Independent State of Samoa

**Definition:** An island group and constitutional monarchy in the southwest central Pacific Ocean. The capital is Apia. The islands were jointly administered by England, the United States, and Germany 1889-99, with the chief islands of Savai'i and Upolu recognized as German until 1919. Western Samoa gained independence in 1962 and assumed its present formal name in 1997.

**Tree numbers:** - Z01.639.760.815.800.400 - Z01.678.101.815.800.400

**Synonyms:** - Samoa, Independent State - Western Samoa