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Samoa
parliamentary republic
The first Austronesian settlers arrived in Samoa around 1000 B.C., and early Samoans traded and intermarried with Fijian and Tongan nobility. The fa’amatai system of titles and nobility developed, which dominates Samoan politics to this day; all but two seats in the legislature are reserved for matai, or heads of families. A Dutch explorer was the first European to spot the islands in 1722.
Profile
CapitalApia
Population210K
GDP$1.5B
Area2,831 km²
Currencytala (SAT) per US dollar -
Leadership
Head of State
Va'aletoa Sualauvi II
Since 2017
Head of Government
Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa
Since 2021
At a Glance
Population
210K
GDP (PPP)
$2B
