At a Glance

Official Name: Independent State of Samoa

Continent: Asia

Area: 1,100 square miles (2,850 sq. km)

Population: 179,058

Capital City: Apia

Largest City: Apia (34,260)

Unit of Money: tala

Major Languages: Samoan, English

Literacy: 97%

Land Use: 19% arable land, 24% permanent crops, 47% forests and woodland, 10% other

Natural Resources: Hardwood forests, fish

Government: Constitutional Monarchy

Defense: N/A

The Place

Samoa, called Western Samoa until 1997, is an independent island country in the South Pacific Ocean about 1,700 miles (2,740 kilometers) northeast of New Zealand. With a total land area of 1,100 square miles (2,850 square kilometers), Samoa is one of the world's smallest countries. It has 2 main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, as well as several smaller islands, all formed by volcanic eruption. Samoa's islands are ringed by coral reefs. Shores are lined with coconut palm trees. The rocky, reddish-brown soil near the coasts is planted with bananas; taro, a plant with an edible underground stem; and cacao, a tree whose seeds are used to make chocolate and cocoa. The climate is tropical and humid, but constant southeast winds keep temperatures between 85°F (29°C) and 75°F (24°C). The most pleasant months are between May and September, when temperatures and rainfall are lowest.

The People

Most Samoans are native Polynesians. About 10% of the population is of Samoan and European descent. The people speak Samoan, a Polynesian language, although many Samoans also speak English. Samoan people live in extended family groups called aiga. The aiga elects a matai who serves as head of the family. Many people live in open-sided fale (houses) which have thatched roofs supported by poles. Samoan men usually wear a shirt and a lava-lava, a piece of cloth wrapped around the waist like a skirt. Most women wear a long lava-lava and an upper blouse called a puletasi. Samoans enjoy singing and dancing, which serve as both a form of recreation and a method of handing down history and tradition. About 70% of Samoans are farmers who raise food crops, pigs, chickens, and catch fish for food. Most Samoans raise their own food, build their own houses, and make most of their own clothing. Life expectancy is 70 years.