--- title: Samoa — English Wikipedia · full text with trees · page 3 description: Wikipedia's «Samoa», whole, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics, CC BY-SA 4.0. It begins: Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is an island country in Polynesia, a part of Oceania, which is in the South Pacific Ocean. --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/3/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/) / [en](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/) / Samoa # Samoa · page 3 From Wikipedia, [«Samoa»](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa), revision of the 2026-09-01 dump, [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). The trees and pragmatics of these pages, Mova's parse of that text, are CC BY-SA 4.0 too. [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/4/) On [Upolu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upolu);[176](../../176/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Tuamasaga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuamasaga) ([Afega](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afega))1[177](../../177/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Aʻana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aʻana) ([Leulumoega](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leulumoega))[178](../../178/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Aiga-i-le-Tai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aiga-i-le-Tai) ([Mulifanua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulifanua))2[179](../../179/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Atua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atua_%28district%29) ([Lufilufi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lufilufi))3[180](../../180/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Vaʻa-o-Fonoti](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaʻa-o-Fonoti) ([Samamea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samamea))[181](../../181/ "tree and pragmatics") On [Savaiʻi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savaiʻi);[182](../../182/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Faʻasaleleaga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faʻasaleleaga) ([Safotulafai](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safotulafai))[183](../../183/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Gagaʻemauga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagaʻemauga) ([Saleaula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saleaula))4[184](../../184/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Gagaʻifomauga](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gagaʻifomauga) ([Safotu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safotu))[185](../../185/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Vaisigano](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vaisigano) ([Asau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asau_%28Samoa%29))[186](../../186/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Satupaʻitea](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satupaʻitea) (Satupaʻitea)[187](../../187/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Palauli](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palauli) ([Vailoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vailoa))[188](../../188/ "tree and pragmatics") 1 including the faipule district of [Siumu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siumu) ; 2 including islands [Manono](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manono_Island), [Apolima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolima) and [Nuʻulopa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuʻulopa) ; 3 including the [Aleipata Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleipata_Islands) and [Nuʻusafeʻe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuʻusafeʻe) Island ; 4 smaller parts also on [Upolu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upolu) (Salamumu, incl.[189](../../189/ "tree and pragmatics") Salamumu-Uta and Leauvaʻa villages)[190](../../190/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Human rights See also: [Human rights in Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_rights_in_Samoa) Major areas of concern include the under-representation of women, domestic violence and poor prison conditions.[191](../../191/ "tree and pragmatics") [Homosexual acts](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_rights_in_Samoa) are illegal in Samoa.[\[92\]](../../page/4/#ref-92 "note 92")[192](../../192/ "tree and pragmatics") ### State religion In June 2017, an Act was passed changing the country's constitution to include a reference to the [Trinity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinity).[193](../../193/ "tree and pragmatics") As amended, Article 1 of the Samoan Constitution states that "Samoa is a Christian nation founded on God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit".