Independent state of Samoa. School encyclopedia

The first human settlements on Samoa dated by archaeologists to 1500 BC. This date is based on pottery finds found throughout the island. The first oral mentions appeared only after 1000 AD. Modern historians cannot explain what happened on the island in the period from 1500 BC to 1000 AD, but most likely there was a Great Migration at this time.

Before the arrival of Europeans in the early 1700s, the natives mixed with some tribes from Fiji And Kingdoms of Tonga. According to ancient legend, the people of the island have one ancestor in common with the Polynesians Tagaloa. Oral traditions record numerous battles between Samoans and neighboring inhabited islands, as well as intermarriages between Samoan women and Fiji and Tongan men. The close blood relations between these island states have survived to this day. At special holidays and cultural events, this kinship is specially emphasized.

Contact with Europeans began in 1722, when a Dutch navigator landed on the island. Jacob Roggeveen. But the relationship was very limited. Traders and missionaries paid attention to Samoa only 100 years after the discovery of the island. The first missionaries became convinced of the belligerence of the local residents. There were frequent armed skirmishes with the major naval powers of the time.

By the end of the 19th century. 3 countries began to lay claim to Samoa: Germany, Great Britain and the USA. Between 1881 and 1889, each colonialist used his own political and military methods to seize power over the island. The confrontation escalated into military clashes, but large-scale hostilities were avoided thanks to a strong storm that destroyed most of the US and German navy, which was already preparing for battle.

In the end, Samoa was divided into two parts - the eastern region went to the United States, and the western region to Germany. Britain ceded the island in exchange for other South Pacific territories.

The outbreak of the First World War “untied” the hands of New Zealand, which occupied the German-owned part of the island. Defeated Germany was forced to renounce its claims to Samoa, and the island was under New Zealand rule until 1962, when the western part of the archipelago gained independence.

Geography and climate

Samoa consists of two large islands Upolu And Savaii, which account for 99% of the total area of ​​the state, and 8 small ones. The total area of ​​the territory is 2,934 km2. The islands are of volcanic origin, so the terrain is mountainous with wide valleys surrounded by high gorges. The source that gave birth to all the islands of Samoa is the so-called " Samoa point", formed from a magnetic plume (hot mantle flow).

The highest point is on the island of Savaii and is 1,857 m above sea level. This island is the only one that is volcanically active. The banks are mostly flat; the main settlements of local residents are concentrated on them. The coast is indented with a large number of picturesque lagoons and coral reefs.

The average air temperature in Samoa is +26 C. From November to April, rain prevails here. The rest of the year the weather is dry. Strong winds occur all the time on the islands of the state, with wind speeds of 20-30 km/h with gusts of up to 50 km/h. Periodically invading tropical cyclones can bring even more destructive winds at speeds of 150-180 km/h. Notorious " hurricane of the century"was here in 1966 and brought a devastating hurricane to the island, when wind speeds exceeded 200 km/h.

Seismic activity in Samoa is not very high, despite the volcanic nature of the islands. Tremors are recorded constantly, but destructive earthquakes have not been observed for at least 300 years. True, the state often finds itself under the blows of destructive tsunamis and typhoons. The last strong tsunami hit the islands in 2009. It was caused by an earthquake that occurred in a subduction zone Kermadeca-Tonga. The tremors reached magnitude 8.1, and the height of the rising wave was 14 m. The total number of deaths exceeded 180 people, and the earthquake itself was recognized as the strongest in 2009.

Fauna and flora of Samoa

About 30% of all animals in Samoa are endemic (not found anywhere else in the world). The flora of the island is most richly represented. A large number of rare ferns, orchids, and shrubs grow in tropical rainforests.

There are not many local animals. With the arrival of Europeans on the islands, rats arrived here, which quickly filled the entire island in the absence of natural enemies. Traders brought cattle to Samoa, which are now the main mammal on the island.

The beaches of Samoa are home to fish that not only live in coastal waters, but also lay eggs in the sand. In general, coastal waters are extremely rich in fish and crabs. Among the fish there are also valuable commercial species - tuna, sharks, eels, swordfish, etc. Coral reefs are rich in rare exotic fish and shellfish.

Holidays in Samoa

Samoa is famous for its stunningly beautiful nature. Traveler from Russia Otto Kotzebue, who visited the islands in 1824, spoke with delight about the generosity of local nature, which clothed even the steepest slopes in greenery. Samoa has some of the most picturesque beaches. There are many of them here for every taste. Much of the coastline of Samoa's two major islands features long beaches of clean sand. Lush tropical vegetation reaches almost to the very edge of the water. Palm trees hang just above the surf, creating a “classic” look of a tropical paradise.

But Samoa is not only beaches, but also high waterfalls of wondrous beauty. They are located in the interior of the islands. Getting to them is not easy, but the time spent will be more than repaid by the stunning views. Walking around the islands on foot is not dangerous; of the animals potentially dangerous to humans, you may only encounter a local snake (in total, 1 species of snake lives here).

Another attraction of Samoa - lava caves, which are depressions in the earth's crust filled with fresh water. Some especially large caves have impressive depth. Since they are popular among tourists, local residents took care to make an easy approach to them, so that it would be convenient not only to go down into them, but also to get out.

About 100 thousand tourists arrive in Samoa every year. This figure is ridiculously small compared to other major Pacific resorts. The tourism industry alone accounts for 25% of the state's GDP. The infrastructure here is well developed, but the lack of great demand has set vacation prices much lower than other resorts. In Samoa there are no crowds of tourists and vacationers; the beaches are always half empty. There are generally wild beaches where you can spend the whole day in absolute solitude. Currently, Samoa is an ideal option for those who are looking for a calm, quiet holiday, and who do not care how luxurious the hotel is in which to stay.

Western Samoa is an almost untouched and quite amazing corner of our planet. It was here that the famous drama film “Return to Paradise” was filmed; it was in this paradise that the great writer R. L. Stevenson decided to retire from civilization and spend his last years.

With its coastline, volcanic landscapes and tropical forests, Western Samoa is a wonderful destination for outdoor activities and hiking.

You can use a boat or canoe to explore the island, sometimes this is the only way to reach some uninhabited islands and atolls.

Another, no less accessible way of transportation is a bicycle. You can have a great time cycling around the island of Savaii. Fishing is a good form of recreation, but it is not a cheap pleasure, since exclusive fishing rights in local waters belong to residents of coastal villages.

The official name of this state since 1997 is the Independent State of Samoa, before which it was simply called Western Samoa. The fact is that the group of Samoan islands is divided in two, an independent state is located on the western islands, and an American trust territory, the so-called American Samoa, is located on the eastern islands. This division was associated with the civil war, which split Samoan society into two parts at the end of the 19th century. The western part - the islands of Upolu and Savaii - was captured by Germany, and the eastern part - Tutuila and Manua - by the USA. During the First World War that unfolded in Europe, the German part of the archipelago was captured by New Zealand without any resistance from the Germans, and was subsequently forced to grant the Samoans limited self-government, and then independence. By the way, Samoa is the first state in the Pacific Ocean - not counting New Zealand - to gain independence. Eastern Samoa remains American to this day, and it is unlikely that it will ever be reunited with its western part. There are several good reasons for this, the main one being the reluctance of the Eastern Samoans themselves to leave US custody. Although American Samoa is not included in the United States, Eastern Samoans have an excellent opportunity to go to the United States and obtain full American citizenship there. If they join an independent Samoa, they will lose such a privilege.

