User:Ecgates/sandbox

Background
Samoa, an island located in the South Pacific Ocean, is part of the region of Polynesia. Known as both the Independent State of Samoa and Western Samoa, this country is broken up into six islands. As a member of the United Nations, the country is continually becoming more developed and being frequented more by international tourists and visitors.

Land and Climate
Given its tropical climate, the weather in Samoa is hot and humid year round. Temperatures average between 75 and 86 degrees Fahrenheit (24-30 Celsius) all year. Due to its location, trade winds cool off the afternoons and evenings in the eastern part of the country. While the temperature stays the same throughout the year, seasons are separated into wet and dry seasons. The wet season, from November to April has frequent rainfall.

There are four inhabitated islands; the two most developed and populated ones being Upolu and Savai’i. Savai’i is larger but has a smaller population due to the volcanic landscape. Upolu is the most developed, and therefore most populous, island. The other two inhabitated islands are Apolima and Manono are located between the two main islands. The five other islands do not have any humans settled on them but can be found flourishing with amazing plant and wildlife.

Samoa’s volcanic islands grow older as you travel eastward. Savai’i has had an eruption in the past two centuries. Savai’i has been formed by layers of lava building up over time. Samoa’s geographic elements are not only limited to volcanoes, however. There are areas filled with tropical rainforests, waterfalls, white sand beaches, and lagoons.

History
The oldest site of human settlement in Samoa has been determined to date back to 1000 BC in the city of Mulifanua on the island of Upolu. There are pyramids and other historic ruins that can still be found there. Towards the end of the 1700s, whalers and traders from Europe began to travel to Samoa. Through missionary work and Christian influence, the country became largely Christian and remains that way today.

In 1898, Samoa’s King Malietoa Laupepa died and his rival, who was greatly disliked by both Britain and the United States governments, Mataafa, returned from exile and was elected king. The Germans greatly supported this action as they believed that Mataafa’s time spent on German warship in exile would lead to a greater probability that his actions as king would reflect their political and social goals. This led to a Samoan Civil War. Through the beginning, the Germans and Mataafa had the upper hand until Apia was atttacked by the US and British. On May 13, 1899, fighting stopped with a tripartite. Each side gave up their weapons and the monarchy was abolished. This treaty gave Germany control of the western Samoan islands; the US control of the eastern islands; and Britain removed themselves from Samoa while gaining the rights on Tonga and the Soloman Islands.

However, after the beginning of WWI, New Zealand captured western Samoa from Germany and was in control of the islands on behalf of the United Nations from 1918 to 1962 when Western Samoa became the first Pacific nation to gain independence. In 1997, the country became the Independent State of Samoa.

Population
The current population of Samoa is 197, 332. The population has been stable for the past couple of decades and is currently growing at a rate of 0.8% per year. Currently, 92.6% of the Samoan population is Samoan, 7% are Euronesias (which is a combination of European and Polynesian ancestry), 0.4% European. The largest cities are found on the coast with the largest one being Apia with a population of over 40,407 people. The vast majority of the population lives on the islands of Upolu and Savai’i.

Government
Samoa is led by the head of state, head of government, and a unicameral legislature, the Fono.

Head of State
The head of state is similar to a constitutional monarch. They are elected by the Fono for five year terms. There have been two instances in which heads of state have been elected and held the office for life. The head of state must agree to all new legislation that is passed.

Head of Government
The head of government is the prime minister. He is appointed by the head of state and must already be a member and have the majority support of the Fono. The Prime Minister selects twelve members of the Fono to be part of his cabinet and they become in charge of the executive government.

The Fono
The Fono consists of 49 members. 47 of these individuals are elected by the general population while the other two are elected by those who are not of native Samoan descent.

The Supreme Court
The Supreme Court is led by a chief justice and they deal with both civil and criminal matters. The chief justice also presides over the Court of Appeal which deals with appeals from lower courts. There are two district courts and one Land and Titles Court that deals with disagreements over land.

Economy
The majority of the labor force is involved in the fishing and agriculture industries. These industries make up almost 90% of the exports. The economy also relies on Samoans who have left the country to work in New Zealand and Australia and who will send portions of their income back to the country. Samoa is considered to be the 90th freest economy in 2018 and the government hopes to improve even more through deregulation, larger investments, and stricter fiscal discipline.

Agriculture makes up a little over 10% of the country’s GDP. They develop and export coconuts, nonu, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, and cocoa.

Tourism is responsible for 25% of the country’s GDP and is continually expanding. Samoa joined the World Trade Organization as the 155th member in May 2012 and, as of 2014, is no longer classified in the ‘least developed country’ status.

Language
While the main and official language of the country is Samoan (a Polynesian language), major cities and tourism locations often have many English speakers. However, if you are traveling to more interior or removed locations, locals will not speak English so a few important of phrases of Samoan would prove to be useful to tourists.

