Samoa
Webpages concerning "Samoa"
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Wikipedia-Article "Samoa"
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| National motto: Faavae i le Atua Samoa (Samoa is founded on God) | |||||
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| Official languages | Samoan, English | ||||
| Capital | Apia 13°35′S 172°20′W |
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| Head of State | Malietoa Tanumafili II | ||||
| Prime Minister | Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi | ||||
| Area - Total - % water |
Ranked 165th 2944 km² 0.3% |
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| Population - Total (Jul 2004 Est.) - Density |
Ranked 174th 177,714 60/km² |
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| HDI (2003) | 0.776 (74th) – medium | ||||
| Independence - Date |
From New Zealand January 1, 1962 |
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| Currency | tala (WST) | ||||
| Time zone | UTC -11 | ||||
| National anthem | The Banner of Freedom | ||||
| Internet TLD | .ws | ||||
| Calling Code | 685 | ||||
The Independent State of Samoa (conventional long form) or Samoa (conventional short form) is a country comprising a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Previous names are German Samoa from 1900 to 1914 and Western Samoa from 1914 to 1997. It was recognized by UN only 15 December 1976 (UN members) as Samoa. The entire group was known as Navigators' Islands before the 20th century due to the Samoans' excellent seafaring skills.
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History
Main article: History of Samoa
Migrants from Southeast Asia arrived in the Samoan islands more than 4000 years ago and from there settled the rest of Polynesia further to the east. Contact with Europeans began in the early 1700s but did not intensify until the arrival of English missionaries and traders in the 1830s. At the turn of the 20th century, the Samoan islands were split into two sections. The eastern group became territories of the United States, the Tutuila islands in 1900, and officialy Manua in 1905 and today are known as American Samoa. The western islands became known as German Samoa, then Western Samoa after passing from German control to New Zealand in 1914. From then on New Zealand controlled Samoa under Trusteeship through the League of Nations until the 1960's. In 1962 Western Samoa became the first Pacific Island country to regain its independence.
In July 1997, the Constitution was amended to change the country's name from Western Samoa to Samoa. Samoa had been known simply as Samoa in the United Nations since joining the organization in 1976. The neighboring U.S. territory of American Samoa protested at the move, feeling that the change diminished its own Samoan identity. American Samoans still use the terms Western Samoa and Western Samoans to describe the Independent State of Samoa (aka Samoa as written above).
Politics
Main article: Politics of Samoa
System of Government
The 1960 Constitution, which formally came into force with independence, is based on the British pattern of parliamentary democracy, modified to take account of Samoan customs. Samoa's two high chiefs at the time of independence were given lifetime appointments to jointly hold the office of head of state. Malietoa Tanumafili II has held this post alone since the death of his colleague in 1963. His eventual successor will be selected by the legislature for a 5-year term.
The unicameral legislature, named the Fono, contains 49 members serving 5-year terms. Forty-seven are elected from territorial districts by ethnic Samoan districts; the other two are chosen by the nation's non-Samoans on separate electoral rolls. Universal suffrage was extended in 1990, but only chiefs (matai) may stand for election to the Samoan seats. There are more than 25,000 matais in the country, about 5% of whom are women. The prime minister is chosen by a majority in the Fono and is appointed by the chief of state to form a government. The prime minister's choices for the 12 cabinet positions are appointed by the chief of state, subject to the continuing confidence of the Fono.
The judicial system is based on English common law and local customs. The Supreme Court is the court of highest jurisdiction. Its chief justice is appointed by the chief of state upon the recommendation of the prime minister.
Politics
Since 1982, the majority party in the Fono has been the Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP). HRPP leader Tofilau Eti Alesana served as prime minister for nearly all of the period between 1982 and 1998, when he resigned due to health reasons. Tofilau Eti was replaced by his deputy, Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi.
Parliamentary elections were held in March 2001. The Human Rights Protection Party, led by Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi, won 30 of the 49 seats in the current Fono. The Samoa National Development Party, led by Le Mamea Ropati, is the main opposition. Other political parties are the Samoan Progressive Conservative Party, the Samoa All Peoples Party, and the Samoa Liberal Party.
Geography
Main article: Geography of Samoa
Samoa is located east of the international dateline and south of the equator, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific. The Samoas are of volcanic origin and the total land area is 2934 sq km, consisting of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai'i which account for 96% of the total land area, and eight small islets: Manono, Apolima, Nuutele, Nuulua, Namua, Fanuatapu, Nuusafee and Nuulopa. The main island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population and its capital city is Apia. The climate is tropical with the average annual temperature of 26.5°C, and a rainy season from November to April.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Samoa
The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, private family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. 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, noni, and copra. Outside of a large automotive wire harness factory, the manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Tourism is an expanding sector; more than 70,000 tourists visited the islands in 1996. The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances.
Demographics
Main article: Demographics of Samoa
The Fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social systems, and language, which is believed to be the oldest form of Polynesian speech still in existence. Only the Maori of New Zealand outnumber the Samoans among Polynesian groups (though virtually no full-blooded Maori still exist).
98% of Samoans are Christians, divided among many different churches, among them: Congregationalist (34.8%), Roman Catholic (19.6%), Methodist (15%), Latter-Day Saints (12.7%), Assembly of God (6.6%), Seventh-Day Adventist (3.5%), and other Christian (4.5%). Hardly any other religious group exists in Samoa, except for the Bahá'ís, which make up 2% of the population. In addition to King Malietoa Tanumafili II being a Bahá'í, Samoa hosts one of only seven Bahá'í Houses of Worship in the world. Completed in 1984 and dedicated by the king, it is located in Tiapapata, eight km from Apia.
Culture
Main article: Culture of Samoa
- Music of Samoa
- Samoan Cuisine/Recipes
- Samoan Pe'a (tatoo)
- Samoan Cultural Articles
- Language (Grammar and Dictionary of the Samoan Language, with English and Samoan vocabulary)
Miscellaneous topics
- American Samoa
- Communications in Samoa
- Foreign relations of Samoa
- List of cities in Samoa
- List of Notable Samoans
- Military of Samoa
- Public holidays in Samoa
- Transportation in Samoa
References
- Eustis, Nelson. 1979. Aggie Grey of Samoa. Hobby Investments, Adelaide, South Australia. 2nd printing, 1980. ISBN 0-9595609-0-4.
External links
- Map: district subdivision
- ChooHoo! - Online Samoan community featuring forums, chat, blogs, etc.
- Finding Samoa
- Jane's Samoa Home Page
- Samoan Based Contemporary Art
- Map server of Samoa
- Map of Samoa
- Official government Website
- Over 90 categorised profiles of relevant websites on Zeal
- Samoa Chat (news, forums, Samoan language)
- Samoa Tourism Authority
- Samoan Holiday
- Samoa, A Hundred Years Ago And Long Before by George Turner, an eText available from Project Gutenberg
- Informations and Links to Samoa
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In the Federated States of Micronesia: |
Kapingamarangi | Nukuoro |
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Polynesia : American Samoa · Cook Islands · French Polynesia · New Zealand · Niue · Pitcairn · Samoa · Tokelau · Tonga · Tuvalu · Wallis and Futuna |
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Cameroons | German East Africa (Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi) | Kiaochow (Kiautschou) | German New Guinea (Caroline Islands, German Solomon Islands, Mariana Islands, Nauru, Marshall Islands) | German South-West Africa (Namibia) | Samoa | Togoland (Togo) | Tsingtao |
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