Trivia in Samoa

Learn fascinating facts and trivia about this country

Oceania / Oceania

National symbols

Flag: A flag depicting the Southern Cross with five white stars in a blue canton on the upper left of a red field

Samoa Flag

Emblem: A coat of arms featuring a shield with the Southern Cross surrounded by a laurel wreath and cross, with the national motto 'Samoa is Founded on God' below

Samoa Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • Rare example of switching automobile traffic direction from right to left in 2009
  • Moved to the west side of the International Date Line in 2011 and December 30 disappeared
  • ccTLD '.ws' is sold worldwide as an abbreviation for 'WebSite'
  • Rugby representative 'Manu Samoa' is a world-class powerhouse compared to population size
  • Robert Louis Stevenson spent his later years and his grave is also there
  • Remittances from overseas Samoans account for over 25% of GDP
  • Traditional fale houses have no walls designed not to block wind and people
  • One of the countries to welcome the new year earliest in the world
  • Cheers in Samoan is 'Manuia!'
  • The capital Apia is one of the oldest modern cities in Polynesia

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