1982 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1982 (Wikisource)
Geography
Area
2,849 km2; 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 WATER
Coastline
403 km
Limits of territorial waters (claimed)
12 nm
People and Society
Ethnic divisions
Polynesians, about 12,000 Euronesians (persons of European and Polynesian blood), 700 Europeans
Labor force
38,200 (1976), 90% in agriculture
Language
Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy
85%-90% (education compulsory for all children from 7-15 years)
Nationality
noun—Western Samoan(s); adjective—Western Samoa
Organized labor
unorganized
Population
158,000 (July 1982), average annual growth rate 0.7%
Religion
99.7% Christian (about half of population associated with the London Missionary Society)
Government
Capital
Apia
Communists
unknown
Elections
held triennially, last in February 1982 Political parties and leaders: no clearly defined political party structure
Government leaders
Head of State, MALIETOA Tanumafili II; Prime Minister Taisi Tupuola EFI
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
Member of
ADB, Commonwealth, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF, South Pacific Forum, South Pacific Commission, UN, UPU, WHO
National holiday
1 January Branches: Head of State and Executive Council; Legislative Assembly; Supreme Court, Court of Appeal, Land and Titles Court, village courts
Official name
Independent State of Western Samoa
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
Type
constitutional monarchy under native chief; special treaty relationship with New Zealand
Economy
Agriculture
cocoa, bananas, copra; staple foods include coconut, bananas, taro, and yams
Aid
economic commitments—US (FY70-80), $8 million; Western (non-US) countries, ODA and OOF (1970-79), $72 million
Budget
(1977) $53.3 million
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
GNP
$70 million (1978), $450 per capita
Imports
$52.5 million (c.i.f., 1978); food 30%, manufactured goods 25%, machinery
Major industries
timber, tourism
Major trade partners
exports—37% New Zealand, 7% Netherlands, 36% West Germany, 8% US; imports—28% New Zealand, 20% Australia, 15% Japan, 13% US
Monetary conversion rate
WS Tala=US$1.22 (1979)
Communications
Airfields
4 total, 4 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways, 1 with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Civil air
2 major transport aircraft
Highways
784 km total; 375 km bituminous, remainder mostly gravel, crushed stone, or earth
Inland waterways
none
Ports
1 principal (Apia), 1 minor
Railroads
none
Telecommunications
3,800 telephones (2.5 per 100 popl.); 20,000 radio receivers; 1 AM station
Military and Security
Military manpower
males 15-49, 35,000; 18,000 fit for military service