Geography

Physical geography

Situated in the South Pacific, Samoa consists of four populated islands, Upolu and Savaii Manono and Apolima. The volcanic islands, with their narrow coastal plains and rugged mountainous interiors, cover a total land area of 2,830 square kilometres and are surrounded by coral reefs. At 1,857 metres above sea level, Mauga Silisili, on Savai’i, is the country’s highest point.

Climate

The tropical climate has two distinct seasons: the wet season, from December to April, has an average temperature of 29 °C; and the dry season, from May to November, has an average temperature of 22 °C. Rainfall is plentiful but unevenly distributed, averaging from 2,500 to 3,000 millimetres, but reaching as much as 6,875 millimetres on the windward shores. Samoa lies in the cyclone belt, and endures strong winds, especially from November to April.

Environment

The islands are covered by dense rainforests, which are a traditional source of food and medicines for Samoans, but are under threat from logging and farming. Animal life comprises mainly bats and lizards and many species of birds, including the rare tooth-billed pigeon. The reefs surrounding the islands are rich in fish and coral life. Dolphins, whales and porpoises migrate through Samoa’s waters, and turtles are common.

Population

Most of the population of 183,081 live in villages on the coastal plains. The main island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population, with 35,000 living in the capital city of Apia.

People

Culture and identity

Samoa is a traditional society with a distinctive Polynesian cultural heritage. In the villages, land is owned by extended family units called aiga, which are each headed by a matai (chief). The matai of each village meet regularly in the fale fono (meeting house) to discuss and regulate the social, religious and political life. The matai is the oral historian, passing on folklore and family genealogies. Honour and social standing is shared by all members of the aiga. Within the family, giving and receiving tautua (service), fa‘aaloalo (respect) and alofa (love) are crucial in Samoan social relations.

Dancing, singing and music play a big part in Samoan culture. The fiafia was originally a village play or musical presentation performed by a number of villagers. Traditional tattoos still play an important part in today’s Samoa. A traditional male tattoo extends from waist to knee with geometric designs denoting rank and status. Women’s tattoos are not as extensive. Tattoo, from the word tatau, is one of the Polynesian words that has been adopted into English.

Health

The health of Samoans has improved greatly in the past 30 years due to access to improved health services. Most have access to clean water (98%) and access to safe sanitation (91%). The introduction of processed foods into the traditional diet has increased the rate of non-communicable diseases, such as heart disease and high blood pressure, which are leading concerns for the health system. Samoans have a life expectancy of 73 years (female: 76 years, male: 70 years). The infant  mortality rate is 20 in 1,000.

Religion and beliefs

Samoa is largely a Christian country. The Sabbath is strongly observed, and each morning and evening – the recognised prayer time – Sa, is indicated by the ringing of a bell or the sounding of a conch shell. The early Christian missionaries were from the London Missionary Society but many other denominations are now represented.

Food and shelter

A Samoan tradition is for the family to have a Sunday meal prepared in an umu (over-ground oven). This meal is called the To’ona’i and is eaten at the end of church service. Food consists of root vegetables (taro and ta'amu), coconut products and fruits (mango, pawpaw, pineapple, bananas, breadfruit). Today people also eat imported rice, bread and tinned and processed food. Pork, chicken and seafood remain the main meats.

Samoan villages are dominated by the fale fono (meeting house), which has a large high-domed roof, supported by evenly spaced carved posts, with a floor of flat river stones to moderate the temperature. Houses represent wealth and status, with the maota (high chief's house) the largest and most elevated. The tunoa, kitchen, is separated from the house, and the fa'atoaga (garden) is usually located nearby. People traditionally sleep or sit on mats woven from coconut or pandanus leaves. Finely woven mats are also an important indicator of wealth, and are given at weddings, funerals and other public events.

Economy

Wealth and poverty

The economy of Samoa is dependent on overseas aid, money sent home by Samoans abroad, and agriculture and fishing. The economy suffered badly from a tsunami in 2009 and cyclone in 2012. Even though formal unemployment is widespread, most families have access to land for subsistence agriculture, so hunger is not usually a problem.

Education and work

Samoans enjoy a higher standard of education than other Pacific Island countries. Most children attend primary school and 96% progress to secondary school. The adult literacy rate is 99%.

Most people are involved in subsistence agriculture or are employed informally.

Industries and products

There is a small light industry sector in Samoa, consisting of the processing of agricultural products and the production of wire harnesses for motor vehicles. Tourism is an expanding sector, with 129,000 people visiting in 2009.

Trade

In 2011, Samoa exported fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, automotive parts, garments and beer to American Samoa (48%) and Australia (24%). 

It imported machinery and equipment, industrial supplies, oil and food from New Zealand (19%), Singapore (18%), Fiji (17%), China (16%) and Australia (6%).

Government

In 1962, Samoa became the first independent country in the Pacific. Today Samoa is a parliamentary democracy with a unicameral legislative assembly of 49 members elected by citizens aged over 21. Samoa’s constitution and political system are strongly aligned with the Samoan culture and traditional village governance arrangements. The Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP) has been in government since 1982 and was returned again in the general election held in March 2011. Samoa’s head of state is His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi, who was elected by the National Legislative Assembly in July 2012 for a five-year term.

Achievements and challenges

Samoa has achieved good economic growth through sound and stable government and a commitment to strengthening economic management, governance and public sector reform. Frequent cyclones, tsunami and volcanoes cause widespread damage to homes, businesses, infrastructure and livelihoods.

Poverty in Samoa stems from a lack of access to basic services and the lack of opportunities and resources to meet household needs and obligations, and to fully participate in the community. Single income households, the landless, the unemployed, rural and isolated communities and the elderly and those living with disabilities without family support are more vulnerable to poverty.

Samoa has made good progress towards some of the Millennium Development Goals. It will meet the 2015 targets to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger (MDG1), provide universal primary education (MDG 2), reduce child mortality (MDG 4) and combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases (MDG6). Promoting gender equality (MDG3) and improving maternal health (MDG 5) remain a challenge.

Links with Australia

Relations between Australia and Samoa are warm and cooperative. Samoa enjoys a balance of trade surplus with Australia, owing to its exports of motor vehicle wire harnesses to Australia. Australia's merchandise exports to Samoa include sugar, molasses and honey, electrical equipment for circuits, milk and cream and paper products.

The 2011 census recorded 19,092 Samoa-born people in Australia with the largest population in New South Wales (7,877), followed by Queensland (6,473), Victoria (4,022) and Western Australia (364). Samoans are fast developing a love for Australian Rules, with a local Samoan-Australian Rules Football Association created in 1998.

Australia’s development package to Samoa focuses on health, education – including building a skilled workforce – and economic reform.

Australia aid focuses on education, governance and the empowerment of women. Australia also provided assistance for the recovery from Cyclone Evan .