Aunuu is just off the easternmost tip of the island of Tutuila. According to the National Park of American Samoa, Aunuu is the smallest of the inhabited American Samoan islands, with approximately 0.6 square miles of land mass. Aunuu Island has only one small village, and according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, had an approximate population of about 476 persons.
Ofu is one of three islands that make up the Manua Island group; a collection of communally owned islands that is said to have been the birthplace of Samoa and its people. Ofu is a volcanic island with a population, according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, of about 289 people, most of which subsist on agriculture. The island itself consists of nearly 2.9 square miles of sharp sloping mountains, rainforests, coral reefs and sandy beaches.
The island of Olosega is also part of the Manua Island group and is in fact connected by an underwater land bridge to Ofu Island. Olosega is the smaller of the two islands, with just over 2 square miles of landmass, and according to the 2000 U.S. Census Bureau, Olosega has a slightly smaller population of 216 persons.
Tau is the largest of the Manua Island group islands, with 17.6 square miles of land mass. Lata Mountain, one of Tau's many land formations is, according to the National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa's tallest peak, at 3,170 feet above sea level. There were 380 people residing on Tau Island according to the 2000 U.S. Census, most of whom subsist on coconut exports. Tau Island attracts many visitors to its tropical cloud forest, which is unique only to the Tau and Olosega Islands of American Samoa.
Tutuila has the largest landmass of all the American Samoan Islands, at just under 55 square miles, and is the most eco-diverse. Tutuila Island is composed of mangrove forests, mangrove lagoons, swamps, various streams, juniper, willow, mahogany and persimmon trees, lowland rain forests and an assortment of unique species of flowers and plants, such as the syzygium and the rare Elatostema tutuilense. According to the 2000 U.S. Census, there were 55,876 people residing on Tutuila Island, most of whom subsist on fishing and agriculture.
