Taputimu is a village in southwestern Tutuila Island in American Samoa. It is the nearest village to the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary, although the main access is from the neighboring village of Futiga.[1] It is home to Leala Shoreline National Natural Landmark and Leala Sliding Rock.[2] Leala Sliding Rock is a natural rock formation between Vailoatai and Taputimu, which is a scenic landmark as well as a natural playground or slide. It was created by the ebb and flow of the ocean; the erosion has created a smooth shoreline site.[citation needed] It is located in Tualatai County in the Western District of Tutuila.
Taputimu | |
|---|---|
 Leala Shoreline National Natural Landmark | |
  Taputimu | |
| Coordinates: 14°21′37″S 170°46′23″W / 14.36028°S 170.77306°W | |
| Territory | American Samoa |
| Island | Tutuila Island |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 709 |
Leʻala Shoreline National Natural Landmark is 35 acres (14 ha) and was designated in 1972.[3] Leala Sliding Rock is accessible from Taputimu. Taputimu Tide Pools are located nearby and are accessible for swimming at low tide.[4]
The name of the village, Taputimu, is derived from the Samoan language and translates into English as “Sacred Rain".[5]
Demographics
edit| Year | Population[6] |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 709 |
| 2010 | 841 |
| 2000 | 640 |
| 1990 | 520 |
| 1980 | 434 |
| 1970 | 391 |
| 1960 | 234 |
| 1950 | 212 |
| 1940 | 169 |
| 1930 | 101 |
From 1980 to 1990, Taputimu's population grew from 434 to 520 persons, which represented an annual growth rate of 1.98%. The proportion of inhabitants who were born abroad nearly tripled between 1985 and 1990. About 105 homes were located in the village in 1995. As of 1995, Taputimu was home to five commercial businesses which included four grocery stores.[7]
References
edit- ^ World Conservation Monitoring Centre (1991). IUCN Directory of Protected Areas in Oceania. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Pages 293-294. ISBN 9782831700694.
- ^ Stanley, David (2004). South Pacific. Moon Handbooks. Page 480. ISBN 9781566914116.
- ^ "National Natural Landmarks - National Natural Landmarks (U.S. National Park Service)".
- ^ Clayville, Melinda (2021). Explore American Samoa: The Complete Guide to Tutuila, Aunu'u, and Manu'a Islands. Page 69. ISBN 9798556052970.
- ^ Churchill, W. (1913). "Geographical Nomenclature of American Samoa". Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, 45(3), page 193. Retrieved on December 6, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.2307/199273.
- ^ "American Samoa Statistical Yearbook 2016" (PDF). American Samoa Department of Commerce.
- ^ http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/sam/Pedersen2000vol2AS.pdf (Pages 30-23, 30-25 and 30-26)
14°21′37″S 170°46′23″W / 14.36028°S 170.77306°W
 | This American Samoa location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |