School encyclopedia. Western Samoa National symbols of Samoa
Who hasn’t dreamed of going to exotic islands lost in the ocean in order to take a break from all its benefits, far from civilization? Incredibly beautiful sandy beaches, hot sun that gives the body a chocolate tint, and picturesque landscapes will surprise even the most experienced travelers. Due to their remoteness from the whole world, tropical paradises are extremely attractive for world tourism. The leaders of relaxing holidays - the islands of Hawaii, Galapagos, Samoa - are of volcanic origin. It is all the more interesting to visit fantastically beautiful lands created without any human intervention.
Samoa Islands - where is it?
In the Pacific paradise there are islands that became independent more than fifty years ago. Untouched by civilization, they are a real find for all those who like to travel and sunbathe, while enjoying underwater views and local landscapes. The country includes 10 of them that accept travelers, while the rest are either small or uninhabited.
Excursion into history
The volcanic archipelago, according to researchers, was inhabited in the 5th century AD, and later it became a developing center of Polynesian culture. A navigator from the Netherlands discovered the Samoan Islands in the Pacific Ocean for Europeans at the beginning of the 18th century. The French explorer Bougainville visits the archipelago a few years later during his expedition around the world. Until the end of the 19th century, no one was interested in the fate of the archipelago, until the rivalry between America, Germany and Great Britain began for the right to own it. According to the Treaty of Berlin, the islands were divided: Western Samoa, which gained independence sixty-three years later, went to Germany, and the eastern part was taken over by the United States.
American (Eastern) Samoa
The small part of the archipelago that went to America consists of seven small islands. Residents living here do not participate in presidential elections and are not US citizens, but are under their protection. The land surface here forms high mountain peaks and most of the villages are located in the coastal areas.
Sights of American Samoa
Tourists dreaming of a secluded holiday visit the deserted island of Aunnu. The picturesque landscape will help you take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life, and silence will be a real gift for dreamy lovers. It is very dangerous to approach the quicksand for which the island is famous, so it is better to admire their continuous play from afar.
American Samoa is also famous for the fantastically beautiful Maamaa Bay with huge stones of the most bizarre shapes, on which rolling waves break into tiny particles of water. A small section of the deserted coast attracts with its unearthly beauty. You can’t leave without taking a photo against the backdrop of the billowing, as if boiling, water in the bay.
The capital of Pago Pago is considered authentic. Poor wooden huts are combined with beautiful buildings in an exotic style. The small town is extremely popular with tourists who are in a hurry to stroll through the small streets with expensive restaurants and fashionable hotels. The parking lot of expensive liners and the Haydon Museum, which visually represents the art of the islanders, leave an unforgettable memory. True, tourists note the specific smell of the capital due to the close location of fish factories, which you need to get used to.
Western part of the Samoan archipelago
The independent islands of Samoa are located in the very center of Polynesia and consist of two relatively large ones (Upolu and Savaii), but occupying ninety-six percent of the total area of the country, on which almost the entire population lives, and another eight small and uninhabited ones. The mountainous terrain of the island is associated with high tectonic activity. The capital of the state is the small town of Apia, built up with European-style houses, but at the same time preserving
The island of Upolu (Samoa) is extremely attractive for vacationers. The most popular beaches are located there, and one stands out with its exotic black sand. Lake Lanotoo, not very well known to tourists, with cool water of a dark emerald color, is simply teeming with small golden-colored fish that are not afraid to swim up to the hands of people. And ancient legends say that no one knows its exact depth, although many tried to reach the bottom, but did not succeed.
The island in the Samoan archipelago is home to the main attraction - a pool formed by nature itself inside the crater of a long-extinct volcano. Local residents have long ago equipped a deep pond for swimming, constructing a staircase and a makeshift pier, and hundreds of travelers admire the crystal clear water.
The original islands of Samoa. How do they live there?
