Jessica Lindsay, age 14, of Montgomery, Ala., for her question:
WHO OWNS THE SAMOA ISLANDS?
Samoa is the name given to a string of volcanic (elands that are located in the central part of the Pacific ocean, just south of the equator. The eastern part is a territory of the United States called American Samoa, while to the west is the independent state of Western Samoa. You pronounce the name with three syllables: aaa MOE ah.
There are 16 Islands in the chain, which stretches out for 330 miles. The largest, called Savaii, is in Western Samoa and it is at the western end of the chain. The eastern limit of the chain is marked by the smallest in the group, Rose Island.
Most of the people who live in Samoa are Polynesians. For the most part they live in small villages and are engaged in agricultural jobs. On small gardens cleared from mountain slopes the people grow bananas, taro, yams and kava, the root that is used to make a tea like drink.
On lower elopes grow groves of breadfruit, coconut palms and trees used for lumber. Also on the flat land are a number of large plantations where bananas, cacao beans and other tropical crops are grown.
Many of the Samoans are fishermen. They also raise livestock such as cattle, pigs and chickens.
All Samoans related by birth or adoption form a group called the (itai) sign. (unital) The head of the (ital) alga (unital) is called the (ital) matai. (unital) All of the matai are members of the village's council and they help direct the community's government. They supervise domestic projects and are responsible for maintaining law and order.
The first foreigners to visit Samoa were traders who were also looking for plantation locations. They backed rival chiefs who were often fighting against each other for power.
Peace finally came to the area in 1899, when a treaty was signed giving Western Samoa to Germany and Eastern Samoa to the united states.
Germany owned and developed Western Samoa until 1914, New Zealand occupied the country during World War I and in 1920 the League of Nations awarded New Zealand a mandate to continue to govern the area.
After World War II, New Zealand administered the area as a trust territory for the United States. On Jan. 1, 1962, Western Samoa became an independent state. The country is now governed by a legislative assembly and a prime minister.
After Eastern Samoa came under the control of the united States, it was administered by the U.S. Navy. The Navy continued to be in charge until 1951, at which time the Department of the interior began controlling the island group.
Since 1960 the people have had limited law making authority.
Pago Pago is the capital and largest town of American Samoa. It is located on Tutuila, American Samoa's largest island. The harbor here is one of the finest in ail the Pacific.