SAMOA

SAMOA / SĀMOA.

Inauguration of Parliament.
Map of Samoa.
Third stamp in a set of 3, issued on 21.03.1958.
Face value: 1 New Zealand shilling.
Printing: Recess.

Catalogues
- Michel No. 111.
- Scott No. 222.
- StampWorld No. 120.
- Stanley Gibbons No. 238.
- Yvert et Tellier No. 163.

Samoa is an island country of Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean, of 2,842 km² (1,097 sq mi), formed by the islands of Savai'i and Upolu and eight islets: Apolima, Manono, Nu'ulopa, Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, Namua, Fanuatapu and Nu'usafe'e. The highest peak in the country is Mount Silisili, at 1,858 m (6,096 ft). The islands are of volcanic origin, and in Savai’i there are still active volcanoes.

The first inhabitants of Samoa are believed to have arrived around 3,000 to 3,500 years ago from Fiji. The first Europeans landed there in the early 18th century, but it wasn't until the 1830s that missionaries and merchants were established. Shortly after the death of King Malietoa Laupepa, who had ceded the island of Upolu to Germany in 1883, taking advantage of disputes over his succession, American and British warships bombarded the capital, Apia, on March 15, 1899. At the Tripartite Convention of Samoa it was agreed to grant Germany the Western Samoa (the islands of Upolu and Savai'i, the current State of Samoa), which was renamed German Samoa. The United States accepted Tutuila and Manu'a, which currently make up the territory of American Samoa. In 1914 German Samoa was occupied by New Zealand, which administered the territory with a mandate from the League of Nations until the country gained independence on January 1, 1962.

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Thanks to Mike Swanson for his contribution.