All tourists note the very friendly attitude of the indigenous people, whose culture is traditionally supported by the principles of respect for each other. The bulk of the island's population are Christians, but there are friendly co-existing representatives of other religions. The aborigines live in single communities, which are the main unit of society of the archipelago and consist of several generations of relatives. The highest status is held by the chief, who heads Samoan society and is responsible for all areas of family affairs.
Residents honor an ancient culture that combines religious beliefs with local traditions, observing all international and local holidays. Being a Christian Samoa holds various festivals to observe religious rituals. In addition, the islands are famous for their colorful dance and song festivals, in which the entire local population takes part, and visitors are amazed at the rich life of the aborigines.
Picturesque landscapes
Vacationers appreciate the unusual nature, the mountainous terrain of which represents the tops of volcanoes, whose active activity ended more than a hundred years ago. Once upon a time, erupting lava flowed along the mountain ranges of rocks, but now the erupting lava has frozen. The awe-inspiring islands of Samoa are covered with tropical thickets of ferns, bamboo, and mangrove forests growing in clear water. The western part is especially rich in valuable timber, which is used by the local population to build houses. But they are deprived of fertility, with the exception of cultivated coastal areas.
Stevenson's last refuge
The Samoan Islands became the final refuge of the author of an adventure book about pirates. Stevenson, who bought land on the island, fiercely defended the rights of the local population during the period of division of the country between large states, after which he gained fame as a hero. They buried him on the top of the mountain, hewing the rock like a sarcophagus and strictly prohibiting the use of firearms, so that no noise would disturb the writer’s spirit, and only the birds would sing their songs at his grave. For all tourists who dare to climb to the heights, two interesting routes have been developed. Without knowing it, Stevenson turned a visit to his resting place into a little adventure. It must be said that the natives remember him to this day: hotels, streets and cafes are named after the author of “Treasure Island”, and tourists are invited to visit the writer’s museum located on Upolu.
An unforgettable holiday on the islands
To visit the island, it is best to plan your vacation from the beginning of May to the end of October. Clear weather without rain or strong hurricanes will leave many pleasant impressions. The tropical climate attracts numerous tourists who do not like the sweltering heat, because all year round the average temperature on the island is twenty-six degrees.
What do travelers to Samoa need to know? The ocean and snow-white sand, which is so pleasant to lie on, are the key moments of relaxation for all visitors. Entrance to the beach costs money, this small but mandatory fee goes towards community expenses. Additional payment is also taken from fishermen, whose catch is perceived as some kind of threat to the country, which lives on the gifts of the ocean. All divers on the planet dream of visiting American Samoa, which provides diving services in areas of sunken ships and coral reefs, but it is worth mentioning that it is impossible to get there without a US tourist visa.
Safety regulations
Before setting foot on islands remote from civilization, you should take care of your health. To do this, vaccinations against hepatitis, cholera, polio, yellow fever are given in advance, and on the island it is necessary to use special means against mosquitoes - carriers of various diseases. The water in the country is chlorinated, but for visitors it is best to use boiled water. All tourists must follow the rules and remember that it is prohibited to drink alcohol on the street and the beach, and on Sunday alcohol is sold only in local hotels and only to guests of the country.
The tropical islands of Samoa seem to have been created by nature for an unforgettable vacation. It’s probably still worth going a long way to fully enjoy the unique nature and inimitable views that amaze the imagination.
» » Samoa - capital Apia
Apia! Capital of Western Samoa crossword puzzle city of 4 letters!
Lonely Planet guides know about 25 synonyms marvelous, but when describing capitals they use only one word: vibrant.
In Apia, the country's only city and capital, the country's only real McDonald's is advertised in tourist brochures with the slogan Taste a bit of home in paradise. In the background: outdoor advertising of Polynesian Blue, an airline of one aircraft, one of the companies of the group Virgin Branson, demonstrates a metaphor for serious power: “tattooed” engines.
