Samoa is located in Polynesia, and its capital is Apia. It has a population of approximately 218,019 and covers an area of about 2,840 km². Its official currency is the Samoan tālā (WST).
What stands out
People & place
76.8 /km² across 2,840 km²
Samoa has a recorded population of 218,019 and a reported surface area of 2,840 km².
Economic snapshot
$1.18 billion nominal GDP
Nominal GDP is recorded at $1.18 billion and GDP per capita at $5,393 for 2024. These measures do not describe income distribution or household wealth.
Samoa is a Polynesian nation in the central South Pacific, made up of two main islands and several smaller ones. Often called the cradle of Polynesia, it is a place where ancient customs, expressed through the cultural code known as faaSamoa, remain central to everyday life. Lush, volcanic and surrounded by reef, it pairs natural beauty with deep tradition.
The country centres on the larger islands of Savaii and Upolu, both volcanic and mountainous, cloaked in rainforest and ringed by coral reefs, lagoons and waterfalls. The capital, Apia, lies on Upolu. The climate is tropical, with a warm wet season and a cooler dry season.
Samoan life revolves around faaSamoa, the Samoan way, emphasising family, community, respect and the authority of matai, or chiefs. Traditions such as the ava ceremony, intricate tatau tattooing, and communal village life remain strong. The country is also deeply Christian, blending faith with custom.
Settled by Polynesians some three thousand years ago, Samoa came under German and then New Zealand administration in the 20th century. In 1962 it became the first Pacific island nation to gain independence in the modern era. In 2011 it shifted west of the International Date Line to better align with its main trading partners.
Key facts
It was the first small Pacific island nation to gain independence, in 1962.
Samoan culture is guided by faaSamoa, the traditional Samoan way of life.
The writer Robert Louis Stevenson spent his final years and is buried on Upolu.
In 2011 the country jumped across the International Date Line, skipping a day.
This overview is AI-assisted and grounded with available atlas facts and reference material. Treat linked primary data as authoritative. Read the methodology.
Population, area and economic figures use the latest available values from World Bank Open Data; reporting years can vary by country. See sources and methodology for indicator definitions, mapping attribution, and editorial limitations.
Samoa has a recorded population of approximately 218,019 people.
How big is Samoa?
Samoa covers an area of about 2,840 km².
What is the population density of Samoa?
Samoa has a population density of roughly 76.8 /km² (people per square kilometre).
What is the GDP of Samoa?
Samoa has a gross domestic product (GDP) of approximately $1.18 billion as of 2024.
What is the GDP per capita of Samoa?
Samoa has a GDP per capita of approximately $5,393.
What currency is used in Samoa?
Samoa uses the Samoan tālā (WST), with the symbol SAT.
Where is Samoa located?
Samoa is located in Polynesia, Oceania.
What are people from Samoa called?
People from Samoa are referred to as Samoan.
What is the phone calling code for Samoa?
The international dialing code for Samoa is +685.
What is the internet domain for Samoa?
The country code top-level domain (ccTLD) for Samoa is .ws.
What time zone is Samoa in?
Samoa uses the Pacific/Apia time zone.
What is Samoa known for?
Samoa is a Polynesian nation in the central South Pacific, made up of two main islands and several smaller ones. Often called the cradle of Polynesia, it is a place where ancient customs, expressed through the cultural code known as faaSamoa, remain central to everyday life. Lush, volcanic and surrounded by reef, it pairs natural beauty with deep tradition.
Polynesia