[\[93\]](../../page/4/#ref-93 "note 93")[194](../../194/ "tree and pragmatics") According to [The Diplomat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Diplomat_%28magazine%29), "What Samoa has done is shift references to Christianity into the body of the constitution, giving the text far more potential to be used in legal processes."[\[94\]](../../page/4/#ref-94 "note 94")[195](../../195/ "tree and pragmatics") The preamble to the constitution already described the country as "an independent State based on Christian principles and Samoan custom and traditions."[\[94\]](../../page/4/#ref-94 "note 94")[196](../../196/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Military and police [Samoa has no formal defence structure or regular armed forces](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Samoa).[197](../../197/ "tree and pragmatics") It has informal defence ties with [New Zealand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand) [corpus](../../../New_Zealand/ "in our corpus"), which is required to consider any request for assistance from Samoa under the bilateral [Treaty of Friendship](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand–Samoa_relations#Treaty_of_Friendship) of 1962.[\[95\]](../../page/4/#ref-95 "note 95")[198](../../198/ "tree and pragmatics") Officers of the national police force, the [Samoa Police Service](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa_Police_Service), are regularly unarmed, but may be armed in exceptional circumstances with ministerial approval.[\[96\]](../../page/4/#ref-96 "note 96")[199](../../199/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 2022 there are between 900 and 1,100 police officers in Samoa.[200](../../200/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Geography Main article: [Geography of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Samoa) Samoa lies south of the equator, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand, in the [Polynesian](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesia) region of the Pacific Ocean.[201](../../201/ "tree and pragmatics") The total land area is 2,842 km2,[\[97\]](../../page/4/#ref-97 "note 97") consisting of the two large islands of [Upolu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upolu) and [Savaiʻi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savaiʻi) (which together account for 99% of the total land area) and eight small islets.[202](../../202/ "tree and pragmatics") The islets are:[\[98\]](../../page/4/#ref-98 "note 98")[203](../../203/ "tree and pragmatics") - the three islets in the [Apolima Strait](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolima_Strait) ([Manono Island](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manono_Island), [Apolima](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apolima) and [Nuʻulopa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuʻulopa))[204](../../204/ "tree and pragmatics") - the four [Aleipata Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleipata_Islands) off the eastern end of Upolu ([Nuʻutele](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuʻutele), [Nuʻulua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuʻulua), [Namua](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namua), and [Fanuatapu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fanuatapu))[205](../../205/ "tree and pragmatics") - [Nuʻusafeʻe](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuʻusafeʻe), which is less than 1 ha in area and lies about 1.4 km off the south coast of Upolu at the village of Vaovai[206](../../206/ "tree and pragmatics") The main island of Upolu is home to nearly three-quarters of Samoa's population, and to the capital city, [Apia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apia) [corpus](../../../Apia/ "in our corpus").[207](../../207/ "tree and pragmatics") The Samoan Islands result geologically from [volcanism](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volcanism) originating from the [Samoa hotspot](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa_hotspot), which is probably driven by a [mantle plume](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mantle_plume).[\[99\]](../../page/4/#ref-99 "note 99")[\[100\]](../../page/4/#ref-100 "note 100")[208](../../208/ "tree and pragmatics") While all of the islands have volcanic origins, only Savaiʻi, the westernmost island in Samoa, remains volcanically active, with the most recent eruptions at [Mount Matavanu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Matavanu) (1905–1911), [Mata o le Afi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mata_o_le_Afi) (1902) and [Mauga Afi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauga_Afi) (1725).[209](../../209/ "tree and pragmatics") The highest point in Samoa is [Mount Silisili](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silisili), at 1858 m. The [Saleaula](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saleaula) lava fields situated on the central north coast of Savaiʻi result from the Mount Matavanu eruptions, which left 50 km2 of solidified lava.