Compare with the tattooed shoulders of the bad guys: 
Readers of my blog think that the bad guy has a “forearm” tattoo, when in fact, this part of the arm is called, naturally, shoulder, A forearm- part of the arm between the elbow and wrist: 
Vibrant! 
Vibrant! 
Vibrant! 
Vibrant! 
Vibrant! 
Vibrant! 
Apia mon amour! 
There is even constructivism in Apia: 
When you read about Oceania while sitting in Moscow, it seems that a typical oceanic capital is a cool, cheerful city with a lot of colonial architecture. The reality of what is in Apia is disappointing: little has been preserved from the best times. 
Apia, like Moscow, grew, absorbing the surrounding villages. Districts of the city are still called by the names of these villages, and, most importantly, they have retained village self-government and communal ownership of land with everyone phono, matai, aliyah, pulenuu And tulafale(). However, Apia is unique in that part of the land here is traded on the free market, so Apia is a kind of Samoan Skolkovo, where Western-style businesses are developed.
This is the main square of Apia. In a six-story building with a symbolic fale on the roof is the government house.
Samoa is a rare example of a Polynesian country where there are TWO mobile operators (Digicel, Gomobile). Digicel, the only one with which Beeline roams, according to the ancient Polynesian tradition, does not know how to transfer data.
Landline telephone numbers - 5-digit: 
The cars, as in Moscow, are decorated with hair and plush gambling dice: 
Samoa is a rare example of a country these days (2009) that has switched from driving on the right (like ours) to driving on the left (like in England): to make it more convenient to use used cars from New Zealand. Therefore, all lanes are neatly marked with arrows in the direction of travel, and the drivers themselves still seem to be a little confused: at least outside the city, it is customary to drive not in your own lane, but in the center lane. They write that the innovation caused popular unrest: and not surprisingly, the ratio of right-hand drive and left-hand drive cars in the country is exactly 1:1.
Another reform is being prepared in Samoa: on December 31, 2011, the country will move the clock forward one day, and from GMT-11 will become GMT+13 (or GMT+14?), in order to move from yesterday, where, to tomorrow, where.
Speed limits are written directly in mph and km/h: so that if a used car is imported from the USA, it will also be convenient to drive. 
There are so many children, classes and schools in Apia that the color combinations of shirts and skirts are no longer enough to identify parallels and special stripes have to be invented: 
What this country needs most is
Today, Samoa is a small island state located in the Pacific Ocean, in the west of the archipelago of the same name. It consists of two fairly large islands ( Upolu And Savaii), which accounts for about 96% of the total area of the country, and eight small islands that are concentrated in the western part of the archipelago ( Manono, Nuutele, Apolima, Nuulua, Fanuatapu, Namua, Nuulopa And Nuusafee). From 1900 to 1914 the islands were called German Samoa, from 1914 to 1997 - Western Samoa, and from 1997 they received the name Independent State of Samoa.
According to the Constitution of 1960, the country has a republican form of government, but here it is combined with local traditions and customs. For example, local power belongs to the matai chiefs, and almost all land is distributed among villages and families. Unlike American Samoa, this country has so far been little affected by civilization and is an almost pristine corner of the Earth. Tourists are attracted to this place by its high mountains and first-class beaches, which are ideal for active recreation, as well as colorful festivals and picturesque Polynesian villages, allowing you to get acquainted with ancient traditions. It is not for nothing that even R. L. Stevenson, the author of the famous novel “Treasure Island,” spent the rest of his years in Samoa.
Capital |
Apia |
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Population |
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Population density |
76 people/km² |
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Samoan, English |
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Religion |
Christianity |
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Form of government |
parliamentary republic |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Domain zone |
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Electricity |
Climate and weather
Samoa is dominated by a tropical trade wind climate, so the weather here is quite hot, humid and windy. Winter on the islands occurs from May to October, during which southeast trade winds dominate. In the summer season (from November to April) they change their direction to the north-west. There are also powerful tropical typhoons that bring storms throughout the year. Their greatest number occurs in the summer. Precipitation mainly falls from December to April.
