This article is about the state. For the archipelago, see Samoan Islands.

(In Detail)

(In Detail)

National motto: Fa'avae i le Atua Samoa (Samoa is founded on God) Official languages Samoan, English Capital Apia
Head of State Malietoa Tanumafili II Prime Minister Tuila'epa Sailele Malielegaoi Area
 - Total
 - % water Ranked 175th
2944 km²
0.3% Population
 - Total
(Jul 2005 Est.)
 - Density Ranked 184th
185,000

60/km² HDI (2003) 0.776 (74th) – medium Independence
 - Date From New Zealand
January 1, 1962 Currency Tala (WST) Time zone UTC -11 National anthem The Banner of Freedom Internet TLD .ws Calling Code 685 Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country comprising a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Previous names were German Samoa from 1900 to 1919, and Western Samoa from 1914 to 1997. It was recognized by the United Nations only on 15 December 1976 (UN members) as Samoa. The entire group was known as Navigators Islands before the 20th century because of the Samoans' excellent seafaring skills. It has a population of 176,710 (2001 census).

History

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Main article: History of Samoa

The first Polynesians to arrive in the Samoan Islands came island-hopping over several generations from Southeast Asia, via Fiji and probably Tonga, more than 3000 years ago and from there settled the rest of Polynesia: first traveling eastward to the Marquesas Islands, and from there southwest, via the Society Islands to New Zealand, southeast to Easter Island, and northward to Hawai'i. Samoa enjoys a rich history, preserved in folklore and myth, of voyages across the ocean, conquests of different islands, and interisland warfare with other West Polynesian polities, mainly the Kingdom of Tonga and certain Fijian chieftainships. Some people believe that a temple on the island of Manono has a record, using a system of stone cairns, that commemorates more than 150 wars. Robert Louis Stevenson, who spent the last four years of his life in Samoa, remarked that "War is Samoa's favourite pastime."

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CIaire (CLAIRE♥) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:27:35 -0000
@theKarenator russell lost survivor samoa ); sadddd.
@theKarenator russell's this dude from survivor samoa. super awesome & evil.
CIaire (CLAIRE♥) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:27:19 -0000
@theKarenator russell's this dude from survivor samoa. super awesome & evil.
Merry Christmas American Samoa, Niue, Samoa, New Caledonia! #merrychristmas #fazastream
danielfarrellnz (Daniel Farrell) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 11:00:21 -0000
Merry Christmas American Samoa, Niue, Samoa, New Caledonia! #merrychristmas #fazastream
In American Samoa, celebrating Chrismas by having a shrimps and beef dinner, and doing the videoke.
drit2001 (Drit Ranola) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:46:06 -0000
In American Samoa, celebrating Chrismas by having a shrimps and beef dinner, and doing the videoke.
Take Action: Menime Paapaa : Samoa http://bit.ly/7TU30X
eduactions (eduactions) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 10:21:57 -0000
Take Action: Menime Paapaa : Samoa http://bit.ly/7TU30X
From American Samoa: "Jerry Bombs" going off like crazy on Christmas Eve.JWad
busycorner (John Wasko) Fri, 25 Dec 2009 09:52:17 -0000
From American Samoa: "Jerry Bombs" going off like crazy on Christmas Eve.JWad

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