Samoa by Faamoana Laufiso

Samoa, formerly called Western Samoa, is famed for its natural beauty and friendly people.

Originally settled by the Tonga polynesians, it was the European explorers and missionaries that transformed these islands for better or for worse. Christianity was introduced to the natives, and many local customs soon disappeared. At the conclusion of World War 1 and for the next 42 years, New Zealand occupied and administered the islands. Then in 1962, Samoa became the first Polynesian nation to re-established its independence in the 20th Century.

The large islands of Savaii and Upolu are mountainous (volcanic in origin), and covered with heavy forests. Both are ringed by coral reefs. The local population is mostly indigenous Samoans. The port city of Apia is the center of local government and trade, and the economy revolves around agriculture, lumber and tourism.

American Samoa, a neibouring group of islands, shares the same culture and much of thesame history. Samoa's population is approximately 180. 000 and the most populou full blooded polynesian race in the world. It is situated on the east of the international date line between longitudes 171 and 172 degrees west and latitude 13 and 14 degrees south of the equator.

Samoa has two seasons, the wet season from Novemer to March, and dry season from April to October. The average temperature is between20 and 30 degrees all year round.