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New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997.
Population: 196,628
Nationality: noun: Samoan(s), adjective: Samoan.
Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood) 7%, Europeans 0.4%.
Languages: Samoan (Polynesian) (official), English.
Religions: Protestant 57.4% (Congregationalist 31.8%, Methodist 13.7%, Assembly of God 8%, Seventh-Day Adventist 3.9%), Roman Catholic 19.4%, Mormon 15.2%, Worship Centre 1.7%, other Christian 5.5%, other 0.7%, none 0.1%, unspecified 0.1%.
GDP: $ 705 000 000.00 (2013).
No regular military forces; Samoa Police Force. Samoa has no formal defense structure or regular armed forces; informal defense ties exist with NZ, which is required to consider any Samoan request for assistance under the 1962 Treaty of Friendship.
Capital: Apia
Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about half way between Hawaii and New Zealand. Samoa occupies an almost central position within Polynesia.
Geographic coordinates:
13 35 S, 172 20 W.
Area:
total: 2,831 sq km
land: 2,821 sq km
water: 10 sq km
Land boundaries: 0 km.
Coastline: 403 km.
Natural resources: hardwood forests, fish, hydropower.