Geographically, the Samoan Islands are located in the very center of Polynesia, practically at the crossroads of the trade routes of their America to Australia and New Zealand. The islands have a very mountainous topography and are of distinct volcanic origin. There is an active volcano on the island of Savaii, although it last erupted a hundred years ago, but it has not fallen asleep, and the next eruption can be expected at any moment. However, this volcano is small, and its eruptions did not cause any noticeable damage to the local economy. The climate in Samoa is tropical; the islands are often hit by cyclones, with wind speeds often reaching 150-200 km/h. Despite the fact that Samoa is very far from all continents - Asia, Australia and America - a very large number of different plants grow on the islands, more than a third of which are endemic, that is, they cannot be found anywhere else. In contrast to the flora, the fauna in Samoa is very poor - only 8 species of endemic birds are found on the islands, and 35 were introduced by Europeans, or came to Samoa from Australia and Asia in other ways. And although there are a lot of insects - mainly butterflies, there is only one species of snakes and 7 species of lizards - that's all that Samoa can boast in this regard. But the marine fauna around the islands is very rich. Turtles, crabs, shellfish and fish are found in abundance in Samoa.

On Upolu, which is the main island of the archipelago, you can visit the wonderful museum of the English writer Robert Louis Stevenson, the center of traditional Polynesian art, the Samoan village museum and, of course, Paradise Beach. Those who wish can enjoy the beauty of the ocean by scuba diving, take part in fishing or delve into the nature of the interior of the island. The only city in Western Samoa that is also the capital is Apia. Despite the banks, offices and eateries that should have given it a modern touch, the city has retained its national charm. Landmarks for walking around the city can be the clock tower and the memorial erected in honor of those killed in the Second World War. To the west of the tower is Flea Market - a market where you can find very diverse and even interesting goods. There are electronics, clothing, sipao - local fabrics that are traditionally dyed with leaf juice and bark, and, of course, coconuts and precious shells. There are many churches scattered around Apia, the largest of which is the Catholic Church, which is located on the city's shore. The smaller Anglican Church has beautiful stained glass windows, and the relics of the missionary, the Rev. John Williams, who was one of the first to come to these islands, rest in the Congregational Christian Church. Apia has three hotels, an observatory, small businesses and government offices. The villages of the coastal region stretch from the center to the west.

Stevenson's estate is located on the outskirts of the capital. Here is also the tombstone of the English writer. When Stevenson died, the islanders worked around the clock to cut a path to the top of the hill. They wanted to bury their beloved "tusital" - which means "storyteller" - the next day with full honors.

On the southern coast of Upolu, on the palm-fringed coastlines, it is pleasant to relax and unwind, enjoying the tranquility of these places. The best beaches are considered to be “Return to Paradise”, named after the film of the same name, the Matareva beach complex and a number of other wonderful and well-equipped places for a full-fledged beach holiday. They abound in quiet bays and small bodies of water that seem to be created specifically for snorkeling. To the east of Apia there are wonderful beaches with ideal places for swimming. Continuing along the coast, you can get to the eastern edge of the island and see the unforgettable reefs of the Aleipata region.

Another place worthy of attention is Lake Lanoto’o, also called Goldfish Lake. Today it is not very well known, but during the German occupation the lake was a popular vacation spot; officers and their ladies loved to relax here. Today, the strange green water of the lake is filled with schools of goldfish that swim to the shores in search of food. No one has yet managed to reach the bottom of Lanoto'o, although many attempts have been made. It is so deep that diving to its bottom is dangerous without special diving equipment.

Savai'i is one of the largest Polynesian islands, and at the same time the most sparsely populated, partly because it is home to the unpredictable Matawanu volcano, and a large part of the island is covered with frozen magma on which nothing grows. The island has largely retained its original charm, and is almost untouched by Western civilization, and the lifestyle of the inhabitants has undergone less changes than even on Upolu. And of course, there are plenty of amazing places to relax and dive. Tafua Rainforest, a wonderful rainforest reserve, is located on a stretch of coastline with caves, grottoes and lava fields. The lava fields were formed during the Matawanu eruption of 1902-1911, and today form a spectacular landscape. Those who wish can take an unforgettable walk around the crater.

Between Savaii and Upolu, right in the strait, is Manono Island. This is a very quiet place where residents of the noisy capital like to spend their holidays. The government is making a lot of efforts to preserve the fragile ecosystem here. West of Manono the island of Apolima is lost. It consists of petrified lava flows. And the only village, whose population is only about 150 people, can only be reached by one tiny passage from the sea. To travel to Apolima you will need an invitation from one of the residents and a chartered yacht or boat. Those who, having overcome all difficulties, visited this island, claim that they have never experienced greater isolation from the world in their lives.

In September, Western Samoa hosts its biggest festival, the Teuila Festival, which affects almost all the islands. Its program includes choral singing, fire dancing, the traditional Siwa dance, and of course the Fautasi boat race. The Divers' Festival takes place a month earlier; it is a very interesting festival, giving those who wish to try their hand at the best sites, where pearl shells can be found. From mid to late February, the Argungu Cultural Festival and Fisherman's Festival takes place on the Sokoto River. It is dedicated to fishing, but also features duck hunting and other aquatic competitions. In August, during the Pategi Regatta, there is a celebration that can probably be considered the most grandiose. The key point of this festival is a competition in long canoes, in which all the men of the clan often participate, this turns the competition into a struggle between clans, and gives the race a special spice.

The famous Scottish writer and poet Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the famous adventure novel “Treasure Island” and other historical and adventure works, lived, worked and died here.

Stevenson’s ballad “Heather Honey” is widely known in Russia, which is studied at school in S. Marshak’s translation.
Stevenson was a passionate traveler, although he suffered from a severe form of tuberculosis since childhood. He settled on the Samoan Islands in 1890, in the village of Vailima (4 km from the capital of Samoa, Alia), his villa is currently the Stevenson Museum.

Independent State of Samoa occupies the western part of the Samoan archipelago. The state is located on two large islands (Savai and Upolu) and eight small ones, of which only two are inhabited: Manono And Apolima. Samoa is washed on all sides by the Pacific Ocean. The islands of Upolu and Savai'i are separated by the Apolima Strait, which contains the small islands of Manono and Apolima, which are home to only 1% of the country's population.

State symbols of Samoa

Flag– is a red panel with an aspect ratio of 1:2 with the upper left quarter of a blue color, which depicts the white stars of the Southern Cross constellation. The flag was adopted on February 24, 1949.

