Samoa

1722 (August 1, Thursday): Dutch navigator Jacob Roggeveen is the first European to sight Samoa

1830s (Early): Christian missionaries arrive in Samoa, beginning the spread of Christianity

1900 (March 1, Thursday): Germany annexes Samoa as part of its colonial empire

1914 (August 29, Saturday): New Zealand captures German Samoa during World War I

1962 (January 1, Saturday): Samoa becomes the first Pacific Island nation to gain independence from colonial rule

1990 (January 1, Monday): Cyclone Ofa causes widespread damage, particularly in low-lying areas

1991 (December 15, Sunday): Cyclone Val causes severe flooding and infrastructure damage

2009 (September 29, Monday): Tsunami hits Samoa, with significant destruction and loss of life

2012 (December 13, Thursday): Tropical Cyclone Evan causes widespread damage, especially in the capital and coastal regions

2019 (April 13, Saturday): Measles outbreak leads to a national health crisis, with hundreds of cases and dozens of deaths

2020 (March 17, Tuesday): COVID-19 pandemic leads to lockdown and border restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus

2022 (January 14, Friday): Severe flooding and landslides due to heavy rains cause significant damage to infrastructure

Continent: Oceania
Location: Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean
Capital: Apia
Language: Samoan, English
Currency: Tala (WST)
Population: ~200,000 (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Samoa Standard Time (SST)

Borders: None (island nation)
Landscape: Volcanic islands, mountains, coastal plains, tropical rainforests
Major Rivers: Vaisigano River, Fuluasou River
Major Mountains: Mount Fito, Mount Matavanu, Mount Vaea
Deserts: None
Lakes: No significant lakes
Volcanoes: Mount Matavanu (active volcano)
Highest Point: Mount Fito (1,111 m / 3,645 ft)
Lowest Point: Pacific Ocean (0 m / 0 ft)
Climate: Tropical climate, with a wet season from November to April and a dry season from May to October
Geological Features: Volcanic islands, coral reefs, and rainforests

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Polynesian, with small minorities of European and mixed descent
Religion: Christianity (predominantly Congregational Christian Church in Samoa, Roman Catholic, and Methodist)
Urban Population: ~20% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~6% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: Traditional Polynesian culture, tatau (tattoo), music, dance, and rugby
Cuisine: Poke (raw fish), taro, breadfruit, coconut milk, and tropical fruits
Arts: Traditional Samoan music, fire knife dancing, tivaevae (quilting)
Sports: Rugby, athletics, and volleyball

Economy Type: Developing, based on agriculture, remittances, and tourism
GDP: Approx. $1.1 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Agriculture (coconuts, taro, cocoa), tourism, fishing
Key Exports: Coconuts, copra, tuna, and taro
Unemployment Rate: ~6.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Primarily agriculture-based, with increasing focus on tourism

Government Type: Parliamentary republic
Head of State: President of Samoa (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral (Legislative Assembly)
Constitution: In effect since 1962

Apia: Cultural center, traditional markets, and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
To Sua Ocean Trench: A natural swimming hole surrounded by lush vegetation
Mount Matavanu: Hiking opportunities to an active volcanic site
Lalomanu Beach: Beautiful white sand beaches and crystal-clear waters
Samoa’s National Park: Rainforests, waterfalls, and hiking trails