It is a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand. The islands have narrow coastal plains with volcanic, rocky, rugged mountains in the interior.
Samoa is composed largely of two islands, Upolu and Savai'i. These islands are the result of countless volcanic eruptions, leaving easily visible volcanic cones all over both islands. None of the volcanoes are currently active, but small earthquakes often rock the island, reminding people of their presence. The last eruption was in 1911 on Savaii.
The eerie, lifeless lava fields that remain from this event can be visited easily, since the only sealed road on Savai'i goes right through the middle.
Both islands are almost entirely covered by lush vegetation, although almost none of it is the original rainforest that covered the island before humans arrived. Most of the land area is given over to plantations or semi-cultivated forest, providing food and cash crops for the locals. Since Samoa has been inhabited for over three and a half thousand years, the cultivated lands around villages can often seem like deepest, darkest jungle to a foreigner(palangi).
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.
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.
'''National holiday''' : Independence Day Celebration, 1 June
Samoa is governed by an elected council, or fono, under a constitutional monarch, Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Local government is by village in the form of a Matai, or chief.
The legal system is based on English common law and local customs.
The economy of Samoa has traditionally been dependent on development aid, family remittances from overseas, and agricultural exports. The country is vulnerable to tropical storms, and was hit by two cyclones in quick succession in 1991.
Agriculture employs two-thirds of the labor force, and furnishes 90% of exports, featuring coconut cream, coconut oil, and copra. The manufacturing sector mainly processes agricultural products.
The decline of fish stocks in the area is a continuing problem, due to both local overfishing and severe overfishing by Japanese factory trawlers. Tourism is an expanding sector, accounting for 16% of GDP; about 85,000 tourists visited the islands in 2000.
The Samoan Government has called for deregulation of the financial sector, encouragement of investment, and continued fiscal discipline. Observers point to the flexibility of the labor market as a basic strength for future economic advances. Foreign reserves are in a relatively healthy state, foreign debt is stable, and inflation is low.
Air New Zealand provides 3 to 4 flights per week from Auckland. They also fly a weekly service between Auckland-Tonga-Apia-Los Angeles.
Polynesian Blue, a subsidiary of Virgin Blue, has started flying between Apia and a series of cities in Australia and New Zealand, such as Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Melbourne and Auckland.
People sail their yachts to Samoa and dock at Apia.
A twice monthly service by the MV Tokelau leaves from Apia Harbour and runs to Tokelau.
'''Ports and harbors''' include Apia, Asau, Mulifanua, Salelologa. Container ships and cruise liners dock in Apia Harbour or Salelologa, but many smaller fishing boats and village boats use the smaller docks.
You can sail to or from there by Tallship - the STV SOREN LARSEN from NZ, sails through there each winter - see www.sorenlarsen.co.nz
Languages spoken include Samoan (a Polynesian language) and English.
Local laws make it illegal to trade in Samoa in a foreign currency.
Samoa is relatively inexpensive for western visitors. Haggling is not customary.
The usual kinds of European, Asian and fast foods are available, but be sure to try the "''umu''", which is a traditional pit-oven, using red hot lava stones heated by charcoal. Whole pigs, fruits, chickens, fish, etc, are placed among the rocks for many hours, and covered with banana leaves. The food has an absolutely delicious smoked flavour, and meats are as tender and juicy as possible.
Most places are casual and inexpensive.
Samoa brews the amazing [http://www.vailima.ws/ Vailima] beer. Even Germans say it's good beer, probably because the brewery was founded by a German. It sure kicks the snot out of [http://www.hinano.com/ Hinano] (yeah take that, Tahiti). It's cheap and you can buy it everywhere. Sure you can get other beers in Samoa, like Tabu or Heineken, but why would you want to?
Liquor is plentiful in the bars. There's not that much in most stores and it tends to be expensive. '''Le Well''' near the market (ask any taxi driver) has a good range at the best prices. It's a good idea to bring your own bottle in if you plan on drinking a lot of hooch.
Unfortunately the government shut down most of the popular and legendary bars and night spots in Apia in 2006, citing underage drinking, drugs, noise, and crime. They were reopened several weeks later. There are lots of smaller bars and night spots to check out. Also every hotel has a bar as do most of the restaurants.
Samoa is a safe destination. Crime rates are low and people very helpful and friendly. Pickpocketing and robbery do occur, but with sensible precautions, one should encounter few problems.
Samoans have a different concept of ownership from Westerners and don't really consider stealing to be a sin as long as they don't get caught. Keep your valuables close, especially money, especially if you are doing a home-stay.
Dogs are the biggest threat, roaming the islands freely, often in packs. They are extremely vicious. You will be approached, so avoid walking in remote locations unless you have a pointed object or a quick means of escape. Travel by taxi at night, as they become even more aggressive after dark.
Samoa is a malaria free zone. However, there are occasional outbreaks of Dengue Fever and so precautions should be taken such as mosquito nets and insect repellent.
Drink bottled water. It's cheap and readily available.
There are no known poisonous animals or insects on land, although centipedes can give you a very painful bite.
In the water beware of purple cone shells, sea urchins, sharks, fire coral, etc.
Samoa is quite religious, with most of the population following one of the Christian denominations. This means Sunday is generally respected as a holy day and most shops and businesses are closed. You should not walk through villages on Sundays.
Samoan culture is governed by strict protocols and etiquette. Although allowances are made for foreigners, it is wise to avoid revealing clothing and to comply with village rules which are enforced by the village ''matai'' (chiefs), although Apia is quite relaxed in these traditions.
Women going topless is '''''taboo''''', and they should only wear swimwear at the beach. Shorts should be knee length. Shirts should be worn when not at the beach. A ''lavalava'' (sarong) is nearly always acceptable attire.
Other simple things, such as removing shoes before entering a house (or, for that matter, budget accommodation), should be observed.
The main island of Upolu is know as the "modern" island, where most northern coast villages are quite relaxed with the old strict traditions, whilst Savai'i is the more traditional island but has become more relaxed -- but nude bathing is '''taboo'''.
Samoa has an adequate telephone system with international calling. Some villages have public phones available and require a pre-paid phone card.
Samoa.ws and Lesamoa are the only Internet Service Providers, but there are at least two public Internet access points in Apia, where fast, reliable access can be had for around 12 tala (4 US dollars) per hour.
The CSL cafe across the road from McDonalds has fast internet connection for around 5 tala per 30 min. You can also buy credit there (~70 tala for 10 h) to use your laptop at wifi lavaspots at various locations around town, eg CSL, McDonalds, Aggie Greys, Cappucino Vineyard, La Manumea, etc. see: http://www.csl.ws/lavaspot.cfm The lavaspot connection and download speed is very good.