The average annual air temperature is stable and stays within +25...+27 °C, the water temperature is always warm (not lower +24 °C). The best time to visit Samoa is the dry season (May - October).
Nature
Western Samoa is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It consists of two large islands ( Upolu And Savaii) and eight small ones, of which only two are inhabited ( Manono And Apolim A). The islands of Savai'i and Upolu, which are separated by Apolima Strait, are the tips of underwater volcanoes, so they have a mountainous landscape. Volcanic cones rise in the center of both islands Silisili And Phyto. The northern slopes of the islands are flatter than the southern ones, and their western parts are covered with plains. The coastline is quite narrow and all indented by lagoons. A significant part of the islands is occupied by forests and wet tropical thickets. The flora on the islands is diverse: there are approximately 600 plant species. The fauna is represented by bats, several species of lizards, many birds and insects. Dolphins live in coastal waters.
Due to its volcanic origin, the islands abound with small rivers and waterfalls. The exceptions are the western part of Upolu and most of Savaii.
Attractions
Western Samoa is a beautiful corner of the Earth that has not yet been greatly affected by civilization. For this reason, the country's main treasures are its mountains, forests, beaches and picturesque villages. If we talk about man-made attractions, then the largest number of them are concentrated in the capital of Apia on the island of Upolu. For example, in its western part there is an old ceremonial capital Mulinuu. The most interesting buildings in this area are the old observatory and the House of Parliament. In the central part of Apia, the most interesting is the memorial Clock Tower. There are also old colonial buildings scattered throughout the city, among which the most colorful is the courthouse, within the walls of which the Historical Museum is located. In addition, many churches were built in the capital and its suburbs: Catholic Church, complex of temples Apia Samoa Temple, Congregationalist Church, etc. Just 4 km from the center of the capital, on the outskirts of Vailim, is the estate of the writer R.L. Stevenson, and next to her is his tombstone.
There are other interesting places on the island of Upolu. Thus, in its northern part there are picturesque waterfalls Falefa, forest reserve Uafato and lake Lanotoo, next to which stands the temple Bahá'í Temple. On the southeast coast, the most interesting cascade of five-meter waterfalls Papassea Sliding Rock. Well, the main attractions of the southern coast are the national park O-Le-Pupu-Pue and beach Paradise Beach.
The island of Savaii is a virtually untouched place. Its main attractions are the Peapea and Paia Dwarfs lava caves, the ritual mound near Cape Mulinuu, the Alofaaga volcanic cavern, the Tia Seu mound, the ancient village of Fagaloa, the Falealupo lava tubes and Satiuatua beach with a colorful church. Also worth mentioning separately is Manono Island, the main historical monuments of which are "Mound of Stars" and embankment "Tomb of 99 Stones".
Nutrition
The national cuisine of Samoa is distinguished by not too spicy dishes, consisting of individual components, which are served separately and mixed directly during the meal. Here you can also try dishes that are cooked in umu earthen ovens. Some of the most important components of the local menu are coconut, sweet potato, vegetables and root vegetables, grains, fresh fruits and seafood. Among fish dishes, the main place is oka, which is finely chopped and specially marinated fish, which is then heat-treated or eaten raw. Prepared according to similar recipes faiai-eleni(herring in coconut milk), faiai-fee(octopus in coconut milk) and other seafood (clams, shark meat, crustaceans, sea snakes, etc.).
Among the most popular dishes in restaurants it is worth noting palus(pickled colocasia leaves in which the fillings are wrapped), Taisi-moa(fried chicken in banana leaves), soupy(coconut milk and papaya soup) fia-fia(a mixture of meat and vegetables, fried in umu), Lupe-tunuwilivili(roasted pigeon) and puaa-tunuwilili(Umu fried pork). All dishes are served with soy sauce, tapa and breadfruit.