Coat of arms– the foreground of the coat of arms is a stylized image of the Southern Cross constellation. The shield, which has a silver base, depicts green and white sea waves, a silver sky and a coconut tree with golden coconuts. The side of the shield is dark blue and white. The background of the shield features radial patterns connected by red concentric circles, flanked by olive tree branches. Above the shield is a dark blue and red and white Latin cross with red rays. At the bottom of the coat of arms is the motto: “FA"AVAE I LE ATUA SAMOA” (translated from Samoan: “God is the foundation of Samoa”). The coat of arms was approved in 1962.

Government of Samoa

Form of government- parliamentary republic.
Head of State– O le Ao O le Malo (chief), elected for 5 years. In fact, his position is presidential.
Head of the government- Prime Minister.
Legislature- unicameral parliament.

Territory– 2832 km².
Population– 188,540 people. 92.6% are Samoans and only 0.4% are Europeans. More than 70% of the population lives on the island of Upolu, 28% on the island of Savaii. The country is experiencing mass emigration, mainly to New Zealand, because... Young people have virtually no opportunities for self-realization.

Religion– 98% of Samoans are Christians.
official languages– Samoan and English. The Samoan script is based on the Latin alphabet.
Economy. Industry: forestry, light industry, food industry is developing. Agriculture: Cultivation and export of taro, coconut oil and milk, cocoa, bananas and copra. Only 35% of electricity is generated in the country.
Tourism is actively developing.

Currency– tala.
Education– literacy of the population is 98.6%. There are primary public and private church schools in the country, created by missionaries back in the 20th century, in which 3/4 of children aged 7-12 years study. Compulsory education. Teaching is conducted in Samoan, but English is intensively studied.

There are secondary schools (optional).
Special education is available at the College of Tropical Agriculture, the College of Commerce, and several trade and trade schools. Many receive higher education abroad, mainly in New Zealand.
Higher education in the country is available at the National University of Samoa, the University of the South Pacific, the Samoa Polytechnic University and the Ocean Medical University.
Sport– The most popular sports in Samoa are rugby and Samoan cricket. Professional wrestling, boxing, kickboxing and sumo are also popular. The country has competed at every Summer Olympics since 1984.

Famous people of Samoa

We have already mentioned the Scottish writer Robert Louis Stevenson.

Malietoa Tanumafili II Susuga (1913-2007)

Chief, head of state of Samoa. In 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II was the oldest head of state in the world. He led Samoa for 68 years.

David Tua (b. 1972)

Samoan professional boxer who competed in the heavy weight category. Bronze medalist at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.

Mark Hunt (b.1974)

New Zealand mixed martial artist and former kickboxer of Samoan descent. He is famous for his outstanding physical strength, knockout blow and “iron chin” - the ability to withstand the hardest blows to the head.

Nature of Samoa

The islands that make up Samoa are of volcanic origin, but only the island of Savai'i is volcanically active. The coastline is all indented by lagoons and coastal reefs.
Climate– humid tropical. The country is periodically affected by tropical cyclones. The most terrible and destructive for the country was the “hurricane of the century” in January 1966, when wind speeds reached 200 km/h.
The country has a water supply system, but due to poorly maintained water pipes, a lot of water is lost. There are many small rivers and waterfalls, except in the western part of Upolu and most of Savaii. Here the main sources of fresh water are groundwater and rainwater, although during the dry season the reservoirs often dry up. In many areas, the amount of water supplied is insufficient.

Flora Samoa is quite diverse and has about 775 plant species. Two-thirds of the islands' surface is occupied by tropical rainforests: an abundance of tree ferns, valuable species with very hard wood. Large-leaved myrtaceae (myrtle, cloves, guava, feijoa, tea tree and eucalyptus) and orchids are common.

Forests are located mainly on mountain slopes, while cultivated plantations predominate on the coast. On the tops of the highest mountains, forests give way to small forests and shrubs. 150 species of Samoan plants are used for medicinal purposes.

Fauna of Samoa relatively poor. Before humans appeared on the islands, bats lived on land and dolphins lived in coastal waters. Dogs and pigs were brought here by Polynesian sailors, and cattle and horses were brought here by Europeans. Well, the rats, of course, entered here with ships and settled throughout the archipelago.
Birds in Samoa are much more numerous: honeycreepers, weed chickens, pigeons, small parrots - in total, 43 species of birds live on the island, of which 8 are endemic, for example, the jagged-billed pigeon.

Poultry was introduced by Polynesians and Europeans.
There are especially many butterflies: 21 species. There are turtles and crabs.
There are a lot of fish in ocean waters, including valuable commercial fish (mullet, conger eels). And further from the shores there are sharks, tuna, mackerel, and swordfish. Coral reefs are rich in shellfish.

Sights of Samoa

Apia city

It is the capital and only city and port of the Independent State of Samoa. The city is located on the northern coast of the island of Upolu at the foot of Mount Apia. It stretches along the shores of a bay, separated from the open sea by a wall of coral reefs. The center of Apia is built up with European-style houses: with loggias, verandas, and shaded windows.
There are many churches in the city.

The largest church in Apia, the Catholic one, is built in the coastal area. Its height is 90 m.
Slightly smaller in size are the Anglican Church with beautiful stained glass windows and the Congregational Christian Church, where the relics of Reverend John Williams, one of the first missionaries on the island, rest.

The clock tower in the center of Apia is a memorial to the soldiers who died in World War II.

The government building was built in accordance with European standards.

National Museum of Samoa

There is a large collection of Aboriginal trade and household items: fishing boats and nets, ceramic dishes, stone hatchets and knives, various decorative items, mats, clothing and other examples of the cultural heritage of the Samoans.

Of particular interest are Aboriginal tattoos, which are still popular among the local population.

Samoan culture

The majority of the country's population lives in traditional oval huts (phale) - a roof made of pandanus or coconut palm leaves on wooden poles. There are no walls, but the openings between the pillars, if necessary, are covered with mats, which are rolled up and stored under the roof.

The floor is laid out with smooth large pebbles. Nowadays there are fales with an iron roof.
The main socio-economic unit of Samoan society is the community ( ainga), which consists of three to four generations of immediate male relatives and women who came to the community by marriage (on average 40-50 people). Members of the ainga jointly own the land and jointly perform all labor-intensive work.
Tattoos- a cultural phenomenon of the country. They differ: for men – tatau, they consist of complex geometric patterns placed from the knees to the ribs; for women - Malu, they are located from the top of the hips to just below the knees.

Traditional female Samoan dance - Siva. It is similar to Hawaiian hula: the dancers “tell” their “story” with smooth movements of their arms and legs to the beat of the music.

is a male Samoan dance in which rows of dancers perform quick synchronized movements to the beat of drums or rolled mats. Its name is translated from Samoan as “slap” because it involves slapping different parts of the body.

