Samoa

Samoa is an independent island country in the western Samoan Islands of the South Pacific. Formerly known as Western Samoa, it became independent from New Zealand in 1962.

Upolu: Upolu is Samoa’s most populous island and the location of its capital, Apia. Most Samoans live on this island, where the country’s political and commercial center is located.
German Samoa: German Samoa was the German colonial territory in the western Samoan Islands from 1900 to 1914. German rule preceded New Zealand’s administration and shaped the country’s colonial history.
Politics of Samoa: Politics of Samoa concerns the country’s constitutional government, parliament, elections, and chiefly traditions. Samoa combines parliamentary institutions with the customary authority of matai, or chiefs.
American Samoa: American Samoa is a United States territory occupying the eastern part of the Samoan Islands. It shares Samoan heritage with the independent country but has a different political status.
Savaiʻi: Savaiʻi is the largest island in Samoa by area. It forms the country’s other major inhabited island and retains many rural villages.
New Zealand occupation of German Samoa: New Zealand occupied German Samoa in 1914 and administered it under successive mandates and trusteeship. This administration continued until Samoa achieved independence.
Constitution of Samoa: The Constitution of Samoa is the country’s supreme legal framework, in force since independence in 1962. It establishes the parliamentary system and defines the office of head of state.
Tonga: Tonga is an independent Polynesian kingdom and island country southwest of Samoa. Its proximity and Polynesian history place it among Samoa’s closest regional neighbors.
Apia: Apia is the capital and largest city of Samoa, on the island of Upolu. The country’s government and main port are based in its capital.
Mau movement: The Mau movement was a Samoan campaign for self-government and independence during the twentieth century. Its civil resistance helped mobilize opposition to New Zealand rule.

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