Samoa

One of the most breathtaking sights in Samoa is the beautiful Aleipata district where waterfalls and white-sand beaches dominate the landscape.

Western Samoa has proved to be one of the last undiscovered frontiers for wonderful uncrowded diving. With warm, clear waters offering visibility of between 15 and 50 metres and temperatures ranging from 25 to 30 degrees centigrade, a wet suit is not required.

Understanding The Geography

Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, is a country comprising a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Previous names were German Samoa from 1900 to 1919, and Western Samoa from 1914 to 1997. It was recognized by the United Nations on 15 December 1976 (UN members) as Samoa. The entire group was known as Navigators Islands before the 20th century because of the Samoans' excellent seafaring skills.

The country is located east of the international dateline and south of the equator, about halfway between Hawai'i and New Zealand in the Polynesian region of the Pacific Ocean.

The Samoas are of volcanic origin, consisting of the two large islands of Upolu and Savai'i. Which account for 96% of the total land area, and eight small islets: Manono, Apolima, Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, Namua, Fanuatapu, Nu'usafe'e, and Nu'ulopa. While all of the islands have volcanic origins, only Savai'i has had recent eruptions and could be considered volcanically active.

Climate Conditions

The climate is tropical with a rainy (and tropical cyclone) season from October to March and a dry season from May to October. It has an average annual temperature of 26.5°C. This makes it a suitable winter vacation destination for southern hemisphere countries.

Understanding The Culture

The fa'a Samoa, or traditional Samoan way, remains a strong force in Samoan life and politics. Despite centuries of European influence, Samoa maintains its historical customs, social and political systems, and language, a Polynesian language.

Samoans are a typically open, friendly, welcoming, and physically good-humoured people with great pride in their culture, traditions, history, and nationhood. Samoan hospitality and generosity is the stuff of legend.