. Peak elevations are about 3,100 feet on Ta'u Island (Lata Mountain) and 2,142 feet on Tutuila Island (Matafao Peak). There are many: rats, 3 bird species (2 mynas and bulbuls), feral pigs, dogs, cats, toads, house gecko, tilapia and molly fishes, African snails, about 250 alien species of vascular plants (many of them weed species), and others.

Dangerous species. Few. On land, no poisonous snakes, but a bite from a large 8- inch centipede can be painful. In the ocean, sharks are generally not a problem but stepping on the poisonous spine of a stonefish can be a serious medical emergency although this rarely happens. Consumers of fish should note that ciguatera poisoning has been found (infrequently) in several snappers (locally called mu) and a few other fish species. Also, avoid eating any fish or invertebrate caught in Pago Pago Harbor, because they are contaminated with heavy metals and other pollutants.Tropical diseases. Malaria is not present, but two other mosquito- transmitted diseases can occur here: dengue fever (caused by a virus) and filariasis (elephantiasis, caused by a parasitic nematode worm). However, the chance of getting either by a visitor is slight.

=__Things to see__=

====You might see coral reefs under the sea, or lots and lots of fish, and really beautiful sites of mountains. The Tutila Unit - On Tutila, the park covers the north-central part of the island from the steep ridge of Pago Pago Harbor to the northern coast. From the road to Fagasa one can hike to the top of the 1,610-foot Mount Alava and have sweeping views of the harbor, Rainmaker Mountain, and the north coastline. A roadway to the village of Vatia crosses Afono Pass and has many fine views. Approaching Vatia are excellent views of Pola Island. Along the way the road crosses Amalau Valley, home of many native birds and flying fox. The Ofu, Olosega Unit - The islands of Ofu and Olosega, sixty miles east of Tutuila and accessed by the airport at Ofu, have scenic beaches with spectacular Sunu’itao Peak and Piumafua Mountain backdrops. These islands have good examples of coral reefs in this part of the Pacific, and the best snorkeling waters in the Territory. The Ta'u Unit - On Ta’u, accessed by the airport at Fitiuta, the trail from Saua around Si’u Point leads to the dramatic southern coastline with views of a rocky coast and sea cliffs stairstep to the 3,000 foot summit of Lata Mountain. ====

Things to do
==== You could walk along the beach, or climb mountains, and even sit back relax and take a nice view of the park. Do study the tropical wildlife and coral reef marine habitats, and enjoy the many outstanding island and sea landscapes ==== ==== Go Sightseeing - On Tutuila stop first at the visitor center in Pago Pago. A scenic road leads from Pago Pago to the north coast. Allow a few hours for this drive, including stops. Along the scenic drive there are panoramic views, especially from Afono Pass. As you approach Vatia there are excellent views of Pola Island. Ofu and Olosega have scenic beaches with spectacular backdrops of Sunu’itao Peak and Piumafua Mounta Do go Snorkeling - Ofu and Olosega have good examples of coral reefs in this part of the Pacific, and the best snorkeling waters in the Territory. Bring your own snorkel gear, especially when visiting Ofu and OloseGo Hiking - A hiking trail along the maintenance road leads to the 1,610' summit of Mt. Alava; the trailhead is located at Fagasa Pass, a short drive west of Pago Pago. The hike is 6 miles round trip; allow 3 hours for your hike up and 2 hours for your return to the pass. Ofu and Olosega have extensive stretches of pristine shoreline and fringing reefs, and are the most scenic seascapes in American Samoa. On Ta’u the trail from Saua around Si’u Point leads to the southern coastline of where rocky coast and sea cliffs stairstep to the 3,000 foot summit of Lata Mountain. ====

[|**http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/national-parks/american-samoa-national-park/**]
 * Resources **[|**http://www.nps.gov/npsa/index.htm**]

[|**http://www.american.samoa.national-park.com/weather.htm**]

[|**http://www.factmonster.com/ce6/us/A0803697.html**]