History of Samoa

Ancient objects found in Samoa archipelago Lapita cultures. This culture is considered by many archaeologists to be the progenitor of several cultures in Polynesia, Micronesia and several coastal areas of Melanesia. Currently, more than 2 thousand excavation sites have been discovered over more than 4000 km from the coasts and islands of Melanesia to Fiji and Tonga, the easternmost area is located in Samoa.
The Lapita culture is characterized by pottery - flat-bottomed or round-bottomed open bowls or goblets. Some of them had an ornament in the form of rectangular meanders, ribbons, connecting broken lines, triangles, and crescents. The ornament was applied using stamps that have not yet been found. There were also images of eyes, concentric circles, moldings of clay lumps, ribbons, and notches on the rims. The firing temperature of ceramic products was less than 850 °C.
The main type of economy was sea fishing and shellfish collection.
At the end of the 1st millennium BC. e. and in the 1st millennium AD. e. from Samoa the islands of Wallis, Futuna, Tuvalu, Tokelau, Pukapuka and other Polynesian islands were inhabited. There is an assumption that Samoa could have been Hawaiians- the legendary ancestral home of the Polynesians. The end of this culture is considered to be between 200-400 BC. AD, after which the non-ceramic period began.

This period is characterized by the absence of compact settlements; they arose during the period of contact with Europeans. The buildings consisted of residential houses, public buildings (large communal houses (fale tele) on platforms, open ceremonial grounds (malae) and houses of the gods (fale aitu). Residential and public buildings had rounded corners or were round. No burial mounds have been found in Samoa and open churches.
At the turn of the 1st and 2nd millennia AD. e. active contacts were established between Samoa and the surrounding islands. The ruling elite of Samoa, Tonga and Fiji entered into mixed marriages.
In the middle of the 17th century. Samoans traded in the region with Polynesians and Europeans.

Europeans in Samoa

The European discoverer of the islands was a Dutch traveler in 1722.

In 1768, a French navigator visited the archipelago Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who called it the Navigator Islands.

Jean-Pierre Franke "Portrait of Bougainville"
In August 1830 he began missionary work in Samoa John Williams. The Samoans were then considered a wild and warlike people; they had frequent clashes with Europeans, who until the end of the 19th century. used Samoa as a refueling station for shipping.
Germany, the USA, and Britain began to take an interest in the islands. In 1881, these three countries agreed to recognize the paramount leader Malietoa Laupepa as the Samoan king, but the local residents did not put up with colonial oppression. King Laupepa entered into open conflict with the Germans in 1885; in 1887 they overthrew him and sent him into exile, and proclaimed Tamasese king. The Samoans were heavily taxed. He stood at the head of the dissatisfied Chief Mataafa, which was very popular on the islands. The German consul ordered an attack from the sea on the villages of Mataafa's supporters.

The result was an 8-year civil war, in which Samoans, Germany, Britain and the United States defended their interests. The Berlin Treaty of 1899 divided the Samoan Islands into two parts: the eastern group, now known as American Samoa, became a US territory; the western islands were called "German Samoa", and Britain ceased claiming the islands in exchange for the return of Fiji and some other Melanesian territories.

Samoa in the 20th century

On August 29, 1914, the New Zealand military took control of the islands, and from the end of the First World War until 1962, Samoa was administered by New Zealand.
In the early 1920s. The patriotic organization Mau (Opinion) was founded with the slogan “Samoa for Samoans”, against the mistreatment of the Samoan people by the New Zealand administration. The organization was led Olaf Frederick Nelson, is of half Samoan descent. They used the following forms of protest: non-payment of taxes, cessation of work on plantations, failure to comply with decisions of the colonial court, the creation of their own governing bodies, etc. Nelson was expelled from the country during 1920-1930, but continued to support the organization financially and politically.
December 28, 1929 was called “Black Saturday” because... new elected leader of the movement Tupua Tamasese Lealofi led the Mau to a peaceful demonstration in Apia, which was shot by New Zealand police. Tamasese was also killed. But the movement grew.
After World War II, Western Samoa was converted from a mandate to a trust territory of New Zealand, and reforms began. In 1961, a referendum was held - the residents of Western Samoa spoke in favor of independence. By agreement with New Zealand, she took upon herself the defense of Western Samoa and its representation in relations with foreign states. On January 1, 1962, Western Samoa became the first Pacific island nation to gain independence.
In July 1997, according to the country's constitution, the state from “Western Samoa” was renamed “Samoa”. American Samoa protested the renaming and still uses the terms "Western Samoa" and "Western Samoan" to refer to Samoa and its people.
Thus, the two Samoans belong to the same nation and have the same language, but there are cultural differences between them. Eastern Samoans are more likely to emigrate to Hawaii and the mainland United States, adopting some American customs such as American football and baseball. Western Samoans are more likely to emigrate to New Zealand, where rugby and cricket are more popular.

Reference

American Samoa(formerly Eastern Samoa) is an unincorporated unorganized territory not included in the United States in the South Pacific. The main island of Tutuila is part of the Samoan archipelago. American Samoa has a population of approximately 65,519 people. Area – 199 km².

Inhabited by Austronesian tribes approximately 2,000 years ago, the Samoan Islands served as one of the centers of formation of Polynesian culture, from where the development of numerous islands and atolls of the central Pacific Ocean began. By the middle of the 17th century, these exotic islands turned into a large trading center connecting the Polynesians who settled the entire region and European explorers actively penetrating the Great Ocean. Much of the early contact degenerated into bloody clashes between the newcomers and the islanders, and the Samoans earned a reputation as hostile and aggressive warriors. However, Christian missionaries who arrived on the islands discovered amazing loyalty and tolerance of the islanders, which they themselves explained by the fact that local sacred texts predicted the emergence of a new religion that would be more powerful and stronger than the old gods. The power and wealth of the “palagi” (literally “arsonists of the skies”, as the Samoans nicknamed the Europeans) were quite obvious, and Christianity quickly took root in the souls of the local residents. Even today, the Samoan Islands carry the unofficial title of the "Bible Belt of the Pacific."

By the end of the 19th century, Great Britain, the USA and Germany made considerable efforts to gain control of these strategically important islands. However, at the same time, the warships of the three sides gathered in the harbor of Apia were hit by a powerful typhoon, whose waves simply sank them all, except for the British frigate Calliope. As a result of the subsequent negotiations, the archipelago was divided into two parts - its western part - modern Independent Samoa - went to Germany, Eastern Samoa came under US rule, and the British, oddly enough, returned home empty-handed.

Germany made the classic colonial mistake of ignoring local customs and the authority of tribal leaders, and soon the local people formed a powerful resistance movement, the Mau, whose ideology was not political independence, but the preservation of traditional culture and way of life. The outbreak of the First World War gave Germany many other problems besides the unruly islands, and after its defeat Western Samoa came under the control of New Zealand. The change of home country meant little to the Mau movement and the majority of Western Polynesians who continued to fight for independence. Finally, in 1961, the islands came under the trusteeship of the UN, and on January 1, 1962 they received full independence.

