Sa‘oloto Tuto‘atasi o Samoa

Political Status: Independent state since January 1, 1962; member of the Commonwealth since 1970; under mixed political system approximating a constitutional monarchy.

Area: 1,097 sq. mi. (2,842 sq. km.).

Population: 176,710 (2001C); 189,000 (2006E).

Major Urban Center (2005E): APIA (40,700).

Official Languages: English, Samoan.

Monetary Unit: Tala (official rate November 2, 2007: 2.52 tala = $1US).

Head of State: Tuiatua Tupua Tamasese EFI; elected by the Legislative Assembly and installed on June 20, 2007, succeeding Susuga Malietoa TANUMAFILI II, who had died on May 12.

Prime Minister: Tuila’epa Sailele MALIELEGAOI (Human Rights Protection Party); confirmed by the Legislative Assembly on November 23, 1998, following the resignation of Tofilau Eti ALESANA (Human Rights Protection Party); continued in office following the elections of March 2, 2001, and March ...