[\[101\]](../../page/4/#ref-101 "note 101")[210](../../210/ "tree and pragmatics") Savaiʻi is the largest of the Samoan islands and the sixth-largest Polynesian island (after New Zealand's [North](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Island), [South](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Island) and [Stewart Islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Island/Rakiura) and the Hawaiian islands of [Hawaiʻi](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawaii_%28island%29) and [Maui](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maui)).[211](../../211/ "tree and pragmatics") The population of Savaiʻi is roughly 42 thousand people.[212](../../212/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Climate Samoa has an equatorial climate.[213](../../213/ "tree and pragmatics") The average annual temperature is 26.5 °C, and a main rainy season from November to April, although heavy rain may fall in any month.[\[102\]](../../page/4/#ref-102 "note 102")[214](../../214/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Ecology Further information: [List of mammals of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mammals_of_Samoa), [Flora of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flora_of_Samoa) See also: [List of birds of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_birds_of_Samoa), [List of protected areas of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_protected_areas_of_Samoa), [List of endemic plants of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_endemic_plants_of_Samoa) Samoa forms part of the [Samoan tropical moist forests](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoan_tropical_moist_forests) ecoregion.[\[103\]](../../page/4/#ref-103 "note 103")[215](../../215/ "tree and pragmatics") Since human habitation began, about 80% of the lowland rainforests have disappeared.[216](../../216/ "tree and pragmatics") However, with recent reforestation, about 60.4% (171,000 ha) of Samoa is forested, of which 32,000 ha is planted forest.[\[104\]](../../page/4/#ref-104 "note 104")[217](../../217/ "tree and pragmatics") Within the ecoregion, about 28% of plants and 84% of land birds are endemic.[218](../../218/ "tree and pragmatics") In June 2025, Samoa legally adopted the Samoa Marine Spatial Plan, a marine spatial planning framework that applies across Samoa's exclusive economic zone and uses ocean zoning to designate fully protected marine protected areas alongside zones intended for managed use.[\[105\]](../../page/4/#ref-105 "note 105")[219](../../219/ "tree and pragmatics") The adoption included nine new fully protected marine protected areas covering 36000 km2.[\[106\]](../../page/4/#ref-106 "note 106")[220](../../220/ "tree and pragmatics") Stakeholder consultations during the marine spatial planning process included partners such as [Conservation International Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conservation_International_Samoa).[\[107\]](../../page/4/#ref-107 "note 107")[221](../../221/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Economy Main article: [Economy of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_Samoa) The [United Nations](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations) has classified Samoa as an [economically developing country](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Developing_country) since 2014.[\[108\]](../../page/4/#ref-108 "note 108") as of 2017 Samoa's gross domestic product in [purchasing-power parity](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purchasing-power_parity) was estimated at $1.13 billion [U.S. dollars](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._dollars), ranking the country 204th in the world.[222](../../222/ "tree and pragmatics") The [services sector](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Services_sector) accounted for 66% of GDP, followed by [industry](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_sector) and [agriculture](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agriculture) at 23.6% and 10.4% respectively.[\[109\]](../../page/4/#ref-109 "note 109")[223](../../223/ "tree and pragmatics") For the same year, the Samoan [labour force](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labour_force) was estimated at 50,700.[\[109\]](../../page/4/#ref-109 "note 109")[224](../../224/ "tree and pragmatics") The [Central Bank of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_Bank_of_Samoa) issues and regulates Samoa's currency, the [Samoan tālā](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoan_tālā).[\[110\]](../../page/4/#ref-110 "note 110")[225](../../225/ "tree and pragmatics") The economy of Samoa has traditionally depended on agriculture and fishing at the local level.[226](../../226/ "tree and pragmatics") In modern times, [development aid](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Development_aid), private family [remittances from overseas](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remittances_from_overseas), and agricultural exports have become key factors in the nation's economy.