Unlike its neighbor, American Samoa, which remained under US protectorate, Independent (Western) Samoa is a corner of the Earth little touched by civilization. Here, among the high mountains and small reefs, you can find first-class beaches, see colorful Polynesian villages and get acquainted with many ancient traditions. It is not for nothing that the film “Return to Paradise” was filmed on the so-called “Paradise Beach”, and R. L. Stevenson, the author of the immortal “Treasure Island”, already a great writer, left civilization to spend the rest of his years in Samoa.

Apia

The capital of Independent Samoa, its largest port and the only place on the islands that can be called a city, Apia lies on the shores of the harbor of the same name on the northern coast of the island of Upolu, at the mouth of the Vaisigano River. From the south, the city limits are supported by Mount Vaea (472 m) and two mountain ranges on both sides of the river valley, and from the north, a long cape protrudes into the waters of the bay, built up with quite modern shopping complexes and offices. For all its modern features, such as banks, offices and American-style eateries, the city still clearly retains the charm of its long history.

Mulinuu, the old ceremonial capital of the islands, still occupies the western part of the modern city. It is home to Fale Fono (Parliament House) and the old observatory, which today serves as the office of the local weather station. The clock tower in the center of Apia, a memorial to the victims of World War II, is considered a landmark for all walks in the city center. To the west of the tower is the large Flea Market, which sells all sorts of goods from around the world, from cheap clothing and electronics to traditional local "siapo" (leaf and bark-dyed fabrics), precious shells and coconuts. Directly opposite it, at the very coastline, stretches a small Fish Market, where fishermen bring their catch, and to the southwest, among the city blocks, lies the Fruit Market, whose specialization is also clear from the name. The new Maketi Phou market is located in the inland region of Fugalei, where it is believed to be much more protected from typhoon impacts than the old markets located near the coast.

The center of Apia is built up with one- and two-story European-style houses, above which church bell towers rise. The city has three hotels, many small businesses, numerous offices of foreign companies and banks, as well as government agencies of the country, which, by the way, look quite modest. One of the traditions of the capital is the morning Police Parade, which precedes the ceremony of raising the national flag on government buildings. Almost all traffic on the streets at this moment freezes, since Samoans take their sovereignty quite seriously, and many of them line up along the side of Beach Road and sing the anthem (however, this often happens in homes or right at their workplaces).

There are many old colonial buildings scattered throughout the city, but the most colorful of them is the courthouse, which today houses a good historical museum on its top floor. Apia's main street is Beach Road, which follows the quaint curves of the wide, tidy harbour. The Little Samoan Museum on Beach Road contains a collection dedicated to Samoan culture and relics of the past.

There are a large number of churches scattered throughout the city and around it, the largest of which is considered to be the Catholic Church, located right on the city shore. The Anglican Church, although smaller, has beautiful stained glass windows, and the Congregational Christian Church contains the relics of the Reverend John Williams, one of the first missionaries to come to the islands. In 1977-1983, another religious object was erected in the historical center of the capital, which is the legitimate pride of the islanders - the Apia Samoa Temple complex.

The capital's only beach area lies 200 meters from the city center in Vaiala. There is also a small marine reserve called Palolo Deep Marine Reserve, within which snorkeling is permitted. Its main attraction is a deep blue cave between two coral reefs inhabited by countless tropical fish. Also worth a visit is the oval pond and the spring that feeds it with water at the Piula Cave, which lies on the territory of the Theological College and Methodist Church in Fatoumea.

From the center of the capital to the west stretches a series of neat villages of the coastal region, rising up the valleys and hillsides. Just 4 km from the city center along Beach Road lies the suburb of Vailima ("wallima" or "vailima" is the Samoan name for one of the varieties of jumping spiders), which houses a local shrine - the estate of the famous English writer Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived on the island for the rest of his life. of your days. Lying at the rear of the estate, almost at the top of Mount Vaea, the tombstone of the famous writer looks out over the town, the white edge of the reef and the distant horizon. After the writer's death, the islanders worked 24 hours non-stop to cut a path to the top of the hill so that the body of their beloved "tusital" ("storyteller", as they respectfully called Stevenson) could be buried the next day with full ceremonial honors. Stevenson’s elegy is engraved on the tombstone, his favorite two lines: “The sailor’s home is in the sea... And the hunter’s home is in the hills.”

Upolu Island

Upolu Island (1120 sq. km) is located 13 km southeast of Savaii Island, on the other side of the Apolima Strait. The island is quite mountainous; the Upolu ridge, formed by the slopes of numerous extinct volcanoes, stretches along its entire length. The northern and eastern parts of the island are elevated and strongly dissected by numerous mountain ridges and gorges, while wide plains extend to the northwest. Exploring Upolu is quite easy, since its entire coastline is surrounded by a good road, and several others radiate through the center of the island, connecting Apia with the southern coast (the entire island can be driven around in just 4-5 hours). Here you can visit the Stevenson Museum, numerous centers of traditional Polynesian art and the Samoan Village Museum, relax on the famous "Paradise Beach", scuba dive, take part in ocean fishing or get to know the nature of the island's interior.

North of the island

The road along the northern coast runs along numerous bays and mountain ranges. The area's many valleys and waterfalls form a breathtaking landscape, and there are even some nice coastlines and beaches. The spectacular and remote Fagaloa Bay region, with its tiny Albatross Island, isolated valleys and traditional villages, is the perfect place to immerse yourself in the local culture. After the picturesque Falefa Falls (65 km from the capital), the road again reaches the coast at Utuloa Point, considered one of the most beautiful places on the Samoan Islands, passes through the colorful villages of Taelefaga and Uafato and ends in the no less pretty village of Salele. Uafato Forest Reserve is considered one of the last areas of natural rainforest in Independent Samoa and one of the best places for bird watching. The region is also famous for its woodcarvers, so the village of Loi in Sinas Beach Fales is worth a visit. The main highway bypasses this remote area and heads inland through the chaos of mountains around La Mafa Pass, offering superb mountain and coastal views.

Lake Lanotoo(or Goldfish Lake), located near the capital, is currently quite little known, although this was not always the case. During the German occupation of the Samoan Islands, the lake was a popular place for picnics and entertainment. Entire processions of young women, covered in the fashion of the time with beach umbrellas, were escorted to the lake by German officers or sophisticated European gentlemen - Lanotoo was something of a promenade, a favorite place for relaxation and flirtation for many wealthy Europeans. Today, the lake's waters are a strange green color and filled with wild goldfish, which still gather around the lake's shores, still waiting for handouts from people. The lake has a strange charm, partly due to its amazing green color and hordes of goldfish, partly due to the fact that no one has ever been able to reach the bottom of the lake, despite numerous attempts. The Baha'i Temple rises nearby, serving as a landmark when driving to the lake - the old road is almost overgrown, and these days you can only get here on foot. And 2 km to the south you can see the hundred-meter waterfall Papapapai-Uta, or Tiavi Falls.

