The capital city of American Samoa, a group of islands in the South Pacific, is Pago Pago. It lies on Tutuila, the territory's main island, at the head of a deeply sheltered natural harbor.
Pago Pago became the administrative capital in 1899, when the United States took control of Tutuila and nearby islands. The harbor's strategic location and protected waters attracted American naval interest in the nineteenth century, first as a potential coaling station and later as a base and port. Today, the town and its surrounding villages form the territory's main commercial and transportation center.
A common mix-up is Fagatogo, which is the downtown and official seat of American Samoa's territorial government, including the Fono legislature. Utulei contains the executive offices and Government House. Even with these administrative distinctions, Pago Pago remains the recognized capital. The name is pronounced approximately “Pahng-oh Pahng-oh” in Samoan because the written letter g represents an “ng” sound.