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(opens in new window) 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. Oceania, group of islands in the South
Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand
13 35 S, 172 20 W total: 2,944
sq km tropical; rainy season (November to
April), dry season (May to October) two main islands (Savaii, Upolu) and
several smaller islands and uninhabited islets; narrow coastal plain with
volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior lowest point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
arable land:
21.2% occasional typhoons; active volcanism
soil erosion, deforestation, invasive
species, overfishing occupies an almost central position within
Polynesia 177,714 (July 2004 est.) noun:
Samoan(s) Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of
European and Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4% Christian 99.7% (about one-half of
population associated with the London Missionary Society; includes
Congregational, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day
Adventist) Samoan (Polynesian), English constitutional monarchy under native chief
Apia 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua,
Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga,
Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano 1 January 1962 (from New
Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) based on English common law and local
customs; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental
rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
The economy of Samoa has traditionally
been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and
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. 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. coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee,
cocoa food processing, building materials, auto
parts fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro,
automotive parts, garments, beer Australia 65%, Indonesia 14.6%, US 4.9%
(2003 est.) machinery and equipment, industrial
supplies, foodstuffs New Zealand 21.2%, Fiji 19.1%, Australia
16.5%, Japan 12.7%, US 5.1%, Singapore 4.7% (2003 est.) tala (SAT) 11,800 (2002) 2,700 (2002) general assessment:
adequate total: 790 km
Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa
total: 1
ships (1,000 GRT or over) 7,091 GRT/8,127 DWT 4 (2003 est.) total: 3 total: 1 |
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