Southeast coast

The southeastern shore of Upolu is one of the most popular tourist spots on the island. Here you can find numerous beaches with excellent swimming and snorkeling conditions, framed by the jagged mountains of the surrounding mountains. Four uninhabited islands rise off the coast Aleipata with protected seabird nesting areas and rich marine life. The village deserves a stop Lalomanu opposite Nuutele Island, famous for its breathtakingly beautiful white sand beach and shallow turquoise lagoon where you can snorkel (the area is considered the best snorkeling spot on the island, so is often crowded with holidaymakers on weekends). There is a whole series of small resorts and restaurants here, and each of the beaches (there are four in the area around Lalomanu) differs from its neighbor only in size. Nearby is the Fuipisia waterfall, 55 meters high.

The coast between Lalomanu and Saleapaga is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the island, replete with magnificent panoramas of mountain ranges and isolated wild beaches. Particularly good are the beach areas near Boomerang Creek, the sandy Faofao beach in the village of Saleapaga, and the isolated and somewhat unusually designed beach in Vava'u (traditional Polynesian houses with leaf-covered roofs here have replaced structures made of corrugated iron and wood, which are quite urban by local standards, but neither the beach itself and the service were not affected by this). From the walls of the Lalomanu hospital, a short path begins to a long-extinct volcanic crater, within which a large colony of flying foxes lives.

The main highway immediately after the beach area turns inland and after a few kilometers comes out to the picturesque Sopoaga waterfalls, falling from a height of 60 meters into a small green valley. Another natural monument of these places with the funny name Papassea Sliding Rock (“Papassea moving the rock”) is also interesting - a cascade of five-meter waterfalls rolling directly into a common reservoir, lost along the banks in the intricacy of the jungle.

South coast

The southern coast of Upolu Island is a string of sparkling beaches surrounded by palm trees where you can lie and enjoy the tranquility of life in this idyllic place. This is one of the most breathtaking areas of Independent Samoa with beautiful reefs, turquoise blue water and stunning beaches all around. In the very heart of the southern coast you can find many remote and quite “wild” shores, among which the popular resort area of ​​Maninoa Beach stands out in contrast with an elegant shallow sandy lagoon, on the territory of which there are two luxury resorts and several quite affordable private beaches. A string of traditional Samoan villages stretches along the road - a good place to get acquainted with local customs and way of life.

Returning to the coast from Sopoaga Falls, the main road passes numerous traditional villages. One of the most popular tourist areas here is the village of Lliili, around which you can visit the O-Le-Pupu-Pue National Park with many hiking trails passing through a small rainforest, the cozy and isolated Mativa Treehouse opposite the tiny coral island of Nuusafee, which can be reached by boat (the strait between the island and Utola is considered an excellent place for surfing), Togitogiga waterfalls (the reservoirs located here are one of the few places on the island where you can swim in fresh water, there is even a shower, which is unusual by local standards) and nearby Peapea Cave and two nature reserves, as well as the black volcanic sand beach at Aganoa, which can only be reached on foot or by jeep. Nearby, in the village of Siumu, you can see an unusual beach with red sand.

The most picturesque area of ​​long isolated coastlines stretches along the southwestern coast from Saanapu to Lefaga. 6 km from Saanapu is the famous Paradise Beach(Paradise Beach) is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South Pacific, and around the village itself there is a long strip of protected mangrove forests, the Saanapu Wetlands Retreat, which can only be explored by boat hired from any of the local villages. Also noteworthy are the picturesque Virgin Cove Bay with its isolated beach (however, there are several traditional restaurants and cafes), the resort areas around the village of Salamumu, the popular surf resort of Samoana (it is believed that the best instructors in this sport work here), and Matareva Beach is also quiet.

West Coast

The west coast of Upolu may offer a huge number of quiet fishing villages, luxurious trekking and windsurfing conditions, but there are almost no coastlines and tourist infrastructure.

The northwestern coast of Upolu between Falealo Airport and Apia is the most densely populated area of ​​the country, with an almost endless string of villages and plantations. Here you can find many picturesque churches or natural pools right next to the rocky coastline, explore several ancient volcanic calderas "tafua", sail along the coast on a traditional Samoan catamaran canoe, watch everyday village life or get a tattoo so characteristic of this place, but no There are no accommodation facilities or beach areas here.

Savai'i Island

Savaii is one of the largest and one of the least populated islands in Polynesia. This virtually untouched and ancient island, little exposed to the influence of modern civilization, has long been considered a real reserve of Polynesian culture - the inhabitants of Savaii have retained their way of life even more traditional than on Upolu. Here you can find a huge number of first-class beaches that are good for swimming, snorkeling or other types of sea recreation, but most of them do not have any maintenance facilities and are in almost pristine condition.

The main attractions of the island are: the ancient mound of Tia Seu - the largest ancient structure in all of Polynesia (its height exceeds 12 meters), the Mu Pagoa waterfall between the villages of Puleia and Gautavai, the lava caves of Peapea (Letui) and Paia Dwarfs near the village of Paia ( the total length of each cave exceeds a kilometer), several good beaches and an ancient star-shaped ritual mound near Cape Mulinuu, the picturesque cone of Mount Silisili and the protected Aopo Cave at its foot, the famous volcanic cavern of Alofaaga near the village of Taga, the ancient village of Fagaloa (the local population believes that they are direct descendants of the first settlers of the island), the Falealupo lava tubes, located to the west of the reserve of the same name, can be compared in size with similar natural phenomena of the Hawaiian Islands, as well as the excellent Satihuatua beach with its colorful village church.

Tafua Rainforest Reserve, located near the coastal village of the same name, is considered one of the most beautiful and accessible rainforest reserves on the island. Situated on a stretch of coastline with the Matawanu lava fields, formed in the early 1900s when the Tafua volcano spewed lava almost continuously for nearly six years, it is replete with caves and grottoes. The impressive lunar landscape of the reserve is one of the “calling cards” of the island, and a walk around the crater of the volcano is one of the most attractive excursions in Samoa, since here you can not only see this riot of elements with your own eyes, but also take a couple of lava “souvenirs” with you on your trip. memory.

Another tropical forest reserve on Savaii, Falealupo has a unique natural feature - a green canopy over a gallery passage between majestic banyan trees, woven from thousands of tree branches. For a few extra tala here you can feel like Robinson and stop for the night right in one of the huge hollow trees that these places are rich in. An unusual local way of fighting for the protection of wildlife is the Aula program, organized by the local Women's Committee, during which wounded or weakened sea turtles are collected from the beaches of the island, carefully nursed and then released back into the sea.

Manono

The small volcanic island of Manono, lying in the Apolima Strait between Upolu and Savai'i, is almost unknown outside the country. On an island only 3 km across there are five small villages (about a thousand inhabitants, most of whom live here irregularly), there are absolutely no dogs, roads or vehicles, which completely guarantees absolute silence, broken only by the rustle of the wind in the crowns of palm trees and the measured roar of the waves . This is such a quiet and peaceful place that many residents of the rather noisy capital of the islands come here on weekends to relax. People here still live only in traditional "fale"(a canopy roof covered with leaves on pillars, walls missing or replaced with wicker mats) and enjoy a “semi-wild” lifestyle and an abundance of pure nature. The main historical monuments of the island are the so-called “Star Mound” on the top of Mount Tulimanuiva (110 m) and the ancient “Tomb of 99 Stones”, created, according to archaeological data, approximately in the 9th-11th centuries. n. e., during the era of mass settlement of Polynesians throughout the region.

