PRAYING FOR THE WORLD Economy: The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from ONE COUNTRY AT A TIME overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP “God so loved the world…” shouldn’t we? of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The Samoa manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Information compiled by Jessica Marshall Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less June 20, 2021 Source: CIA World Factbook than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013. Religion: Protestant 54.9% (Congregationalist 29%, Methodist 12.4%, Assembly of God 6.8%, Seventh Day Adventist 4.4%, other Protestant 2.3%), Roman Catholic 18.8%, Mormon 16.9%, Worship Centre 2.8%, other Christian 3.6%, other 2.9% (includes Baha'i, Muslim), none 0.2% (2016 est.) Overview: New Zealand occupied the German protectorate of Western Samoa at the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It continued to administer the islands as a mandate and then as a trust territory until 1962, when the islands became the first Polynesian nation to reestablish independence in the 20th century. The country dropped the "Western" from its name in 1997. The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, tourism, agriculture, and fishing. It has a nominal GDP of $844 million. Agriculture, including fishing, furnishes 90% of exports, featuring fish, coconut oil, nonu products, and taro. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products. Industry accounts for nearly 22% of GDP while employing less than 6% of the work force. The service sector accounts for nearly two-thirds of GDP and employs approximately 50% of the labor force. Tourism is an CAPITAL: Apia expanding sector accounting for 25% of GDP; 132,000 tourists visited the islands in 2013. LOCATION: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about halfway between Hawaii and New Zealand Prayers for: Population: 204,878 (July 2021 est.) • The country is vulnerable to devastating storms. • External debt is approximately 45% of GDP. .