Population approximately 183,000 Surface area covers 2,944 square km GDP (2006) approximately $1 Billion GDP Principal export destinations: Australia (65%), US (8%), American Samoa (4%) Principal import destinations: New Zealand (21%), Fiji (20%), Singapore (12%), and Australia (8%) Economy derived from agricultural exports (coconut cream, coconut oil, fish, noni juice, and copra), development aid, family remittances from overseas, and tourism (an expanding sector, aided by the 2005 launch of Polynesian Blue, a joint-venture between the Samoan government and Virgin Airlines)
Other: The Independent state of Samoa consists of two main islands, Savaii and Upolu and two small islands, Apolima and Manono, plus five uninhabited islands. Located on the westerly end of the Samoa Archipelago, it is halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand. The famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson (“The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde”, “Treasure Island”) brought his family to live on Upolu in 1890 and built a large home in the foothills above Apia, where he spent the last five years of his life. Samoans are the largest group of full blooded Polynesians in the world and have retained much of their ancient tradition and culture. Traditional tattooing is an intricate ancient art of Samoa and young Samoan males are tattooed with complex symbols designs, from the lower chest to the knees. Samoan (Polynesian) is the native language, however English is widely spoken. The islands were first settled about 3,000 years ago and are accepted as the heart of the Polynesian culture. In 1768, French navigator Louis de Bougainville sighted Samoa and called them “The Navigator Islands”, because of the many Samoans sailing small canoes far from the sight of land. During the 18th century vast plantation producing copra and cotton were developed for export and the capital, Apia became a major commercial centre in the South Pacific. Annexed by Germany from 1899-1914, and then New Zealand from 1914 (after WW1) until independence in 1962, Western Samoa finally gained self-government in 1962. Beautiful fauna and flora are found on both islands. Savaii particularly, has lush tropical rainforests housing many fascinating and exotic bird species. Attractions include Robert Louis Stevenson’s home in Apia - now a magnificent museum - the Tiavi Falls, the O Le Pupu Pu’e national park, and Papaseea with its carved sliding rocks and pools beneath. Samoa has proved to be one of the last undiscovered frontiers for wonderful, uncrowded diving. With warm, clear waters offering visibility of between 15 and 50 metres and temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celsius, a wet suit is not required.
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