# The World Factbook (1982)/Western Samoa
## WESTERN SAMOAWESTERN SAMOA

* (See reference map X)

### LANDLAND

2,849 km$^2$; comprised of 2 large islands of Savai'i and Upolu and several smaller islands, including Manono and Apolima; 65% forested, 24% cultivated, 11% industry, waste, or urban

### WATERWATER

Limits of territorial waters (claimed): 12 nm
Coastline: 403 km

### PEOPLEPEOPLE

Population: 158,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 0.7%
Nationality: noun—Western Samoan(s); adjective—Western Samoa
Ethnic divisions: Polynesians, about 12,000 Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood), 700 Europeans
Religion: 99.7% Christian (about half of population associated with the London Missionary Society)
Language: Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy: 85%-90% (education compulsory for all children from 7-15 years)
Labor force: 38,200 (1976), 90% in agriculture
Organized labor: unorganized

### GOVERNMENTGOVERNMENT

Official name: Independent State of Western Samoa
Type: constitutional monarchy under native chief; special treaty relationship with New Zealand
Capital: Apia
Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; constitution came into effect upon independence in 1962; judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
National holiday: 1 January
​Branches: Head of State and Executive Council; Legislative Assembly; Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Land and Titles Court, village courts
Government leaders: Head of State, MALIETOA Tanumafili II; Prime Minister Taisi Tupuola EFI
Suffrage: 45 Samoan members of Legislative Assembly are elected by holders of matai (heads of family) titles (about 12,000 persons); two members who do not have traditional family ties are elected by universal adult suffrage
Elections: held triennially, last in February 1982
Political parties and leaders: no clearly defined political party structure
Communists: unknown
Member of: ADB, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, South Pacific Forum, South Pacific Commission, UN, UPU, WHO

### ECONOMYECONOMY

GNP: $70 million (1978), $450 per capita
Agriculture: cocoa, bananas, copra; staple foods include coconut, bananas, taro, and yams
Major industries: timber, tourism
Electric power: 16,900 kW capacity (1981); 41 million kWh produced (1981), 263 kWh per capita
Exports: $11.1 million (f.o.b., 1978); copra 43.3%, cocoa 32.3%, timber 2.0%, mineral fuel, bananas
Imports: $52.5 million (c.i.f., 1978); food 30%, manufactured goods 25%, machinery
Major trade partners: exports—37% New Zealand, 7% Netherlands, 36% West Germany, 8% US; imports—28% New Zealand, 20% Australia, 15% Japan, 13% US
Aid: economic commitments—US (FY70-80), $8 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF (1970-79), $72 million
Budget: (1977) $53.3 million
Monetary conversion rate: WS Tala=US$1.22 (1979)

### COMMUNICATIONSCOMMUNICATIONS

Railroads: none
Highways: 784 km total; 375 km bituminous, remainder mostly gravel, crushed stone, or earth
Inland waterways: none
Ports: 1 principal (Apia), 1 minor
Civil air: 2 major transport aircraft
Airfields: 4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways, 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Telecommunications: 3,800 telephones (2.5 per 100 popl.); 20,000 radio receivers; 1 AM station

### DEFENSE FORCESDEFENSE FORCES

Military manpower: males 15-49, 35,000; 18,000 fit for military service