Samoa

Samoa is an independent island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, occupying the western half of the Samoan archipelago. The eastern half forms American Samoa, a United States territory. Every identifier here is paired with the exact primary source and the retrieval rule you need to verify it yourself, because no static profile stays current.

Classification and Country Codes

The following identifiers are stable and come from the United Nations Standard Country or Area Codes for Statistical Use (M49) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO):

UN M49 code: 882
ISO alpha-2: WS
ISO alpha-3: WSM
UN region: Oceania
UN subregion: Polynesia
UN member state: Yes (since 15 December 1976)
World Bank capital field: Apia

These codes are statistical classifications, not political or territorial claims. The UN M49 overview is the authoritative source for these identifiers:

How to verify current data

For any figure on this profile, check the source and reference year before citing it. Inhabitant counts, currency, the structure of the national administration and economic indicators change frequently. The World Bank API returns current country metadata and economic indicators; the UN M49 overview defines the statistical region and subregion codes. Always name the reference year when you quote a number. If two sources disagree, note the source and year for each figure rather than averaging incompatible datasets.

Using the World Bank API

The World Bank’s country API returns the official nation name, capital, region, income level and lending category as of the query date. Always note the retrieval date because classifications change when the Bank updates its income thresholds each July.

Inhabitant figures

Inhabitant counts change continuously between censuses. The United Nations Population Division publishes annual estimates and projections; the most recent revision is the reference for any figure you cite. The World Bank API also returns inhabitant estimates, but it draws on UN data and may lag by a year or two. When you compare numbers, note which source and year you are using, and do not mix a UN projection with a World Bank estimate as if they were the same measurement. Samoa’s count is small, roughly in the low two hundred thousands, but the exact figure depends on the reference year and whether it includes Samoans living abroad. For the current official estimate, check the Samoa Bureau of Statistics; for the internationally comparable figure, use the World Bank’s country page or the UN inhabitant data portal. Census counts in small island states can be affected by emigration and by definitions of residency, so compare the census year and the estimation method before quoting a number.

Capital, currency, language

Apia is the capital. The World Bank capital field for Samoa lists Apia. The currency is the Samoan tālā (WST), issued by the Central Bank of Samoa. The official languages are Samoan and English, and Samoan is used widely in daily life. These are stable classification facts, but currency codes and language policy can change, so verify against the central bank and national legislation for the current year.

Land area

For area, the World Bank and UN Statistics Division report land area in square kilometres. Samoa’s total surface area is approximately 2,842 km² (World Bank, 2023), but check the API for the latest value.

Language and people

Samoa’s official languages are Samoan and English. Samoan is an Austronesian language spoken by nearly the entire populace; English is used in administration and business. Inhabitant figures are estimates between censuses, not exact counts. The Samoa Bureau of Statistics conducts the census and publishes inhabitant estimates; the UN Population Division also publishes annual estimates. For the latest figure, check the Samoa National Bureau of Statistics or the UN data portal, and note the reference year.

Administration and economy

Samoa is an independent state and a member of the United Nations. It is a parliamentary republic with a Westminster-style system; the Head of State is elected by the Legislative Assembly. For current political structure, see the official administration portal or the CIA World Factbook’s Samoa profile, which is a secondary compilation with methodology notes. The World Bank country page provides GDP, income group and development indicators; always record the reference year for each indicator. The IMF, WHO and UNESCO publish additional economic, health and education data. Use the World Bank’s country classification (low, lower-middle, upper-middle, high income) only for the year stated.

Do not use the CIA World Factbook as a primary source for Samoa’s legal or political status; it is a useful secondary compilation but not authoritative for territorial definitions.

Currency

Use the World Bank API and the IMF country information page to identify the current official currency and its reference year. Do not assume the currency from memory. State the reference year. The official currency is the Samoan tālā (WST, symbol WS$). Use the Central Bank of Samoa for current exchange rates.

Administration form

Samoa is a parliamentary republic with a unicameral Legislative Assembly (Fono). Head of state is the O le Ao o le Malo. The administration structure and election dates are described by the Samoan authorities and by the U.S. State Department’s country profile. Do not state current officeholders without a cited source and year. For travel, refer readers to their own nation’s travel advisory.

Economic data

World Bank and IMF are the standard sources for GDP, GDP per capita, growth and income classification. Cite the specific dataset and year. Do not guess. The World Bank classifies Samoa as a small island developing state. Use the World Bank country API for income classification and GDP per capita; the reference year is stated in the API response. Agriculture, fisheries, tourism and remittances are commonly cited sectors; attribute the most recent values to the source.

People and culture

Samoa (Gagana Samoa) and English are official languages. Fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way) is the cultural framework; the matai chiefly system and the aiga (extended family) structure social life. Use UNESCO for education and cultural heritage statistics; use WHO for health metrics; use national statistics for census-derived data.

Entry, safety and health

For entry rules, visa requirements and health advice, always check your own nation’s travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre; requirements change with little notice. The World Health Organization publishes country health profiles; the national statistical office publishes census and demographic data; the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publishes official statements. Do not rely on third-party summaries for legal or safety decisions.