Visited
Plan to visitSamoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country located in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, and several smaller islands. Its capital and largest city is Apia.
Samoa has a population of about 200,000 people, and its official languages are Samoan and English. The majority of the population is Samoan, and Christianity is the dominant religion.
Samoa is known for its beautiful natural scenery, with its pristine beaches, tropical rainforests, and coral reefs. It is also home to a rich cultural heritage, with traditional Samoan music, dance, and art being an integral part of everyday life.
The economy of Samoa is largely based on agriculture, with coconut products, taro, and bananas being the main exports. Tourism is also an important industry, with visitors attracted to the country's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
Samoa is a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislature. It gained independence from New Zealand in 1962 and is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Pacific Islands Forum.
Telephone Code
685
Local Emergency Phone
999
Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.
Climate
Tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Currency (Code)
Tala (SAT)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): I
Major Languages
Samoan (Polynesian), Somoan/English, English
Major Religions
Protestant 54.9%, Roman Catholic 18.8%, Mormon 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim)
Potable Water
Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit
Suggested; in addition, you will need to get a local permit.
Road Driving Side
Left
Tourist Destinations
Palolo Deep National Marine Reserve; Robert Louis Stevenson Museum & Mt Vaea Scenic Walk; Papaseea Sliding Rocks; Piula Cave Pool; Le Pupu-Pue National Park; Lalomanu Beach; To Sua Ocean Trench; Mulivai Cathedral
Major Sports
Rugby, soccer, netball, boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, Kilikiti (similar to cricket)
Cultural Practices
Shoes should be removed when entering a household.
Tipping Guidelines
Tipping is not part of Samoan culture. Locals do not tip. Most tourists leave a little tip to wait staff to show their appreciation. Tipping tour guides and drivers is common. Conventionally, 5-10% of the tour price is a good gratuity.
Souvenirs
Shell, coconut, and mother-of-pearl jewelry and decorative items; bone-, turtle-shell-, and kava-wood-carved items; tapa and embroidered cloth goods; spices and tea; woven baskets
Traditional Cuisine
Panipopo — a dessert consisting of buns baked in a sweet and sticky coconut cream sauce
Geography
Area
total: 2,831 sq km
land: 2,821 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Climate
tropical; rainy season (November to April), dry season (May to October)
Natural resources
hardwood forests, fish, hydropower
People and Society
Population
207,501 (2023 est.)
Ethnic groups
Samoan 96%, Samoan/New Zealander 2%, other 1.9% (2011 est.)
Languages
Samoan (Polynesian) (official) 91.1%, Samoan/English 6.7%, English (official) 0.5%, other 0.2%, unspecified 1.6% (2006 est.)
Religions
Protestant 54.9% (Congregationalist 29%, Methodist 12.4%, Assembly of God 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, other Protestant 2.3%), Roman Catholic 18.8%, Church of Jesus Christ 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim), none 0.2% (2016 est.)
Population growth rate
0.65% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
parliamentary republic
Capital
name: Apia
Economy
Economic overview
ower middle-income Pacific island economy; enormous fishing and agriculture industries; significant remittances; growing offshore financial hub; recently hosted Pacific Games to drive tourism and infrastructure growth
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.211 billion (2021 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$5,500 (2021 est.)
Agricultural products
coconuts, taro, bananas, yams, tropical fruit, pineapples, mangoes/guavas, papayas, roots/tubers nes, pork
Industries
food processing, building materials, auto parts
Exports
$97.774 million (2021 est.)
Exports - partners
American Samoa 21%, United States 13%, New Zealand 12%, Australia 10%, Tokelau 6%, Taiwan 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, fruit juice, coconut oil, beer (2019)
Imports
$430.011 million (2021 est.)
Imports - partners
New Zealand 22%, China 16%, Singapore 13%, United States 10%, Australia 9%, South Korea 8%, Fiji 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, iron products, poultry meats, cars, insulated wiring (2019)