[227](../../227/ "tree and pragmatics") Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labour force and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring [coconut](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut) cream, [coconut oil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_oil), [noni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noni) (juice of the nonu fruit, as it is known in Samoan), and [copra](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copra).[\[1\]](../../page/4/#ref-1 "note 1")[228](../../228/ "tree and pragmatics") Sixty percent of Samoa's electricity comes from renewable [hydro](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydroelectricity), solar, and wind sources, with the remainder produced by diesel generators.[229](../../229/ "tree and pragmatics") The Electric Power Corporation set a goal of [100% renewable energy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/100%_renewable_energy) by 2021.[\[111\]](../../page/4/#ref-111 "note 111")[230](../../230/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Tourism Tourist arrivals of 2024 in %[\[112\]](../../page/4/#ref-112 "note 112")[231](../../231/ "tree and pragmatics") | | | --- | | | In 2024 about 200,000 tourists visited the country.[\[113\]](../../page/4/#ref-113 "note 113")[232](../../232/ "tree and pragmatics") As of 2024 tourism makes up around 20% of Samoa's GDP,[\[114\]](../../page/4/#ref-114 "note 114") a decrease from 24.5% in 2019.[\[115\]](../../page/4/#ref-115 "note 115")[233](../../233/ "tree and pragmatics") The sector is volatile, affected by pandemics such as the [2019 measles outbreak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Samoa_measles_outbreak) and [COVID-19](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COVID-19_pandemic) and by natural disasters such as cyclones and the [2009 tsunami](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009_tsunami).[\[116\]](../../page/4/#ref-116 "note 116")[234](../../234/ "tree and pragmatics") The biggest sources of international tourists are New Zealand, Australia and the United States.[\[117\]](../../page/4/#ref-117 "note 117")[235](../../235/ "tree and pragmatics") In 2019, 38% of international arrivals were holidaymakers and 37% were visiting friends and family.[\[115\]](../../page/4/#ref-115 "note 115")[236](../../236/ "tree and pragmatics") The peak season is from June to September during the drier Samoan winter, with another peak during December and January, coinciding with the summer school holiday break in New Zealand and Australia, when Samoans living overseas return to visit their families for Christmas.[\[115\]](../../page/4/#ref-115 "note 115")[237](../../237/ "tree and pragmatics") Samoa is not as important a destination for cruise ships as some other Pacific Islands, but the Samoan government sees potential in expanding this sector of the tourism market.[\[116\]](../../page/4/#ref-116 "note 116")[238](../../238/ "tree and pragmatics") Samoa markets itself internationally as 'Beautiful Samoa.'[\[115\]](../../page/4/#ref-115 "note 115") and promotes key attractions that include diving and snorkeling and unique features such as blowholes, lava fields and the To Sua ocean trench, a sinkhole and swimming hole.[\[115\]](../../page/4/#ref-115 "note 115")[239](../../239/ "tree and pragmatics") A 2013 report stated that the most popular activities for holidaymakers to Samoa are swimming or visiting beaches, relaxing, visiting cafes and restaurants, shopping and sightseeing.[\[118\]](../../page/4/#ref-118 "note 118")[240](../../240/ "tree and pragmatics") The most popular attractions for holidaymakers were Lalomanu and Saleapaga beaches, To Sua Trench, Piula Cave Pool, Papaseea sliding rocks, Saleaula lava fields and Robert Louis Stevenson’s villa and grave.[\[118\]](../../page/4/#ref-118 "note 118")[241](../../241/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Agriculture See also: [Cocoa production in Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_production_in_Samoa) In the period before German colonisation (from the late 19th century), Samoa produced mostly copra.[242](../../242/ "tree and pragmatics") German merchants and settlers were active in introducing large-scale [plantation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plantation) operations and in developing new industries, notably cocoa beans and rubber, relying on imported labourers from [China](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/China) [corpus](../../../China/ "in our corpus") and [Melanesia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melanesia).[243](../../243/ "tree and pragmatics") When the value of [natural rubber](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_rubber) fell drastically, about the end of [World War I](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_I) in 1918, the [New Zealand](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Zealand) [corpus](../../../New_Zealand/ "in our corpus") government encouraged the production of bananas, for which there is a large market in New Zealand.[\[119\]](../../page/4/#ref-119 "note 119")[244](../../244/ "tree and pragmatics") Because of variations in altitude, Samoa can cultivate a large range of tropical and subtropical crops.[245](../../245/ "tree and pragmatics") Land is not generally available to outside interests.