c divisions:
Samoan 92.6%, Euronesians 7% (persons of European and Polynesian
blood), Europeans 0.4%
Religions:
Christian 99.7% (about half of population associated with the London
Missionary Society; includes Congregational, Roman Catholic,
Methodist, Latter Day Saints, Seventh-Day Adventist)
Languages:
Samoan (Polynesian), English
Literacy:
age 15 and over can read and write (1971)
total population:
97%
male:
97%
female:
97%
Labor force:
38,000
by occupation:
agriculture 22,000 (1987 est.)

@Western Samoa, Government

Names:
conventional long form:
Independent State of Western Samoa
conventional short form:
Western Samoa
Digraph:
WS
Type:
constitutional monarchy under native chief
Capital:
Apia
Administrative divisions:
11 districts; A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga,
Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti,
Vaisigano
Independence:
1 January 1962 (from UN trusteeship administered by New Zealand)
National holiday:
National Day, 1 June (1962)
Constitution:
1 January 1962
Legal system:
based on English common law and local customs; judicial review of
legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage:
21 years of age; universal, but only matai (head of family) are able
to run for the Legislative Assembly
Executive branch:
chief of state:
Chief Susuga Malietoa TANUMAFILI II (Co-Chief of State from 1 January
1962 until becoming sole Chief of State on 5 April 1963)
head of government:
Prime Minister TOFILAU Eti Alesana (since 7 April 1988)
cabinet:
Cabinet; appointed by the head of state with the prime minister's
advice
Legislative branch:
unicameral
Legislative Assembly (Fono):
elections last held 5 April 1991 (next to be held by NA 1996); results
- percent of vote by party NA; seats - (47 total) HRPP 28, SNDP 18,
independents 1
Judicial branch:
Supreme Court, Court of Appeal
Political parties and leaders:
Human Rights Protection Party (HRPP), TOFILAU Eti Alesana, chairman;
Samoan National Development Party (SNDP), TAPUA Tamasese Efi, chairman
Member of:
ACP, AsDB, C, ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICFTU, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IMF,
INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), IOC, ITU, LORCS, SPARTECA, SPC, SPF, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Neroni SLAD