Samoa (Western Samoa until 1997, German Samoa from 1900 to 1914) is a country comprising a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean.

Samoa
coat of arms
(In Detail) (Full size)
National motto: Xxxxx
Official languages Samoan, English
Capital Apia
Capital's coordinates 13° 35' S, 172° 20' W
ChiefMalietoa Tanumafili II
Prime MinisterTuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi
Area
 - Total
 - % water
Ranked 165th
2,944 km²
0.3%
Population
 - Total (2003)
 - Density
Ranked 173rd
178,173
60/km²
Independence
 - date
from New Zealand
January 1, 1962
Currency tala (WST)
Time zoneUTC -11
National anthemThe Banner of Freedom
Internet TLD .ws
Calling Code685

Table of contents
1 History
2 Politics
3 (Subdivisions)
4 Geography
5 Economy
6 Demographics
7 Culture
8 Culture
9 Miscellaneous topics
10 External Links

History

Main article: History of Samoa

Settled as early as 1000 BC, Samoa was "discovered" by European explorers in the 18th century. International rivalries in the latter half of the 19th century were settled by an 1899 treaty in which Germany and the US divided the Samoan archipelago.

Shortly after the outbreak of World War I, in August 1914, New Zealand sent an expeditionary force to seize and occupy German Samoa. This was to stop German Samoa being used a naval refueling base in the Pacific. The German forces on the islands did not surrender, nor did they put up a fight.

German Samoa was renamed Western Samoa, New Zealand continued the occupation of Western Samoa throughout World War I. In 1919, under the Treaty of Versailles, Germany dropped its claims to the islands and they were granted to New Zealand as a mandate.

New Zealand administered Western Samoa under the auspices of the League of Nations and then as a United Nations trusteeship until the country received its independence on January 1, 1962 as Western Samoa, making it the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Samoa

Geography

Main article: Geography of Samoa

Economy

Main article: Economy of Samoa

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Samoa

Culture

Main article: Culture of Samoa

  • Music of Samoa

Culture

Main article: Culture of Samoa

 
Holidays
Date English Name Local Name Remarks
January 1 New Year's Day
The Friday before Easter Sunday Good Friday
First Sunday after the first full moon since the vernal equinoxEaster Sunday
The day after Easter SundayEaster Monday
April 25Anzac Day
Mothers of Samoa Day
Independence Day
Labour Day
Lotu a Tamaitiday after White Sunday
Arbor Day
December 25Christmas Day
December 26Boxing Day

Miscellaneous topics

External Links


Countries of the world  |  Oceania