2396 UNITED STATES (American Samoa) - The Alao village on Tutuila island

Tutuila is the largest and the main island of American Samoa, in the archipelago of Samoan Islands, and hosts Pago Pago, the capital of this unincorporated territory of the United States. Its land expanse (33 km in length and 5km in width) is about 68% of the total land area of American Samoa and with 56,000 people accounts for 95% of its population. The mountainous regions of the island, its beaches, coral reefs, WWII relics, and the sporting activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling and hiking activities make it attractive to tourists.

The hill range which runs from west to east is rugged and winding with the northern coast line having steep cliffs and unusual coast line. However, the southern part of the island has flatter terrain. Good beaches are located at many places along the shore. Alao is a village on the narrow east coast, located close to the island's easternmost point, just to the north of Aunu'u Island. Alao and Tula villages are the oldest settlements in American Samoa. About the fale, the Samoan houses, I wrote here.

About the stamps
The first stamp, which honors Flannery O’Connor (1925-1964), is part of the series Literary Arts, about which I wrote here.

The second stamp was issued on April 17, 2000 to commemorate 100 years of political affiliation between the United States and American Samoa. In April 1900, local Samoan chiefs ceded the islands of Tutuila and Aunuu to the United States. Illustrated by Herb Kane of Captain Cook, Hawaii, and designed by Howard Paine of Delaplane, Va., the stamp features an 'alia, the traditional double canoe, sailing with an easterly wind near Sunuitao Peak on the island of Ofu.

References
Tutuila - Wikipedia

Sender: Arnold
Sent from Pago Pago (American Samoa / United States), on 01.02.2016