Population: 177,287 (July 2005 est.)
Capital: Apia
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Religions: Congregationalist 34.8%, Roman Catholic 19.6%, Methodist 15%, Latter-Day Saints 12.7%, Assembly of God 6.6%,
Seventh-Day Adventist 3.5%, other Christian 4.5%, Worship Centre 1.3%, other 1.7%, unspecified 0.1% (2001 census)
Government: mix of
parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy
Climate: tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to
October)
Terrain: two main
islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged
mountains in interior
Geography: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia
Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%
Economy: The economy of Samoa has traditionally
been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, agriculture, and fishing. The country is vulnerable to
devastating storms. Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream,
coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. The decline of fish stocks in the
area is a continuing problem. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 25% of GDP; about 88,000 tourists visited the
islands in 2001. One factory in the Foreign Trade Zone employs 3,000 people to make automobile electrical harnesses for an
assembly plant in Australia. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of
investment, and continued fiscal discipline, meantime protecting the environment. Observers point to the flexibility of the
labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, the
external debt is stable, and inflation is low.
GDP per capita: purchasing power parity - $5,600 (2002 est.)
GDP real growth: 5% (2002 est.)
Unemployment rate: NA; note - substantial underemployment
Internet country code: .ws
Dial code: +685
New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western
Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust
territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The
country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.