| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| ISO 3166 alpha-2 | WSISO 3166 [2024] |
| ISO 3166 alpha-3 | WSMISO 3166 [2024] |
| Capital | ApiaGeoNames [2024] |
| Continent | OceaniaGeoNames [2024] |
| Common name | SamoaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Official name | Independent State of SamoaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Local name | SamoaCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Etymology | the name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's nameCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Government type | Parliamentary republicCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Independence | 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National holiday | Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note: 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship, but it is observed in JuneCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Head of state | TUIMALEALI'IFANO Va'aleto'a Eti Sualauvi II (Head of State)CIA World Leaders [2025] |
| Currency code (ISO 4217) | WSTISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Currency | TalaISO 4217 Currency Codes [2026] |
| Administrative subdivisions | 11ISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Subdivision names | A'ana / Aiga-i-le-Tai / Atua / Fa'asaleleaga / Gaga'emauga / Gagaifomauga / Palauli / Satupa'itea / Tuamasaga / Va'a-o-Fonoti / VaisiganoISO 3166-2 Subdivisions [2026] |
| Historical overview | No authoritative open source found |
| National symbols | Southern Cross constellation (five five-pointed stars)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National anthem | title: "O le Fu'a o le Sa'olotoga o Samoa" (The Banner of Freedom); lyrics/music: Sauni Liga KURESA; history: adopted 1962; also known as "Samoa Tula'i" (Samoa Arise)CIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| National colors | red, white, blueCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
| Citizenship rules | citizenship by birth: no; citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Samoa; dual citizenship recognized: no; residency requirement for naturalization: 5 yearsCIA World Factbook [2025] · 2026 archive |
the name's meaning and origin are unclear; some assert that it can mean "place of the moa bird" of Polynesian mythology, or it could be a local chieftain's name
description: red with a blue rectangle in the upper-left quadrant; on the rectangle are five five-pointed white stars that represent the Southern Cross constellation meaning: red stands for courage, blue for freedom, and white for purity
Source: CIA World Factbook (Historical Archive — final edition) · CC0 · Edition 2026-05