Religion
In 1830, Reverend John Williams arrived in the city of Savai’l and began to spread the Christian religion. Missionaries began to travel the islands of Samoa to teach the people and merge their traditional beliefs and the aspects of the Christian religion together. Today, the country of Samoa is almost entirely Christian and the people feel a great connection between their natural heritage and culture and religion. There are sects including the Congregational Christian Church, the Methodist church, Catholic groups, and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Samoan people take their religion very seriously. Around 6pm every day, there is a widespread call for prayers. Individuals return to their homes and pray with their families. More devote and remote villages take this very seriously and fine those who continue with normal life or try to drive through villages. Tourists who are not invited to take part in this event should find a place to quietly sit and wait until the signal sounds that the prayer period is over.

Food/Diet
A major part of the Samoan culture, the food and diet of the country are very important to the native people. Given its location, fish and seafood are the major source of protein while the tropical climate allows for the agriculture of many fruits and vegetables year round. The climate permits fresh food year round and main dishes that are difficult to find in other places of the world.

Usually, breakfast is fairly small. Fruit, bread, coffee, or tea make up the typical breakfast. Historically, lunch was the largest meal and many returned home to eat with their families. As time has changed and more people spend their days at work and school, culture has shifted to give more importance to dinner. A typical dinner includes fish, chicken, vegetables, soups, or rice. The meal is usually large enough that there is plenty for breakfast and lunch the next day. The most important meal of the week is on Sunday. Umu is a large meal where families and sometimes the whole village will come together and share pig, taro, rice, and other traditional foods together.

Traditional food

 * Oka--raw fish marinated in a mixture of lemon juice, coconut cream, and onions


 * Palusami--taro, coconut cream, and onions wrapped in taro leaves and cooked over the fire
 * Corned Beef
 * ‘Ava--a native drink that is at every event in Samoa. Brewed from the roots of a plant, this drink has almost narcotic type effects.

Dining Customs
Dining courtesies are much more formal than in many countries. Bringing a side dish or dessert is seen as offensive as it appears you are questioning the host’s planning capabilities. It is important to look at those around you and follow their lead as sometimes Samoan’s eat their food with their hands. It is also expected that you will only take one serving so take all of your food at once.

Greetings
When greeting strangers, it is polite to greet them with a smile and a handshake. Raising your eyebrows and smiling is also considered polite as it is a way to let the person know you acknowledge them. When greeting friends and family, you acknowledge them with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.

It is important to be respectful to elders and those who have titles in the Samoan community. Individuals should always greet others by using the correct title and while that is not always advertised, it is the responsibility of each person to know who they are meeting and approach them correctly in order to not come off as disrespectful.

Things to Avoid

 * Directing the bottom of your feet at someone.
 * Wearing shoes in someone's home.
 * Standing while others are sitting.
 * Wearing immodest or revealing clothing.
 * Interrupting religious or family time.
 * Laying down or spreading out in the presence of elders.

Holidays

 * New Year's Day
 * If you have the desire to celebrate New Year's before any of your friends, Samoa is one of the first countries that enters the new year due to its geographic location.
 * Christmas
 * Mother's Day
 * Independence Day
 * A week filled with dancing, lots of large meals, speeches, and other community events celebrating the country’s independence. On the Saturday closest to the actual Independence Day, there is a fautasi race in which teams of dozens of men row long canoes.
 * Lotu-a-Tamaiti
 * Also known as White Sunday, this holiday happens the second Sunday in October. Considered a holiday to celebrate children, kids of all ages perform dances, plays, and quote scripture for parents and relatives. People dress in all white with accents of red and blue, the other colors on the Samoan flag.

Visa/Entry Requirements
In order to enter Samoa, tourists must have:


 * A valid passport
 * A tourist visa if planning on staying for over 60 days

There are currently no vaccination or currency restrictions placed on travel to Samoa.

Currency/Currency Conversion
The currency in Samoa is the Samoan tālā.

The current conversion rates are:

Key Tourism Development
The main niche markets for Samoa include adventure tourism and sun, sea, and sand tourism.

With many hiking trails, water sports available, and nature to look at, those seeking to connect with nature and experience adventures that may not be available at home are accessible and available in Samoa.

On the other hand, there is an opportunity to go and relax with the favorable climate and beautiful, tropical views if individuals are seeking a trip with more relaxation and opportunity to escape from the bustle of normal life.

Level of Tourism Development
There are different types of accommodations in Samoa, from beach side resorts to large hotels. A unique place to stay would be a Samoan fale, which is a beachfront hut with open sides and a thatched roof. These locations are for those seeking adventure or who want to stay as close to the beach as possible. Different styles of accommodations and the options available to tourists can be researched and booked on the country's travel website.

The government of Samoa has released a plan in order to improve and increase tourism development in the country. Some of their efforts include improving flights between them and Australia and New Zealand, improving technology such as WiFi and cell phone coverage around the islands, and implement renewable energy sources in order to create sustainable tourism.

