: occupies an almost central position within Polynesia

People Samoa

Population: 178,631 (July 2002 est.)

Age structure: 0-14 years: 30.6% (male 27,774; female 26,854) 15-64
years: 63.5% (male 71,358; female 42,150) 65 years and over: 5.9%
(male 4,859; female 5,636) (2002 est.)

Population growth rate: -0.25% (2002 est.)

Birth rate: 15.53 births/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Death rate: 6.35 deaths/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Net migration rate: -11.64 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2002 est.)

Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.03
male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.69 male(s)/female 65 years and over:
0.86 male(s)/female total population: 1.39 male(s)/female (2002 est.)

Infant mortality rate: 30.74 deaths/1,000 live births (2002 est.)

Life expectancy at birth: 72.69 years (2002 est.) male: Total fertility
rate: 3.3 children born/woman (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: Samoan(s) adjective: Samoan

Ethnic groups: Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and
Polynesian blood), Europeans 0.4%

Religions: Christian 99.7% (about one-half of population associated with
the London Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic,
Methodist, Latter-Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)

Languages: Samoan (Polynesian), English

Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write total
population: 80% male: 81% female: 79% (1999)

Government Samoa

Country name: conventional long form: Independent State of Samoa
conventional short form: Samoa former: Western Samoa

Government type: constitutional monarchy under native chief

Capital: Apia

Administrative divisions: 11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua,
Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga,
Va'a-o-Fonoti, Vaisigano

Independence: 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN
trusteeship)

National holiday: Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note - 1
January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered
UN trusteeship, 1 June 1962 is the date that independence is celebrated

Constitution: 1 January 1962

Legal system: based on English common law and local customs; judicial
review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the
citizen; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

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