Samoa

Samoa /səˈmoʊə/ (help·info), officially the Independent State of Samoa (formerly known as Western Samoa), is a country governing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It was admitted to the United Nations on 15 December 1976.^[3] The entire island group, inclusive of American Samoa, was known as Navigators Islands before the 20th century because of the Samoans' seafaring skills.

Contents

• 1 History
• 2 Politics
• 3 Political districts
• 4 Geography
• 5 Geology
• 6 Economy
  • 6.1 Components of the economy
• 7 Demographics
• 8 Culture
  • 8.1 Sport
• 9 See also
• 10 References
• 11 Further reading
• 12 External links

Malo Sa'oloto Tuto'atasi o Samoa Independent State of Samoa
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: Fa'avae i le Atua Samoa (English: Samoa is founded on God)[1][dead link]
Anthem: The Banner of Freedom
Capital (and largest city)		Apia 13°50′S 171°45′W / 13.833°S 171.75°W / -13.833; -171.75
Official languages		Samoan, English
Demonym		Samoan
Government		Parliamentary republic
-	O le Ao o le Malo (Head of State)	Tufuga Efi
-	Prime Minister	Tuilaepa Aiono Sailele Malielegaoi
Independence		from New Zealand
-	Date	1 January 1962
Area
-	Total	2,831 km2 (174th) 1,093 sq mi
-	Water (%)	0.3%
Population
-	2008 estimate	188,540 (166th)
-	2006 census	179,186
-	Density	65/km2 (134th) 169/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$1.100 billion[2]
-	Per capita	$5,732[2]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$537 million[2]
-	Per capita	$2,797[2]
HDI (2007)		▲0.785 (medium) (77th)
Currency		Tala (WST)
Time zone		(UTC-11)
Drives on the		right
Internet TLD		.ws
Calling code		685