There are many small cozy beaches on the island, many of which are framed along the shores by palm groves and equipped with small “fales” with carved balconies and steps. Most of them, like the famous Vaotuua Lagoon, are located on the western side of Manono. On the far side of the island, in the village of Apai, there is one of the most picturesque places on the islands - from the top of the nearest hill there is a unique panorama of the islands lined up - Manono itself, tiny Nuulop, the slightly larger Apolim and the high peaks of Savaii, as if framed by the blue waters of the strait and the azure of the sky.

The government of Western Samoa is also working hard to preserve Manono's fragile ecosystem and support environmentally friendly activities among its communities.

Apolima

Apolima Island is even more remote and inaccessible than Manono. It is located in the Apolima Strait, west of Manono, outside the barrier reef surrounding Manono and Upolu. Apolima is almost entirely composed of volcanic rocks from fossilized ancient lava flows - in fact, the entire island is a destroyed volcanic crater with steep cliffs of the outer ring and a small, relatively flat “patch” of the caldera. From the sea to the only village on the island, where only 150 people live (of which only 50-60 islanders live here permanently), there is only one narrow and rather difficult path, almost a pass.

This is one of the most untouched (how many times is this word used in relation to Samoa?!) places in Polynesia. The island lies off the main tourist roads, so to get here it is best to get an invitation from one of the villagers and then arrange a special yacht or boat charter from Upolu. But in the end, all the work will be more than rewarded - those who had a chance to visit Apolim claim that none of them have ever experienced a greater feeling of isolation from the world in their lives. And in combination with beautiful nature, coastal waters full of life and a healthy climate, this is worth a lot for a modern person who is tired of the “bounty of civilization.”

Other islands

An islet lying within the Upolu Reef Namua can offer a good sandy beach and good conditions for snorkeling. Fanuatapu- one of the uninhabited islands lying off the eastern tip of Upolu. It's a popular day trip destination for a casual picnic on the shore or a swim among the rocky reefs. Desert Island Nuulopa located on the west side of Manono and is sometimes used for picnics, snorkeling and easy outdoor recreation. Spectacular island Nuutele with its dramatically steep cliffs rises out of the water near Lalomanu, near the southeastern cape of Upolu. The island is uninhabited, but is famous for its wild beach, where sea turtles regularly lay their eggs. There is a tiny island nearby Nuulua, where seabirds nest. A relatively large and uninhabited island Nuusafee, lying off the southern coast of Upolu, is a popular destination for day trips and weddings.

Geography

The Independent State of Samoa occupies the western part of the archipelago of the same name in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two large islands - Savaii and Upolu, two small ones - Manono and Apolima and several other small islands. All islands are the tops of an underwater ridge of volcanic origin. The terrain is mostly mountainous, with a slope towards the shore, and there are many fast mountain rivers. Rocky, rugged shores alternate with wide beaches. The island has an active volcano, Matawanu (last eruption in 1911).

Residents of the Samoan islands celebrate the New Year among the last on our planet: near the borders of the state there is a conventional line of changing calendar dates, days of the week, months, years...

This line on the globe runs along the meridian of longitude 180° from Greenwich, between Asia and America along the Pacific Ocean, bypassing the land. Samoans are proud of their role as guardians of the “gates of time,” albeit conditional ones. But they also have grounds for unconditionally high self-esteem. Most ethnographers in the world believe that this small archipelago is the very core around which the entire Polynesian culture grew: myths, customs, traditions, way of life, ideas about beauty.

Story

Archaeologists date traces of the first human settlements on the islands of Upolu, Apolima, Savaii and Manono to two to two and a half thousand years. However, other scientists believe that these were not the ancestors of the current Samoans, but some other Austronesian tribes. Their real ancestors came in the 5th century. from the Bismarck Islands in Western Melanesia, and these were representatives of the Lapita culture. However, there is very little reliable information about the life of the Samoan archipelago before the arrival of Europeans; archaeological excavations here were carried out only sporadically and not widely. But if we take the legends and traditions of Samoa as the source of information, and (with reservations, of course), then according to them it turns out, and here all the legends agree with each other, that it was the Samoans who were distinguished among all Polynesians by their special belligerence. As many historical examples confirm, it is on the shoulders of victorious warriors that customs and traditions often come to the lands they conquered, in this case to the nearby Pacific islands and atolls. In this regard, linguistic versions of the origin of the name Samoa are also interesting. According to one of them, “Samoa” is an abbreviation of Sa-ia-Moa (“sacred to Moa”), and Moa was the son of the god of the universe Tagaloa. According to another version, more common among the islanders themselves, Samoa is nothing more than the “sacred center of the universe.” In fact, in the Samoan language one of the meanings of the word "moa" is "center". It is also translated as... “chicken” (more precisely, one of the local species of this poultry on some islands). But what does chicken have to do with it? And besides, the Samoans answer that where there is a chicken, there is a house. It is truth too.
XVII century provides more accurate evidence regarding the role of Samoa in Polynesia. By this time, the archipelago, the geographical center of Polynesia, also became a busy crossroads of trade and commodity exchange in the region. From time to time, merchant seafarers from more distant countries began to drop by the port of Apia. The discoverer of the islands among Europeans, however, is not a merchant, but a Dutch traveler, Jacob Roggeveen (1722). The Frenchman Louis Antoine de Bougainville, who arrived here in 1768, dubbed the archipelago the Islands of the Seafarers. His more famous compatriot, Jean-François La Perouse (1741-1788), also visited here. They were all surprised by how the seemingly wild islanders lived: they were clean, practical, and their handicrafts were simply excellent - both beautiful and durable.
In 1830, English missionary preachers John Williams and James Harris landed in Samoa. The Samoans greeted the reverend fathers friendly and were baptized willingly and in large groups. This was unexpected: the missionaries met with a completely different reception on other islands of the Pacific Ocean; let us clarify that both of them were eaten by cannibals in 1839 on the island of Eromanga in the New Hebrides archipelago (Vanuatu). It is believed that the Samoans were so loyal because in myths their gods always told them: the day will come when a new faith will come to you, which must be accepted with humility. And so it happened. And Samoa began to be called the “Bible Belt of the Pacific” in the world.
Germany, Great Britain and the USA looked at Samoa not as an outpost of Christianity in Oceania, but as a stronghold for their future influence in the region. On March 16, 1899, ships from all three countries entered Apia harbor almost simultaneously. And here you can’t imagine it on purpose - the elements intervened in the plans of the colonialists: under the blows of an unexpectedly powerful typhoon, only the British frigate Calliope survived. Well, the Americans and Germans said cynically but quickly: you, gentlemen, have no losses, therefore you do not need any compensation. For some reason the British did not object. Thus, the Samoan islands were divided between Germany and the United States. Their western part, now the Independent State of Samoa, went to Germany, and the eastern part, now American Samoa, to the USA (an unorganized territory not part of the country). With the outbreak of the First World War (1914-1918), Germany had no time for Samoa, and in 1914 it occupied former German Samoa, then, in 1920, with the sanction of the League of Nations, it made Western Samoa its protectorate. In 1961, the UN, being the legal successor of the League of Nations, terminated this mandate. On January 1, 1962, Western Samoa became an independent state; since 1997, this is not only the status, but also the name - the Independent State of Samoa. And not a kingdom at all, despite the fact that its first person is the monarch. This is where the uniqueness of the state and social system of Samoa begins, which at first glance is quite chaotic. But this is not at all the case; on the contrary, it is very slender, because it is based on local unshakable traditions.
So, the monarch is an elective position, but at the same time he is a tribal leader, or, in exact translation, “leader of the government”, elected for five years, but can be re-elected as many times as he likes. The government is formed by the party that wins the elections, its leader becomes prime minister. There is also a parliament. But the main organizing structure of the country is a system of communities comparable to a honeycomb, each of which consists of an average of 40-50 people. The head of the most noble community (aingi, or aigi) is at the same time the chief (matai) of the village, a larger element of this structure. Communities own all the land. The largest share of community income goes to health care and education. The result is clear: 98.6% of the Samoan population is literate. For higher education, young people go to New Zealand with community money. Many then stay there, but carefully send money transfers home. Villages also have their own courts. There are no appeals against their decisions and prohibitions. Law and order in your village comes first. Under the wing of the Samoan community from birth, the family receives an allotment of land in proportion to the number of its members. No one is left alone with their problems. If necessary, they will support you with money, albeit small, and as for human participation, it would be strange to even think that there is none among the Samoans. The old people here will never be abandoned, they will always look after the kids, both their own and those of others, and goodbye they will ask, what else can I help you with? Against this background, other residents of developed countries seem to be enlightened ignoramuses...
It is difficult to say for sure what scenario the state will develop in the future. Its current economic situation is not brilliant. Foreign assistance is still needed, there is a dependence on private transfers from abroad, plantations are constantly damaged by hurricanes, there are not enough roads. Prospects: the Japanese and Australians are willing to invest in the light industry that has begun to develop (cheap labor) and tourism (excellent natural conditions). 35% of electricity is generated by local power plants. But the main guarantee that the country will develop is that it is very calm here.

