They were the last to see the sun set, they will soon be the first to watch it rise. The people of Samoa, in central South Pacific will this leap in time without traveling into space: the country will change time zone at the end of the year. After the passage of the pipe on the right side to the left of the road, this change marks a new step in the reconciliation of the island with its neighbors, Australia and New Zealand.
This reform should indeed facilitate the commercial relations of the islands with its major trading partners: Australia and New Zealand together account for over half of imports from Samoa and more than 85% of its exports, mainly consisting of nuts coconut and fish, "says the Financial Times.
Currently, Samoa wakes twenty-one hours after Australia and twenty-three hours after New Zealand: "We lose two days a week, said the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. When it's Friday here is Saturday in New Zealand. And when we are in church Sunday, they have already started the week in Sydney and Brisbane.
" It is for similar reasons that Samoa had chosen their current time zone hundred and twenty years ago: at the time, their main trading partners were the United States and Europe, the islands being then four hours jet lag in San Francisco. The new time zone should also simplify the communication between Saoman and diaspora in Australia, according to a diplomat in Apia, the capital of Samoa, quoted by the Financial Times.
But "the change was not welcomed by everyone," notes the Financial Times: The Samoa Islands are no longer the land of the last sunset for tourists. But a new windfall presents itself: making the journey an hour of American Samoa to the other side of the zone, we can celebrate birthdays on consecutive days, says the Financial Times. 
This reform should indeed facilitate the commercial relations of the islands with its major trading partners: Australia and New Zealand together account for over half of imports from Samoa and more than 85% of its exports, mainly consisting of nuts coconut and fish, "says the Financial Times.
Currently, Samoa wakes twenty-one hours after Australia and twenty-three hours after New Zealand: "We lose two days a week, said the prime minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi. When it's Friday here is Saturday in New Zealand. And when we are in church Sunday, they have already started the week in Sydney and Brisbane.
" It is for similar reasons that Samoa had chosen their current time zone hundred and twenty years ago: at the time, their main trading partners were the United States and Europe, the islands being then four hours jet lag in San Francisco. The new time zone should also simplify the communication between Saoman and diaspora in Australia, according to a diplomat in Apia, the capital of Samoa, quoted by the Financial Times.
But "the change was not welcomed by everyone," notes the Financial Times: The Samoa Islands are no longer the land of the last sunset for tourists. But a new windfall presents itself: making the journey an hour of American Samoa to the other side of the zone, we can celebrate birthdays on consecutive days, says the Financial Times.
- Samoa Is Going Time Traveling (10/05/2011)
- Samoa jumps back to the future as clocks will go forward 24 hours (09/05/2011)
- Samoa leaps over International Date Line, be careful when booking a flight (10/05/2011)
- Samoans set to do some time travelling. (10/05/2011)
- Samoa to go Back to the Future, shifting date line (09/05/2011)
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