Samoa

Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country consisting of two main islands, Savai'i and Upolu, and four smaller islands in the Samoan Islands archipelago. The capital city is Apia. The Lapita people discovered and settled the Samoan Islands around 3,500 years ago. Samoa is a unitary parliamentary democracy with eleven administrative divisions. The population of Samoa is around 200,000 people. Most Samoans are full-blooded of Polynesian descent. Samoa is situated north of the Tropic of Capricorn, east of the Solomon Islands, south of Tuvalu, west of American Samoa, and about 2,800 km (1,700 mi) south of Tokelau. Upolu, the larger island, covers 1,106 km2 (428 sq mi), while Savai'i is the larger but more sparsely populated island, covering 2,142 km2 (826 sq mi). The coastline of Samoa is about 123 km (76 mi). Samoa has two distinct cultures: a traditional polynesian culture that is prevailing in most of the country and a more modern western culture that is evident in the capital city, Apia. This is a result of Samoa's history, in which the country was a colony of first Germany and then New Zealand. The climate in Samoa is tropical, with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. Samoa is vulnerable to tropical cyclones, which occur about once every three years. The economy of Samoa is based on agriculture, fishing and tourism. Agriculture employs about two-thirds of the workforce and contributes about one-third of GDP. Agricultural exports include cocoa, coconuts, copra, taro, yams, bananas, nonu and pineapples. Fishing is also an important part of the economy, with tuna being the main catch. Tourism is a rapidly growing sector, with visitors attracted by the country's beaches, climate and culture. The Samoan government is working to develop the country's infrastructure and attract investment. A number of infrastructure projects are underway, including the construction of a new airport, a new wharf and the upgrading of roads. The government is also working to attract foreign investment, particularly in the tourism sector. The people of Samoa are friendly and welcoming. The country has a rich culture and a strong sense of tradition. Samoa is a great place to visit, with its beautiful beaches, friendly people and fascinating culture.