general information

Official name: Independent State of Samoa.
Form of government: constitutional monarchy with elements of parliamentary democracy.
Administrative division: 11 districts (Itumalo).
Capital, largest settlement and port: Apia on the island of Upolu (37,700 people - 2010).
Languages: Samoan (belongs to the East Austronesian group of the Austronesian language family, writing is based on the Latin script), English.
Ethnic composition: Samoans - 92.6%, Euronesians - from marriages of Europeans with Polynesians - 7%, Europeans - 0.4%.
Religion: 98% of Samoans are Christian, and they are: Congregational - 35.5%, Catholic - 19.6%, Methodist - 15%, LDS - 12.7%, Assemblies of God - 6.6%, Seventh-day Adventists - 3.5%. The head of state until 2007, Malietoa Tanumafili II, was an adherent of the Bahai religion.
Currency unit: tala.
Largest islands: Savaii, Upolu. There are no large rivers or lakes, but there are many small ones, as well as waterfalls.
Largest airport: Faleolo International Airport, 35 km west of Apia. Direct flights to New Zealand, Australia, USA, Tonga, American Samoa and Niue.

Numbers

Land area: 2821 km2.
Population: 193,161 people. (July 2011).
Population density: 68.5 people/km 2 .
Coastal Economic Zone: 130,000 km 2. 23,100 hectares of reefs and lagoons.
Highest point: Mount Silisili (1858 m) on the island. Savaii.

Economy

GDP: $1055 million (2010).
GDP per capita:$5200 (2010).
Industry: food, light, production of building materials and auto parts.
Agriculture: coconuts, bananas, taro, yams, coffee, cocoa.
Fishing.
Exports: fish, coconut oil and cream, copra, taro, auto parts, clothing, beer.
Import: machinery and equipment, food products.
Service sector: tourism

Climate and weather

Subequatorial, trade wind.
Average daily temperature throughout the year:+26°C, temperature fluctuations are small (average temperature in summer is +27°C, in winter - +25°C).
Average annual precipitation: from 2500-3000 mm in the north-west of both large islands to 5000-7000 mm in the central mountainous regions.
Two seasons: the dry season lasts from May to October, and the rainy season from November to April. Tropical hurricanes and typhoons are frequent.

Attractions

■ Apia: Catholic Church, Anglican Church (wonderful stained glass windows), Apia Samoa Temple complex (1983, Bahai); Mulinuu, the old ceremonial capital of the islands, occupies the western part of the modern city. Fale Fono (Parliament House) is located here; memorial tower dedicated to the victims of World War II; National Museum;
■ House-museum of Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) 4 km from Apia (Vailima), where the writer spent the last four years of his life, here is his grave. The writer's house and the entire estate are a nature reserve.
■ Upolu Island: beaches of Matareva, Salamuma and Aganoa, coral reefs of Aleipata with a protected area for seabird nesting sites; Fuipisia waterfall is 55 m high.
■ Savai'i Island: churches on the island of Savaii, including the Catholic Church of the Sacred Heart in Saleolog, churches in the villages of Matavai and Salelavu; the 12 m high Tia-Cey ritual mound is the largest ancient megalithic structure in Polynesia; Tafua Rainforest and Falealupo Nature Reserves; Olemoe waterfalls, Taga geysers; Mu Pagoa waterfall; lava caves Peapea (Letui) and Paia Dwarfs; Mount Silisili and the protected Aopo Cave at its foot.

Curious facts

■ Universal suffrage was introduced in the country in 1991. Before that, only matai (chiefs) participated in elections, but they still have an important privilege: only they can stand for parliament. There are more than 25,000 matai in the country, about 5% of them are women.
■ Two-thirds of the islands' surface is covered by tropical rainforests.
■ The most popular sports in the country - rugby, Samoan cricket, Australian football, or fugue - involve kicking an oval ball on an oval field and allowing tough power struggles.
■ One of the ancient rituals of Samoa is the initiation (initiation into warriors) of teenagers 12-13 years old. He's cruel. The Samoans consider the shark to be the forefather of their people, and it was she who was supposed to “bless” the boy into adulthood. He was immersed in a vat of fish blood, tied with fish carcasses, given a small knife in his hands and taken by boat to the sea for five days. The boy, firstly, had to survive, and secondly, kill the shark. If he failed to do this, he became an outcast. There were many cases when teenagers preferred to die than to return home without confirmation of their feat. Now this procedure is no longer performed, but 50 years ago every man went through it.