World Atlas: Samoa. On this page you can see the map, country flag and many detailed information about the people, history and economy of Samoa.
Here you can find online selected information about the geography, inhabitants, government, economy and history of Samoa. Included are selected statistics, an overview map and the detailed map of Samoa. But let's start with the flag of Samoa here:
Samoa - Overview:
What you should know about Samoa? Let's start with this: 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.
Geography of Samoa
Where on the globe is Samoa? The location of this country is Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. Total area of Samoa is 2,831 sq km, of which 2,821 sq km is land. So this is quite a small country. How could we describe the terrain of the country? This way: two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with volcanic, rugged mountains in interio. The lowest point of Samoa is Pacific Ocean 0 m, the highest point Mount Silisili 1,857 m. And the climate is tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October).
Inhabitants of Samoa
Let's take a look how many people live in Samoa. The number is: 200,108 (July 2017 est.). So not so many people live here. Who lives here? Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4% (2001 census). What are the languages in Samoa? Samoan (Polynesian) (official), English. And the religions: Protestant 57.4% (Congregationalist 31.8%, Methodist 13.7%, Assembly of God 8%, Seventh Day Adventist 3.9%), Roman Catholic 19.4%, Mormon 15.2%, Worship Centre 1.7%, other Christian 5.5%, other 0.7%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.1% (2011 est.). How old are the people in average? 24.4 years. We have to add that this number is the median - so one half of the people is older than this, one half is younger. And what is their life expectancy (at birth)? This: 74 years. Where the people live in Samoa? Here: about three-quarters of the population lives on the island of Upolu. The major urban areas of Samoa are: APIA (capital) 37,000 (2014).
Government and Economy of Samoa
The capital of Samoa is Apia and the government type parliamentary republic. Let's take a look at the administrative divisions - 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano. Regarding the economy of Samoa, important industrial products are food processing, building materials, auto parts. Important agricultural products are coconuts, nonu, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa. The most important export commodities are fish, coconut oil and cream, nonu, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments, bee and the most important export partners are Australia 30.2%, American Samoa 21.7%, Afghanistan 11.2%, NZ 10.1%, US 5.6% (2016). The most important import commodities are machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, foodstuffs and the most important import partners are NZ 23%, Singapore 14%, China 13.5%, US 10.2%, Australia 9.9%, Fiji 6.3%, Japan 5% (2016). How rich is Samoa and how rich are people in this country? The most important number here is GDP per capita (PPP): $5,700 (2017 est.). This is quite a low number. Let's add that this means Gross Domestic Product per person, which is recalculated with respect to the relative cost of local goods and services. And one more important number - population below poverty line: NA%.