17 July 2012 Last updated at 09:35 ET

Samoa profile

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media
• Timeline

The Independent State of Samoa, known as Western Samoa until 1997, is made up of nine volcanic islands, two of which - Savai'i and Upolu - make up more than 99% of the land.

It was governed by New Zealand until its people voted for independence in 1961. It has the world's second-largest Polynesian group, after the Maori.

At-a-glance

• Politics: The governing Human Rights Protection Party has been the dominant party in the country since 1982
• Economy: The economy is heavily dependent on agricultural exports, tourism and financial assistance from Samoans living abroad
• International: Samoa continues to maintain close ties with former colonial power New Zealand, which is still its main trading partner

Country profiles compiled by BBC Monitoring

Samoa's deeply conservative and devoutly Christian society centres around the extended family, which is headed by an elected chief who directs the family's social, economic and political affairs, and the church, which is a focus of recreational and social life. Many Samoan villages hold up to 20 minutes of prayer curfews in the evenings.

The economy revolves around fishing and agriculture, which is vulnerable to cyclones and disease.

Attempts at diversification have met with success. Tourism is growing, thanks to the islands' scenic attractions and fine beaches. Offshore banking spearheads an expanding services sector. Light manufacturing is expanding and has attracted foreign investment.

In a major development for its trading status, Samoa joined the World Trade Organisation in 2012.

Despite this, many younger Samoans are leaving for New Zealand, the US and American Samoa. Money sent home by Samoans living abroad can be a key source of household income.