[246](../../246/ "tree and pragmatics") Of the total land area of 2,934 km2, about 24.4% is in permanent crops and another 21.2% is arable.[247](../../247/ "tree and pragmatics") About 4.4% is Western Samoan Trust Estates Corporation (WSTEC).[\[120\]](../../page/4/#ref-120 "note 120")[248](../../248/ "tree and pragmatics") The staple products of Samoa are copra (dried coconut meat), [cocoa beans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_bean) (for chocolate), rubber, and bananas.[\[121\]](../../page/4/#ref-121 "note 121")[249](../../249/ "tree and pragmatics") The annual production of both bananas and copra has been in the range of 13,000-15,000 tonne.[250](../../250/ "tree and pragmatics") If the [coconut rhinoceros beetle](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coconut_rhinoceros_beetle) in Samoa were eradicated, Samoa could produce in excess of 40,000 tonne of copra.[251](../../251/ "tree and pragmatics") Samoan cocoa beans are of very high quality and are used in fine New Zealand chocolates.[252](../../252/ "tree and pragmatics") Most are [Criollo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criollo_%28cocoa_bean%29)-Forastero hybrids.[253](../../253/ "tree and pragmatics") Coffee grows well, but production has been uneven.[254](../../254/ "tree and pragmatics") WESTEC is the biggest coffee producer.[255](../../255/ "tree and pragmatics") Other agricultural industries have proven less successful.[256](../../256/ "tree and pragmatics") [Sugarcane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sugarcane) production was originally established by Germans in the early 20th century.[257](../../257/ "tree and pragmatics") Old train tracks for transporting cane can be seen at some plantations east of [Apia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apia) [corpus](../../../Apia/ "in our corpus").[258](../../258/ "tree and pragmatics") [Pineapples](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple) grow well in Samoa, but have not moved beyond local consumption to become a major export.[\[122\]](../../page/4/#ref-122 "note 122")[\[123\]](../../page/4/#ref-123 "note 123")[259](../../259/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Transport Samoa's transportation infrastructure effectively connects its two main islands, [Upolu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upolu) and [Savai'i](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savai%27i), and facilitates travel to and from neighbouring regions.[260](../../260/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Air travel [Faleolo International Airport](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Faleolo_International_Airport), located about 25 miles (40 kilometres) west of the capital [Apia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apia) [corpus](../../../Apia/ "in our corpus") on Upolu Island, serves as Samoa's primary gateway for international flights.[261](../../261/ "tree and pragmatics") The airport is managed by the [Airports Authority](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airport_authority) and handles flights from various international carriers.[262](../../262/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Inter-island ferries The [Samoa Shipping Corporation](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoa_Shipping_Corporation), established in 1974, operates regular ferry services between the islands of Upolu and Savai'i.[\[124\]](../../page/4/#ref-124 "note 124")[263](../../263/ "tree and pragmatics") The main ferry route connects [Mulifanua Wharf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulifanua) on Upolu with [Salelologa Wharf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salelologa) on Savai'i, with a crossing time of approximately 60 to 90 minutes.[264](../../264/ "tree and pragmatics") Ferries operate daily, providing both passenger and vehicle transport services.[265](../../265/ "tree and pragmatics") The corporation also offers services to neighbouring territories, including [American Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Samoa) and [Tokelau](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tokelau).[\[125\]](../../page/4/#ref-125 "note 125")[\[126\]](../../page/4/#ref-126 "note 126")[266](../../266/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Public transportation Public transportation within Samoa primarily consists of buses and taxis.[267](../../267/ "tree and pragmatics") Buses are a popular mode of travel, with terminals located in Apia behind the [Fugalei Food Market](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fugalei) and in Savalalo next to the Fish Market.[268](../../268/ "tree and pragmatics") On Savai'i, bus terminals are situated at the market and main wharf in [Salelologa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salelologa).[269](../../269/ "tree and pragmatics") Fares are generally affordable, with the most one should expect to pay being SAT$12 per person.[\[127\]](../../page/4/#ref-127 "note 127")[270](../../270/ "tree and pragmatics") Taxis are readily available and can be hired for both short trips and day-long excursions.