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Country Guide > Australia and South Pacific > Samoa | |
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General Information Area 2831 sq km (1093 sq miles). Population 176,848 (official estimate 2001). Population Density 62.5 per sq km. Capital Apia (Upolu Island). Population: 34,126 (1991). Geography Samoa consists of nine islands. The largest of these is Savai’i, which covers 1610 sq km (622 sq miles); fertile Upolu, the second largest (1120 sq km/433 sq miles), lies 13km (8 miles) to the southeast across the Apolima Strait. The islands are quiescent volcanoes and reach heights of up to 1858m (6097ft) on Savai’i and 1100m (3608ft) on Upolu. Volcanic activity has not occurred since 1911. The main city, Apia, is located in the north of Upolu. Government Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from New Zealand in 1962. Head of State: HH Malietoa Tanumafili II since 1963. Head of Government: Prime Minister Tuila’epa Sailele Malielegaoi since 1998. Language Samoan is the national language. In business and commerce, English is customary. Religion Congregational Church, Roman Catholic, Methodist and Latter Day Saints. Time GMT - 12. Electricity 240 volts AC, 50Hz (110 volts AC in some hotels). Three-pronged plugs are in use as in Australia and New Zealand. Communications Telephone Incoming IDD is available. Country code: 685. There are no area codes. Outgoing international calls must be made through the operator. Mobile telephone Samoa has its own analogue mobile phone system operated by Telecom Samoa. Visitors with analogue phones can be assigned a new number for the duration of their stay and calls will be charged to their credit card. Fax Services are available from the main post office in Apia. There are hotels with facilities. Internet Internet and e-mail services are available in Apia and other locations around the islands. Telegram Available from the main post office in Apia. Also in main towns and at major hotels. Post Main post office hours (located on Beach Road, Apia): Mon-Fri 0800-1630. Poste restante facilities are also available: enquire at post office. Airmail to Europe takes about three weeks. Press The main English-language newspapers are Newsline, The Samoa Observer and Savali. Radio BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online. |