Transportation Options
Given its small size, it is quite easy to travel all around Samoa in a car. It should be noted that Samoans drive on the left side of the road. Taxis are also available around the island but are not metered and a price must be agreed upon with the driver before the journey begins.

Buses are also an option for domestic travel. This is an inexpensive mode of travel and an easy way to experience the people and culture of the island. It is common to sit on each other’s laps on the bus when they get too full. Bus fares are paid at the end of your ride and you simply need to pull the cord at the top of the bus to signify you’d like to get off.

To travel between the different islands of Samoa, you’ll look for the passenger/vehicle ferry between Upolu and Savai’i, the main islands. The trip takes one hour each way and can fill up early.

Upolu
Experience the beauty of the Papapapai-Tai Falls that are in the middle of the jungle. There is also the To Sua Ocean Trench in which a historic lava tube has become a natural pool for many species of tropical fish. Swimming is available in these locations as you experience the wonder of Upolu.

Mount Matavanu
An active volcano in the early 1900s, Mt. Matavanu has become a place to hike and see the nearby countryside. The lava flow from those old explosions have let to a clearing that allows visitors to see for miles. Se'u, a sixty-two year old man who lives on top of the mountain, has made it his job to show the mountain to all those who visit. He teaches about the volcano and the history of the explosions while showing the area around the crater and has gained the nickname 'Da Crater Man'.

Piula Cave Pools
Located just forty-five minutes away from Apia, the cave pools in the village of Lufilufi provide clear, freshwater pools for visitors and locals to swim in. These pools were created as a result of an old lava tube. Part of the ground owned by the Methodist Chapel at Piula, there are certain rules for tourists, including:


 * Stay on the main road as you travel to the pools
 * Do not use alcohol or illegal drugs
 * Pay entrance fees (ST$3-5)
 * Must wear swimwear while swimming but must cover up once you leave the pool area
 * No fishing, diving, or jumping
 * Do not feed the fish
 * Be responsible; there is no lifeguard on duty

Swim with the Turtles
Tours to Savai'i often stop in the Satoalepai village which offers an opportunity to swim with green turtles. These animals were endangered until the community members decided to make their protection a priority. Once the turtles return to full health and maturity, they are released into the ocean. Swimming with the turtles can be done near Namu'a Island, on the southeast coast of Upolu.

Robert Louis Stevenson Museum
Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of classic tales such as Treasure Island and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, spent his last five years alive in Samoa. He was very involved in with the Samoan people and became revered and loved. His home is now the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in which patrons can walk through the family's home, see where he wrote his famous stories, and learn more about his impact on the country of Samoa. Nearby, visitors can take a walk through nature to visit Stevenson's burial site at the top of Mt. Vaea.

Alofaaga Blowholes
Located near the village of Taga on the island of Savaii, these blowholes shoot water hundred of feet up into the air. Locals will entertain tourists by throwing coconut into the blowholes and then watch them explode into the air. There is a small fee to enter the village that houses these blowholes and it is encouraged that tourists visit at high tide to experience this natural phenomenon at its peak.

Aganoa Beach
For those who search for a place to relax and enjoy the tropical nature of Samoa, Aganoa Beach provides a place for swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports. While this black sand beach is harder to access, there are both 4WD tracks and boat drop offs available.

Safety/Security Concerns
As there are some tensions between the country's government and some villages, it is suggested that visitors avoid demonstrations and large groups of people as these events can sometimes turn violent.

While relatively safe, petty crime and robberies can happen so it is important to be aware of your surroundings, watch your belongings, and lock your doors at night.

Environmental Concerns
Due to its location on the Ring of Fire, earthquakes, and sometimes tsunamis, are common in the area. It is important to be aware of emergency preparedness measures in order to protect your safety and know what to do in case of an emergency.

The monsoon season can cause increased mass movement and weather hazards including strong winds, large amounts of rain, and landslides.

Socio-Cultural Concerns
LGBTQ+ relationships are currently illegal in the country of Samoa and acts of public affection may result in fines or even arrest. As you are subject to the laws of the country in which you are visiting, it is important to be aware of the community's expectations and guidelines and to follow them accordingly in order to remain safe.

There are no reports of increased aggression or division between natives and tourists.

ARTICLE EVALUATION
It was interesting to see the side comments on the talk page. I never knew how much discussion and change went into each article and it was interesting to see how my town's Wikipedia page was altered throughout time. I think that it is a good article but more information could be added. I feel that there is a way to remain neutral but add more enticing and favorable information to the article in order to show the town in a better light. However, I like seeing how the talk page showed what people originally wanted to say and how it was altered to fit Wikipedia standards.

Tourism in Samoa, officially known as Independent State of Samoa (Samoan: Malo Saʻoloto Tutoʻatasi o Sāmoa), is an increasingly important sector in the country's economy.