Samoa Overview

Country Profile

The Independent State of Samoa is often referred to as the “heart of Polynesia” and covers an area of 2,934 square kilometers. It has a population of 178,000, most of who are ethnically Polynesian. The majority of the population profess to being Christian, and the official language is Samoan, although English is widely spoken. The currency is the Tara and Apia is the capital.

Samoa National Flag

The Samoan flag is predominantly red, with a small blue rectangle in the upper left had corner, containing five white five-pointed stars. Red symbolizes courage, white symbolizes purity, blue symbolizes freedom, and the five stars represent the Southern Cross.

History Summary

Samoa was inhabited as early as 3000 years ago. About 1000 years ago it conquered the Kingdom of Tonga, with the latter establishing an independent kingdom in 1250. In 1722, the Dutch discovered Samoa, and in the 19th century the British, Americans and Germans also occupied it. In 1899, the German colony of Samoa became East Samoa, ruled by the United States. Upon the outbreak of World War II, New Zealand declared war on Germany and seized occupation of Samoa. “World War”, the United Nations will pay New Zealand Management Sa. In 1954, an internal self-government was introduced, and on January 1, 1962, independence was declared, and the Independent State of Western Samoa established. In July, 1997, it became formally known as the Independent State of Samoa.

Economy and Culture Overview

The major crops produced are coconut, cocoa, taro, bananas, and breadfruit. Tourism is the main pillar of the economy and the largest source of foreign exchange. Samoa has the most unique scenery with a wind tunnel that is a naturally formed volcanic beach hole, connected with to the bottom of an undersea cave. During high tide, the tide from the rocks beneath the channel pours into holes and emits from them a spectacular 80 meter water column. This wind tunnel can produce more than 20 columns in a row, a truly amazing sight.

Samoan houses don’t have walls, and are instead surrounded by drapes, with a roof of dry sugar cane. Residents adorn their skin with tattoos, which is a symbol of social status, and people of high social status generally wear them all over their body, from neck to ankle.

The capital city, Apia, is very like the rest of the country.. HOS flats are mostly “Pavilion” style, and quite idyllic. The city’s beach boulevard was extended 5 kilometers, and is the city’s main thoroughfare and also the site of the business district.

Samoa Map