Local restaurants offer fruit as dessert, fausi(a dish made from coconut milk and baked pumpkin), coco-arasa(cocoa with rice) and a variety of flour products.
The most common drinks include nui (the juice of the green coconut fruit), kawa (an unusual drink made from the yangona root) and strong cocoa, as well as local sodas. Alcoholic drinks in the country are mainly imported, and Vailima beer is the most popular among locals.
Accommodation
Today, tourism in Western Samoa is just developing, so the choice of hotels here is not yet very large. At the same time, Samoa is one of the cheapest countries in the South Pacific region. For this reason, the cost of living in high-level hotels here starts from $130-150 per night. In mid-price establishments you can count on $50 per day, and in motels and small private boarding houses - $35-40. In addition, many rural communities offer home rentals with full meals. In case of such accommodation, the cost of living will be only $20 per day.
Most of the hotels are located on the island of Upolu; on the island of Savaii their choice is much lower.
Entertainment and relaxation
Thanks to its rich nature, Samoa is an excellent destination for active holidays and hiking. The best way to explore the islands is by boat or canoe. Bicycle rides are also quite popular among tourists, especially around the picturesque island of Savaii. The islands also have many beautiful beaches that are suitable for both a simple beach holiday and snorkeling, and in some places even for exploring the underwater world. The best dive sites are located next to the marine reserve Palolo Deep Marine Reserve and in the area Maninoa Beach(Upolu Island).
Surfing in Samoa is quite a difficult task, since many suitable places are replete with unstable currents and reefs. However, there are now resorts on the islands that specialize in « playing with the wave » (Maninoa Beach, Ananoa Beach, Salouafata Harbor And Samoana). Fishing in Samoa is quite accessible, but expensive. The fact is that local residents often view sports fishermen as their direct competitors. For this reason, tribal leaders charge tourists quite large sums for harmless fishing.
An interesting way to spend time could be to participate in one of the local holidays and festivals. Among them, the largest is the weekly Teuila Festival, which takes place in early September. The program of this event includes competitions of dance groups and choirs, traditional dances, kirikiti competitions, fautasi boat races and Flower Parade. Among other events, the most interesting are:
- International fishing tournament
- Argungu Fishing and Cultural Festival,
- South Pacific Games (rowing),
- Birthday of Tanumafili II Malietoa,
- International rugby competitions and a celebration in honor of the Palolo turtles.
Purchases
The largest shopping establishments in Samoa are located in Apia- this is big Flea Market and two supermarkets ( Frankie And Farmer Joe). You can find almost any product on the market - from cheap electronics to jewelry. In supermarkets, the choice of goods is slightly smaller, but their quality is better. In general, almost every city and town in the country has its own market, where you can find very interesting souvenirs and simply make useful purchases. The most common items tourists purchase are bags and baskets made from ramp fibers, exquisite fabrics made from paper mulberry bark, wooden weapons, model canoes, wooden bowls, avocado oil and local honey. Local crafts, such as wicker fans, small figurines, vases, etc., are in particular demand. Women are advised to pay attention to original jewelry made from coconut shells, as well as amazing precious shells. The rugs woven by local craftsmen are also amazing. Their amazing pictures and bizarre ornaments conceal a piece of Samoan culture.
Most retail establishments are open from 08:00 to 16:30, and on Saturdays until 12:30, although many private shops have their own opening hours. On Sundays all shops are closed.
Transport
Apia is home to the country's largest port, through which Samoa maintains regular maritime links with New Zealand, Great Britain and Fiji. Less significant ports are located in Asau, Saleologa And Mulifanua. Between the islands Savaii And Upolu, as well as with the island Pago Pago, which belongs American Samoa, there is a regular ferry service. The international airport is located in Faleolo, 34 km from the capital.
