Districts of Samoa

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Samoa

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Politics and government of
Samoa



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[edit] Political Districts

Samoa is made up of eleven itūmālō (political districts). These are the traditional eleven districts that were established well before European arrival. Each district has its own constitutional foundation (faavae) based on the traditional order of title precedence found in each district's faalupega (traditional salutations).

The capital village of each district administers and coordinates the affairs of the district and confers each districts' paramount title, amongst other responsibilities. For example, the District of A'ana has its capital at Leulumoega. The paramount title of A'ana is the TuiA'ana. The orator group which confers this title – the Faleiva (House of Nine) – is based at Leulumoega. This is also the same for the other districts. In the district of Tuamasaga, the paramount title of the district – The Malietoa title – is conferred by the FaleTuamasaga based in Afega.

[edit] Overview of Political Districts

Political Districs of Samoa
Nr. District Capital Area
(km²)
Population
(Census 2001)
Upolu (including minor islands)
1 Tuamasaga Afega 479 83,191
2 A'ana Leulumoega 193 20,167
3 Aiga-i-le-Tai1) Mulifanua 27 4,508
4 Atua2) Lufilufi 413 21,168
5 Va'a-o-Fonoti Samamea 38 1,666
Savai'i
6 Fa'asaleleaga Safotulafai 266 12,949
7 Gaga'emauga3) Saleaula 223 7,108
8 Gaga'ifomauga Safotu 365 4,770
9 Itu Asau Asau 178 6,643
10 Satupa'itea Satupa'itea 127 5,556
11 Palauli Vailoa i Palauli 523 8,984
  Samoa Apia 2,831 176,848
1) including islands Manono, Apolima and Nu'ulopa
2) including the Aleipata Islands and Nu'usafe'e Island
3) smaller parts also on Upolu (Salamumu (incl. Salamumu-Utu) and Leauvaa villages)

[edit] Exclaves of Political Districts

Note that several districts include multiple exclaves:

  • Gaga'emauga: besides the main part on Savai'i, there are two small exclaves on Upolu (Salamumu (incl. Salamumu-Utu) and Leauvaa villages) – this is the only district with areas on both main islands
  • Satupa'itea: consists of two separate areas on the south side of Savai'i
  • Palauli: consists of two separate areas on the south side of Savai'i
  • A'ana: besides the main part, there is a small exclave (Satuimalufilufi village)
  • Va'a-o-Fonoti: besides the main part, there is a small exclave (Faleāpuna village)
  • Aiga-i-le-Tai: includes the islands Manono, Apolima and Nu'ulopa
  • Atua: includes the Aleipata Islands and Nu'usafe'e island

[edit] Electoral Districts

The itūmālō are further subdivided in 41 faipule districts, which have no administrative function but serve mainly as electoral constituencies (see Electoral Constituencies of Samoa). Besides, they serve as regional units for statistics.

The faipule electoral districts are based loosely on the traditional sub-districts of the Itumalo. For example, the faipule district of Anoama'a i Sisifo (Anoama'a West) and Anoama'a i Sasa'e (Anoama'a East) is based on the traditional sub-district of Anoama'a in the northern half of the Atua district.

[edit] Villages

At the local level, there are 265 villages. Additionally, there are some 45 villages the capital Apia is composed of. Apia does not have a common administration, the local power rests with the constituent villages.

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