Samoa Country Profile Additional Information
Geography
Samoa is located south of the equator, about halfway between Hawai‘i and New Zealand in the
Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean. The total land area is 2,934 km² (1,133 sq mi), slightly smaller
than the U.S. state of Rhode Island). As the larger and western part of the Samoan Archipelago,
Samoa lies in the south-west Pacific between 13º 25’ and 14º 05’ south of the equator, and between
171º 23’ and 172º 48’ west longitudes. It comprises two main islands, seven smaller islands, and
islets and rocks. Its total land area is about 2,820 sq km, with the two main islands of Upolu and
Savaii containing 1,115 and 1,700 sq km respectively. The capital Apia is located about midway on
the north coast of Upolu, and lies about 130 km from Pago Pago, American Samoa, 3,000 km from
Auckland, New Zealand, and 4,500 km from Sydney, Australia.
The topography of Samoa is rugged and mountainous, with about 40 per cent of Upolu and 50 per
cent of Savaii characterised by steep slopes and descending from volcanic crests. The interior of both
main islands is still covered with montane forests and, in the case of the highest altitudes on Savaii,
cloud forest. These areas also contain volcanic peaks with the Upolu crestal ridge rising to 1,100 m.
Savaii has more and younger volcanic cones with the highest peak reaching 1,848 m at Mt Silisili.
West Savaii and north-west Upolu are almost devoid of surface streams, corresponding to the rain
shadow areas as mentioned below.
The two main islands are well served by ring and cross-island roads. The completion of the current
roads improvement programme should see all the main roads upgraded and tar-sealed. The main
international port is Apia with an inter-island ferry service operating between Mulifanua at north-west
Upolu, and Salelologa at south-east Savaii. The islands are also linked by air service between Faleolo
near Mulifanua on Upolu, and Maota near Salelologa on Savaii. Another airport is located in
northwest Savaii at Asau, which currently caters mainly for chartered flights. The main international
airport is Faleolo. The international airport terminal received a facelift in the late 1990s, an extended
runway and new automated landing system. Improvements are continuing with a computerized asset
management system.
Source: MNRE – State of the Environment Report
Foreign relations
The Samoan Government has a strong interest in regional political and economic issues. Samoa
participated in a first round of negotiations with its Pacific Island neighbours for a regional trade
agreement in August 2000. In January 2009, Samoa opened embassies in China, Kosovo and Japan.
Diplomatic Missions
There are currently 4 embassies in Apia,(not including honorary consulates):
-
Australia
People's Republic of China
New Zealand
United States
And one Mission
European Union (Head Office)
Membership of international groups/organisations:
ACP, ADB, ASOIS, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA,
IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat (non-signatory user), Interpol, IOC, IPU, ITU, ITUC, MIGA,
OPCW, PIF, PTCCC, RAMSI, SPARTECA, SPC, SPREP, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU,
WB, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer).
Population
Samoa has a population of 182,265 of which 92.6% are Samoans, 7% Euronesians (people of mixed,
European and Polynesian ancestors) and 0.4% are Europeans, per the CIA World Factbook. About
three-quarters of the population live on the main island of Upolu. Only the Māori of New Zealand
outnumber Samoans among Polynesian groups.
General Information
Source/Year
Country size
2,831 km2 (174th); 1,093 sq mi
Population
194,320 (July 2012 est.) - comparison to the
World Fact Book
world: 184
2010 - 2011
Population Growth
Rate
0.596% (2012 est.)
World Fact Book
2010 - 2011
GDP per capita
$6,000 (2011 est.) - comparison to the world:
138 (note:data are in 2011 US dollars)
World Fact Book
2010 - 2011
Population under
%
poverty line
HIV prevalence
People living with HIV/AIDS: 12 - HIV/AIDS
deaths: 3
World Fact Book
2010 - 2011
Other Comments
Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō (political districts). These are the traditional eleven districts that
were established well before European arrival. Each district has its own constitutional foundation
(faavae) based on the traditional order of title precedence found in each district's faalupega
(traditional salutations).
The capital village of each district administers and coordinates the affairs of the district and confers
each districts' paramount title, amongst other responsibilities. For example, the District of A'ana has
its capital at Leulumoega. The paramount title of A'ana is the TuiA'ana. The orator group which
confers this title - the Faleiva (House of Nine) - is based at Leulumoega. This is also the same for the
other districts. In the district of Tuamasaga, the paramount title of the district - The Malietoa title - is
conferred by the FaleTuamasaga based in Afega.
Political Districts of Samoa
Nr.
District
Capital
Area
(km²)
Upolu (including minor islands)
Population
(Census 2001)
1 Tuamasaga
Afega
479
83,191
2 A'ana
Leulumoega
193
20,167
3 Aiga-i-le-Tai1)
Mulifanua
27
4,508
4 Atua2)
Lufilufi
413
21,168
5 Va'a-o-Fonoti
Samamea
38
1,666
Savai'i
6 Fa'asaleleaga
Safotulafai
266
12,949
7 Gaga'emauga3)
Saleaula
223
7,108
8 Gaga'ifomauga
Aopo
365
4,770
9 Vaisigano
Asau
178
6,643
10 Satupa'itea
Satupa'itea
127
5,556
11 Palauli
Vailoa
523
8,984
2,831
176,848
Samoa
Apia
1)
including islands Manono, Apolima and Nu'ulopa
2)
including the Aleipata Islands and Nu'usafe'e Island
3)
smaller parts also on Upolu (Salamumu (incl. Salamumu-Utu) and Leauvaa villages)
Useful Information
Source/Year
Time Zone
(GMT +/-)
UTC+13, since 31 December 2011 - Summer (DST) UTC+14
Climate
Description
The climate is equatorial / monsoonal, with an average annual
temperature of 26.5°C (79.7°F), and a rainy season from November
to April.
Currency &
Three letter
Samoan Tala (or Samoan dollar) - WST
www.weather2travel.c
guide".
http://www.weather2tr
guides/index.php?dest
Source/Year
code
Telephone
Dialing Code
685
Driving
Left, since 7 September 2009
Visa
For the majority of Western people, a 60 days permit is delivered at Samoa Immigration D
Requirements arrival - For American Samoan, 31 days - For others, visa must be
& Cost
required at the nearest diplomatic mission
(http://www.samoaimmigration.gov.ws/) – Fees:
http://www.samoaimmigration.gov.ws/Fees/tabid/6837/language/enUS/Default.aspx
Money Parity and Inflation
Year
Exchange Rate (USD = Local Currency)
Rate of Inflation
2012
1 USD = 2.29095 WST
2011
1 USD = 2.38493 WST (April)
4.3% (2011 est.)
2010
1 USD = 2.55754 WST (April)
1% (2010 est.)