Samoa has more than two thousand kilometers of roads, mostly rural. The main mode of intercity and urban transport is old buses with wooden seats. In addition, they run extremely irregularly. For example, if the driver feels tired or decides to play rugby with friends, then the bus will no longer operate. There are no stopping points. In order for the driver to stop, you need to vote. Well, in order to get out, it is customary here to knock loudly on the roof. It must be borne in mind that Samoan buses have their own seating order for passengers. According to it, unmarried girls must sit together, and foreigners and elderly people must sit at the front of the bus. If the bus is full, locals sit on each other's laps.
Taxis are available in the capital and major towns; car rental is only available to people over 25 years of age.
Connection
The islands have a completely modern telephone system, which is developing rapidly. Pay phones are installed in all major settlements. They work using prepaid cards, which are sold in stores, post offices and kiosks. You can also make a call from most hotels, however, its cost will be 15-20% more expensive.
Mobile communications in Samoa have an analogue system (TDMA): only phones that support this standard can be used here. If necessary, such a phone can be rented at the offices of cellular companies. The coverage area mainly covers the capital, as well as nearby areas. At the moment, a system of repeaters is being built, which allows for high-quality communication between all points of the country.
Network services on the islands are developing rapidly, so there are Internet cafes in the capital and other localities of the country. Local mobile operators support WAP and GPRS.
Safety
Samoa is considered one of the most tranquil places in the region. The crime rate on these islands is extremely low, so there will be no problems with personal safety here. Still, it is not recommended to neglect simple precautions. Women traveling alone should be prepared for increased attention from local men. As a rule, it is expressed in various verbal comments, but some caution obviously does not hurt.
Tap water in populated areas is chlorinated and therefore safe for consumption. Although during the first week of your stay, we recommend using bottled or boiled water for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Before traveling to Samoa, vaccination against hepatitis B, cholera, typhoid, polio and Japanese encephalitis is recommended. In addition, outbreaks of tropical fever, carried by mosquitoes, sometimes occur on the islands. For this reason, it is worth bringing insect repellents with you.
Business climate
Samoa's financial system is almost completely integrated into the world economy, and the country's stable financial, economic and political structure attracts investors here, and their activities are encouraged by the government. In general, government policy is aimed at turning Samoa into a powerful offshore center in the Pacific region. Today, light industry is very developed here. A promising industry, of course, is the hotel business and the tourism sector in general.
On the islands, most of the land, including the coast, is communal property, the rights to which belong to families or villages. Rural communities view their shores as a protected area and therefore monitor them very jealously. This means that you will need to pay $1-3 for swimming on a stretch of coastline you like. There is no point in bargaining and sparing this money, as it goes towards the needs of medicine or community education. In addition, in some communities it is prohibited to go to sea on Sundays, and surfers and windsurfers are charged a small daily fee ($1-1.5). The money goes to support the local school education program.
Visa information
A Samoan visa is issued directly upon crossing the border. To obtain it, you will need tickets and a passport, which is valid for 6 months after departure from Samoa. Sometimes customs officials ask you to show evidence of sufficient finances for the duration of your stay in a given country.
A visa is issued at the border for 30 days, but if necessary it can be extended for 60 days. To do this you need to contact Apia Immigration Office and present your passport, tickets, proof of sufficient financial resources, reasons for extending your stay, hotel reservation or confirmation of another method of accommodation, and pay a fee (about $45).
Oceania. Travel notes, day 7
As you know, there are two Samoas - simply Samoa, which, just in case, inserted the words “Independent State” into its official name, and American Samoa (guess whose dependent territory it is). It used to be simpler because the countries were called Western and Eastern Samoa.
They are interesting because they are located on the date line. That is, when it’s Monday on the eastern island, it’s already Tuesday on the western islands! It's funny.
