History of Samoa
The islands were originally settled around 1000 BC by natives. By 200 BC, Samoa was the center of a Polynesian community. There was trade taking place between Fuji and Tonga. Dutchman, Jacob Roggeveen, was the first European to sight the islands in 1722. Louis-Antoine de Bougainville, a french explorer, decided to name the islands "The Navigator Islands" after he encountered Samoans in ocean canoes. In 1787, a french ship landed on one of the Samoan islands. Immediately, the ship's crew was attacked by natives.
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John Williams, a British missionary, arrived in Samoa in 1830. They were responsible for bringing Christianity over to the islands and for the destruction of the traditional Samoan religion.
In 1857, JC Godeffroy, a german company, founded their headquarters in Samoa. This lead to Samoa becoming the most popular trading post in the Pacific Islands.
The Treaty of Berlin was signed in 1889, which guaranteed Samoa would keep possession of its independence under the control of its own king, who would be given guidance by the British, American, and German consuls.
In 1857, JC Godeffroy, a german company, founded their headquarters in Samoa. This lead to Samoa becoming the most popular trading post in the Pacific Islands.
The Treaty of Berlin was signed in 1889, which guaranteed Samoa would keep possession of its independence under the control of its own king, who would be given guidance by the British, American, and German consuls.
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On December 2, 1899 the Treaty of Berlin was replaced with the Treaty of Tripartite. This stated that Western Samoa was Germany's and America gained what is now called American Samoa.
1914, the starting point of World War I, New Zealand took over Western Samoa.
In 1947, the Samoan Legislative body was changed so that it was composed of Samoan majority which granted Samoa substantial power. Western Samoa was the first Polynesian state to gain its own independence from New Zealand in 1962.
In 1970, Western Samoa became a member of the Commonwealth.
1914, the starting point of World War I, New Zealand took over Western Samoa.
In 1947, the Samoan Legislative body was changed so that it was composed of Samoan majority which granted Samoa substantial power. Western Samoa was the first Polynesian state to gain its own independence from New Zealand in 1962.
In 1970, Western Samoa became a member of the Commonwealth.
Government
The Samoan government is a Parliamentary Democracy. The capital of Samoa is Apia. The flag is red and blue with 5 white stars. The symbolic flag displays the white stars of the Southern Cross, a constellation. The blue is said to represent freedom. Red is to represent courage, as well as being a traditional Samoan color.
Samoa has relations with..
Samoa participated in a first round of negotiations with its Pacific Island neighbors for a regional trade agreement in August 2000. It also opened embassies in Japan and China
- The United States (Since 1967, the United States has supported a substantial Peace Corps program in Samoa)
- Botswana (Established diplomatic relations on March 18, 2010)
- China (Established official diplomatic relations in 1976. The two countries currently maintain cordial relations; China provides economic aid to Samoa)
- Cuba (Samoa participated in the first Cuba-Pacific Islands ministerial meeting in Havana in September 2008, aimed at "strengthening cooperation" between Cuba and Samoa)
- France (The Samoan Government was an outspoken critic of the French decision to resume nuclear weapons testing in the South Pacific Ocean in 1995)
- Kosovo (In September 2008, Samoa became the 46th country to officially recognise the independence of Kosovo)
- New Zealand (In 1962, Samoa signed a Treaty of Friendship)
- Australia (Established the Samoa-Australia Police Partnership)
Samoa participated in a first round of negotiations with its Pacific Island neighbors for a regional trade agreement in August 2000. It also opened embassies in Japan and China
Economy
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The currency in Samoa is the Tala. One US Dollar is equivalent to 2.31 Tala. The economy of Samoa is relatively healthy. Even though it is small, it has performed well in the past. A large proportion of the population is employed and works in subsistence agriculture or low-level commercial ventures.
Culture
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Language: English, Samoan
Religion: Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic and Methodist), traditional Samoan religion
Beliefs: Elders must be respected, Extended families
Customs: Recognized time for prayer (Sa), No shoes permitted when entering a fale
Religion: Christianity (mostly Roman Catholic and Methodist), traditional Samoan religion
Beliefs: Elders must be respected, Extended families
Customs: Recognized time for prayer (Sa), No shoes permitted when entering a fale
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Common food items found in Samoa are oka, supoesi, and fausi. Coconut plays a very important role in almost all Polynesian foods. Oka is raw fish marinated with lemon juice, coconut milk, salt, and onions. Supoesi is hot soup made for breakfast. It has pawpaw and coconut milk. Fausi is a desert made out of baked pumpkin and caramelized coconut milk. Most foods are cooked on an umu, which is oven like structure made out of dirt, rocks, and other materials from the earth.
Current Issues
There aren't that many current issues in Samoa. The only issue would be natural disaster destruction. Samoa is prone to tsunamis and soil erosion which can cost millions of dollars in damage to the islands.