 |
| Government type | Parliamentary democracy |
| Head of State |
Head of State: His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (since June 20, 2007) Head of Government: Prime Minister Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi |
| Independence | 1 January 1962 (from New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship) |
| Constitution | Adopted August 1960, came into force at independence |
| Legal system | based on English common law and local customs; there is a judicial review of legislative acts with respect to fundamental rights of the citizen; it has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction |
| Suffrage | universal , age 21 years |
| Administrative divisions | 11 districts: A'ana, Aiga-i-le-Tai, Atua, Fa'asaleleaga, Gaga'emauga, Gagaifomauga, Palauli, Satupa'itea, Tuamasaga, Va'a-o-Fonoti and Vaisigano |