Remember, I wrote about what the citizens of Russia need? So, after my post, the Russian Foreign Ministry intervened and asked them why they stopped issuing visas to Russian citizens. And American Samoa replied that there was a mistake, everything is ok, we will give a visa to Mr. Varlamov, like other Russians! They also immediately wrote to me: “Sir, a thousand apologies, a coconut fell on my head, that’s why they messed everything up. Now there will be a visa!” I was delighted, thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and submitted the documents again. But there was no visa. Usually they give it in one day, but then two days passed, then two more, then a week... And then the answer came:
"Bad news. Just got back from the Immigration office again and permit request DENIED. The reason stated: "U.S. state department is not allowing anyone with a Russian passport into the territory at this time." When the travel restrictions are lifted, we hope to receive Russian visitors again, like in previous times."
This is written by the hotel manager who issued my visa. In general, as you understand, the US State Department does not allow Russian citizens to visit its territories... Here it must be said that even though American Samoa is considered an “unincorporated unorganized territory,” the Department of Insular Affairs, which is a division of the US Department of the Interior, is still responsible for it . And the territory is governed not by a president or a king, but by a governor (however, since 1977, Samoans have elected him themselves).
Just like that. Again, all hope is in our Foreign Ministry! They completely confused the shores in their Samoa!
In the meantime, let's look at what the western islands are like today.
01. As usual, the landscapes are of little interest. 
02. Blue sea, rare settlements... 
03. Small villages are scattered throughout the jungle. In total, a little more than 190 thousand people live on the islands, which is about the same as in Lyubertsy. 
04. Among the achievements - a new airport terminal was built (opened in November 2016) with a loan from China. 
05. True, planes fly here infrequently. There is one flight to Fiji and several more times a week to Australia and New Zealand. Direct flights to China should open soon, an agreement between the countries has already been signed. 
06. The roads are beautiful and smooth. 
07. What makes Samoa different from other countries in the region? Graves! Yes, it’s customary here to bury relatives right under the window! Very nice. Well, just as some people throw them under car windows, here they dig graves under the windows. 
08. Sometimes a canopy is built over the grave. 
09. Very rarely is this a separate structure in the yard, but usually everything is closely adjacent to the house. 
10. Sometimes it's a real tomb. 
11. But usually like this: 
12. Or so. 
13. If suddenly houses are located in lowlands, in flooded areas, then graves are made on a hill. 
14. One of the villages has recently been improved! They installed beautiful posts with lanterns and new trash nets. The locals are delighted! 
15. There are many different churches in Samoa - mostly Catholic and Protestant, but there is even a House of Worship for Baha'i adherents (one of seven on the entire planet) and a Mormon temple. They are building some new temple. 
16. Mormon temple in the suburbs of the capital. They write that there is a twin building in Nuku'alofa (Tonga), and there should be another similar temple in Tahiti. 
17. This is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the capital. 
18. Unfortunately, this is a new building. The old building, built in 1867, was so badly damaged during the 2009 earthquake that it had to be demolished. 
19. As you can see, Samoa is a pious country: on the fences they write that the state is “founded on God.” 
20. Unlike temples, the houses of local residents are not luxurious or large. 
21. As in many countries in the region, the people live in poverty. But, unlike Fiji or Tonga, the main economic sector here is industry. There are several not very large factories here (for example, in Samoa they make coconut oil and less exotic Coca-Cola), although most of the population still lives in villages. 
22.
23. Another feature of the locals is that they are constantly resting! In no other country have I seen so many people vacationing. Usually sit under a tree in the shade 
24. From morning to evening, until the sun disappears behind the horizon, the locals simply sleep. Here is an ordinary yard. Grandma was recently buried under the porch... and now you can sleep! 
25. This is not a bus stop, but a couch. 
26. Life goes on as usual. 
27.
28. The love of leisure influenced local architecture. On each site there will definitely be two buildings: a house with a grave and a resting shed! The canopy is made with a high roof so that you can lie in the shade all day long. These large pavilions are now being built, but they actually grew out of the traditional Samoan dwelling, the fale. 
