Country Guide • Samoa
Samoa is located in the South West Pacific Ocean and consists of two large islands, Upolu and Savaii and seven smaller islands. The two principal islands are separated by the Apolima Strait and are of volcanic origin while the coasts are ringed by coral reefs.
| Official Name | Independent State of Samoa (formerly Western Samoa) |
|---|---|
| Area | 2,842km² (1,097mile²) |
| Population | 178,000 |
| Continent | Australia/Oceania |
| Population per mile² | 157 |
| Capital City | Apia (Upolu Island) |
| Religions | 47% Congregational Christian Church of Western Samoa, 20% Roman Catholic, 20% Methodist |
| Language | Samoan and English |
| Government | Constitutional monarchy |
| Currency | Tala |
| GDP | $1 billion |
| GDP per Head | $5,600 |
| Natural Resources | Hardwood forests, fish, hydropower |
| Land Use | Arable Land 19.43% |
| Agriculture | Bananas, coconuts, taro and yams |
| Industry | Fishing, Light Industry, Timber, Tourism |
| Tourism | Samoa is a kaleidoscope of things to see, from the home of Scottish author of Treasure Island, Robert Louis Stevenson, to the Royal Tombs at Mulinuu.The warm waters of the Pacific Ocean that surround Samoa's islands offer a range of water sport activities, from reef surf (for the real thrill seeker) to game fishing, diving, sea kayaking and snorkelling. For the land lover, have a picnic by a waterfall, hike to extinct volcanic craters or crater lakes, and explore the vast plantations of coconut, bananas and cocoa. The best time to go is in the dry season, between May and October, when the weather is great and the events calendar is full |
| Natural Hazards | Occasional typhoons/hurricanes; active volcanism |
| Health Risks | Tap water should be avoided. No vaccinations are required unless you're arriving from an area infected with yellow fever. Occasional outbreaks of dengue fever rubella and filariasis occur |
| Climate | Samoa has a tropical climate with two seasons. A dry season from May - October and a wet season from November - April. The hottest month is December and the coolest is July. Most rainfall occurs during the wet season and average annual rainfall is 113 inches. Average temperature ranges are from 22°C to 30°C throughout the year |
| Time | GMT/UTC-11 hours |
| National Days | April 25 ANZAC Day. May 13 Mothers-of-Samoa Day. Jun 1 Independence Day. Aug 4 Labour Day. Oct 13 Lotu-a-Tamaiti (Day after White Sunday). Nov 1 Arbor Day |
| Visas | Tourist visas of 30 days are granted on arrival. You must have a valid passport and an onward ticket |
| British Embassy | Embassy Details |
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