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In Samoa there is a constitutional
monarch—currently His Highness Malietoa Tanumafili II—who is
head of state and has the power to dissolve the 49-member legislature (Fono).
The prime minister is head of government. The members of the legislative
assembly, who must have matai titles, are elected for five-year terms. The
voting age is 21.
Economy
Agriculture and fishing are the mainstays of
Samoa's economy. A majority of the population is employed in agriculture,
which also accounts for most of the country's export
earnings. Samoans export coconut oil, coconut cream, taro, cocoa, copra,
bananas, and timber. Tourism is becoming increasingly important as a
source of income. The currency is the tala. Transport
and Communication
Public
transport is fairly widespread throughout Samoa, and boats provide
transport between the islands. Most
people do not own cars and have no need of them; however, heavy traffic is
common in Apia, the capital. Telephones are
common in Apia. Elsewhere in Samoa, telegrams are the most reliable form
of international communication. Television and radio are popular, and
local newspapers are available.
Education
Education is free and compulsory
for eight years, but facilities are limited. While the University of the
South Pacific does have a campus in Samoa, many students go to other
countries for higher education.
Factsheet:
- Location:
Oceania,
group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way
from Hawaii to New Zealand
- Area:
total
area: 2,860 km² land area: 2,850 km² comparative area: slightly smaller
than Rhode Island
- Land
boundries: 0
km
- Coastline:
403
km
- Maritime
Claims: exclusive
economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
- International
disputes: none
- Environment: current
issues: soil erosion natural hazards: occasional typhoons; active
volcanism international agreements: party to - Biodiversity, Climate
Change, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection; signed, but not ratified
- Law of the Sea
-
Land
use: arable
land: 19% permanent crops: 24% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and
woodland: 47% other: 10%
- Irrigated
land: NA
km²
- Natural
resources: hardwood
forests, fish
- Climate:
tropical;
rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October)
- Terrain:
narrow
coastal plain with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in interior
For
more general information
on Samoa, go to: |