29. Every house has a canopy. These open spaces are used in different ways. Sometimes as a chapel, sometimes for a family gathering, sometimes just for a picnic. Well, to lie around, of course! 
30. In the city everyone is lying too. 
31.
32. There should be a Southern Cross on the flag, but it didn’t turn out very well) 
33. And this is the capital of the country, Apia. A large city by local standards, just under 37 thousand people. 
34. Moreover, it is the only city in Samoa. Well, what a city. In fact, it doesn't even have a mayor. Apia is divided into 45 villages, which together belong to the administrative district of Tuamasaga. That is, it is like a city of central subordination. 
35. Since it is essentially a large village that has grown into a city, Apia has problems with infrastructure. For example, during the rainy season it regularly floods, because, of course, there is no storm sewer here. The funny thing is that even here the islanders managed to create traffic jams, because they began to buy cars for themselves in the absence of any traffic control system. 
36. This is the very center. On the right is the old government building, on the left is a supermarket, which is now run by the Chinese. 
37. Cathedral, parking and, of course, the pavilion. Here it serves as a chapel. 
38. Fishermen and market. Unlike other countries in Oceania, not much fish is exported from Samoa. They are caught mainly for the domestic market. 
39. There is a Clock Tower on the square, marking the very center of the city. 
40. Now the government buildings have been moved to a new location, in the village of Mulinuu. A wide highway was built here. 
41.
42. Port 
43. On weekends there is no one on the streets at all. 
44. The city is literally dying out. Nothing works. 
45. And here is the same place on Monday. 
46. City Beach 
47. Embankment 
48. The police station was recently built. 
49.
50. Parliament building. By the way, Samoa is a parliamentary... uh... half-republic, half-monarchy. Only the country is ruled not quite by a king and not quite by a president, but by a man with the title “O le Ao O le Malo,” or the supreme leader. This translates into Russian as “Going after what was, and before what will be” (note to Vitali Klitschko!). The leader, by the way, has been an elected position since 2007, but he can only be elected from among members of parliament and an infinite number of times. And only matai, the leaders of Samoan family clans, can become deputies. So some features of the monarchy (and even traditional society) still remain. 
By the way, about traditions! In Samoa, in addition to men and women, there is a “third gender” - fa'afafine. It includes from 1 to 5% of the country's population, and the traditional Samoan family itself decides which of the children to assign to them. Literally, "fa'afafine" means "like a woman." Boys are raised as girls from childhood. This is what happens when more men are born in a country than women! Russia can breathe freely. 
In fact, it is not entirely correct to classify fa'afafine as gay, although most of them actually have male partners. But their relationships with men are not considered homosexuality, because the sexes are not the same. Moreover, the relationship between two men is taboo for many Samoan families. And if a man fucks fa’afafine, it’s okay, everything’s fine. Many fa'afafine say that in childhood they really considered themselves girls, and only as they grew up did they realize that this was not entirely true.
Similar child-rearing traditions exist in other parts of Oceania, such as Tonga, the Cook Islands and Hawaii. In Samoa, fa'afafine mainly entertain tourists, and some travel to the West to earn money by participating in drag queen shows. Boxing with the participation of fa'afafine is also quite popular in Oceania. 
Some Samoans do not like fa'afafine because they behave too provocatively, declaring their own "feminine" sexuality. Usually a Samoan woman is a modest housewife, but here there is such a contrast. Although some fa'afafine support the traditional way of life and even raise children together with other women (who, in turn, call him "mother"). 
51. I wonder what the Israeli flag is doing here? 
52. Old architecture 
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55. Local buses 
56. It is now the rainy season in Samoa, it will end in April. By the way, the country regularly suffers from natural disasters, especially typhoons. Therefore, many foreign companies are hesitant to invest in the islands' economy. 
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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 pipelines, 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, was 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, with the easternmost area 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. 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.