[271](../../271/ "tree and pragmatics") Renting a scooter is another option, offering flexibility to explore at one's own pace; however, wearing helmets is mandatory.[\[128\]](../../page/4/#ref-128 "note 128")[272](../../272/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Road infrastructure Samoa's road network consists mainly of paved highways connecting key towns and villages on both Upolu and Savai'i islands.[273](../../273/ "tree and pragmatics") Driving is on the left-hand side of the road, a practice adopted in 2009 to align with neighbouring countries.[\[129\]](../../page/4/#ref-129 "note 129")[274](../../274/ "tree and pragmatics") The roads are generally well-maintained, facilitating efficient travel across the islands.[275](../../275/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Ports The main port in Apia serves as the primary hub for international shipping, handling containerised cargo and fuel shipments.[276](../../276/ "tree and pragmatics") The port also accommodates ferries traveling to American Samoa and other [Pacific islands](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_islands).[277](../../277/ "tree and pragmatics") Additional ports, such as those in Salelologa on Savai'i, support inter-island ferry services and local maritime activities.[\[125\]](../../page/4/#ref-125 "note 125")[\[126\]](../../page/4/#ref-126 "note 126")[278](../../278/ "tree and pragmatics") #### Cycling and walking While less common, some visitors and locals opt for cycling or walking, especially in rural areas.[279](../../279/ "tree and pragmatics") However, due to limited infrastructure for non-motorised transport, these modes are less prevalent for long-distance travel.[\[130\]](../../page/4/#ref-130 "note 130")[\[131\]](../../page/4/#ref-131 "note 131")[280](../../280/ "tree and pragmatics") ## Demographics Main article: [Demographics of Samoa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Samoa) Samoa reported a population of 194,320 in its 2016 census.[\[132\]](../../page/4/#ref-132 "note 132")[281](../../281/ "tree and pragmatics") This number increased to 205,557 in its 2021 Census.[\[3\]](../../page/4/#ref-3 "note 3")[282](../../282/ "tree and pragmatics") About three-quarters of the population live on the main island of [Upolu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upolu).[\[85\]](../../page/4/#ref-85 "note 85")[283](../../283/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Health Main article: [2019 Samoa measles outbreak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_Samoa_measles_outbreak) A measles outbreak began in October 2019.[284](../../284/ "tree and pragmatics") By the time the outbreak subsided in early January, the number of deaths reached 83 (0.31 per 1,000, based on a population of 201,316[\[133\]](../../page/4/#ref-133 "note 133")) and over 4,460 cases (2.2% of the population) of measles in Samoa,[\[134\]](../../page/4/#ref-134 "note 134")[\[135\]](../../page/4/#ref-135 "note 135") mainly children under four years old, and 10 reported cases in [Fiji](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiji) [corpus](../../../Fiji/ "in our corpus").[\[136\]](../../page/4/#ref-136 "note 136")[285](../../285/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Ethnic groups The population is 96% [Samoans](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoans), 2% dual [Samoan New Zealanders](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoan_New_Zealander) and 1.9% other, according to a 2011 estimate in the [CIA World Factbook](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIA_World_Factbook).[\[109\]](../../page/4/#ref-109 "note 109")[286](../../286/ "tree and pragmatics") ### Languages Further information: [Polynesian languages](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polynesian_languages) Samoan (Gagana Fa'asāmoa) and English are the official languages.[287](../../287/ "tree and pragmatics") Including second-language speakers, there are more speakers of Samoan than English in Samoa.[\[137\]](../../page/4/#ref-137 "note 137")[288](../../288/ "tree and pragmatics") [Samoan Sign Language](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samoan_Sign_Language) is also commonly used among the [deaf](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hearing_loss) population of Samoa.[289](../../289/ "tree and pragmatics") To emphasise the importance of full inclusion with sign language, elementary Samoan Sign Language was taught to members of the Samoa Police Service, Red Cross Society, and public during the 2017 International Week of the Deaf.[\[138\]](../../page/4/#ref-138 "note 138")[290](../../290/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/) [2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/2/) **3** [4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/4/) - ← previous: [page 2](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/2/) - next →: [page 4](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/Samoa/page/4/) - ↑ back to [English Wikipedia](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/wikipedia/en/)