Samoan Islands#Samoa

File:German, British, American warships in Apia harbour, Samoa 1899.jpg harbour, 1899.]]

Politically, the Samoan Islands are divided into two jurisdictions:

• Samoa, an independent nation that gained political independence from New Zealand in 1962. It comprises the western half of the Samoan Islands, ({{Convert|2831|km2||abbr=on}} and 196,000 inhabitants (2016)). It was known as German Samoa from 1900 to 1914, and as Western Samoa until 1997.
• Capital: Apia; currency: Samoan tala.
• American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States comprising the eastern half of the Samoan Islands. ({{Convert|199|km2||abbr=on}} and 49,710 inhabitants (2020)).
• Capital: Pago Pago; currency: US dollar.

In the late 19th century, competition for political control of the islands between the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom resulted in the December 1899 Tripartite Convention, which formally partitioned the Samoan archipelago into a German colony (German Samoa) in the western half and a United States territory (American Samoa) in the eastern half.Ryden, George Herbert. The Foreign Policy of the United States in Relation to Samoa. New York: Octagon Books, 1975. (Reprint by special arrangement with Yale University Press. Originally published at New Haven: Yale University Press, 1928), p. 574. The Tripartite Convention (United States, Germany, Great Britain) was signed at Washington on December 2, 1899, with ratifications exchanged on February 16, 1900. New Zealand began occupying the western islands in World War I, while they were still a German colony and continued as an occupying force until 1920. Then, from 1920 until Samoa's independence in 1962, New Zealand governed the islands in that group under a League of Nations Class C Mandate from 1920 to 1946,date of ratification by the League of Nations was 10 January 1920; Class C mandates were designed for populations considered incapable of self-government and as a United Nations Trust Territory from 1946 to 1962. The force that eventually led to the political independence of the western islands in 1962 was the pro-independence Mau movement, which gained popularity across the area. The eastern islands remain a political territory of the United States.{{cite web|url=http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/samoa/rise-of-mau|work=NZ History online|title=The rise of the Mau movement|access-date=30 June 2010}}

{{Main|Geography of Samoa}}

The Samoan Islands has total of 18 islands spread {{Convert|3030|km2|0|abbr=on}} in a west to east direction.{{cite web|title=Demographic Yearbook—Table 3: Population by sex, rate of population increase, surface area and density|url=http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2009-2010/Table03.pdf|publisher=United Nations Statistics Division|date=2010}}

File:Samoa Country map.png

{{more citations needed section|date=July 2022}}

• Savai{{okina}}i: population 43,819 (2016);{{cite web|url=https://www.sbs.gov.ws/digi/1-Preliminary%20count%20report%202016.V2.pdf|title=Census 2016 Preliminary count|publisher=Samoa Bureau of Statistics|access-date=6 July 2022}} largest landmass; westernmost in the group; most recent volcanic eruptions. Eruptions:Mt Matavanu (1905–1911); Mata o le Afi (1902); Mauga Afi (approximately 1725).
• Manono: population 889 (2006).
• Nu{{okina}}ulopa: uninhabited; lies in the Apolima Strait between Upolu and Savai{{okina}}i.
• Apolima: population 75 (2006).
• Upolu: population 143,418 (2011); the most populous island in the group.
• Nu{{okina}}usafe{{okina}}e: uninhabited; tiny rocky islet off the south coast of Upolu, near the village of Poutasi.
• Nu{{okina}}utele: uninhabited; volcanic tuff ring; conservation for native birds; can also be seen from the popular Lalomanu Beach.
• Nu{{okina}}ulua: uninhabited; volcanic tuff ring; land area {{Convert|25|ha|}}; conservation habitat for endemic native birds.{{cite web|title=issg Database: Distribution Details for Rattus exulans|url=http://www.issg.org/database/species/distribution_detail.asp?si=170&di=35355&pc=*}}
• Namua: uninhabited
• Fanuatapu: uninhabited; volcanic tuff ring.

The islands of Manono, Apolima and Nu{{okina}}ulopa lie in the Apolima Strait between Upolu and Savai{{okina}}i. The four small, uninhabited islands – Nu{{okina}}utele, Nu{{okina}}ulua, Namua and Fanuatapu – are situated off the east coast of Upolu and comprise the Aleipata Islands.

File:US -American Samoa.png

• Tutuila: population 48,405 (per 2020 census); main island in the territory.
• Pola Island: unpopulated; part of the National Park of American Samoa.
• Aunu'u: population 473 (per 2020 census); located southeast of Tutuila.
• Swains Island: unpopulated (per 2020 census); politically administered by American Samoa, but culturally part of Tokelau; copra plantation.
• Ofu‑Olosega: volcanic doublet encompassing Ofu (population 132, per 2020 census) and Olosega (population 147, per 2020 census); in the Manu'a Group of islands.
• Ta'ū: population 236 (per 2020 census); largest island in the Manu'a Group
• Manu (Rose Atoll): unpopulated (per 2020 census); conservation habitat for native birdlife, marine life, green turtle and endangered hawksbill turtle.
• A number of minor uninhabited islets: Taputapu Island, Nuusetoga Island (Bartlett Island), Nuʻutele Island, Nuusilaelae Island, Pyramid Rock (Fatutoʻaga), Fatu Rock (Flowerpot Rock), Utusiva, Avaio, and Nu’upule Rock.Whistler, W. Arthur (April 1980): “The Vegetation of Eastern Samoa”. Pacific Tropical Botanical Garden. Pages 88-89. Retrieved on November 30, 2024, from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/349619846_The_Vegetation_of_Eastern_Samoa2020 Census Privacy-Protected Microdata File (PPMF), prepared by the U.S. Census Bureau, Washington, DC, August 2024. Page A-22. Retrieved on December 3, 2024, from https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial/2020/technical-documentation/complete-tech-docs/privacy-protected-microdata-file/2020census-privacy-protected-microdata-file.pdf

File:A Manaia, son of a Samoan matai photo Andrew.Thomas.jpg), {{Circa|1890}}–1910. (photo by Thomas Andrew)]]

The islands are approximately {{convert|800|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Fiji, {{convert|530|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Tonga, {{convert|2900|km|mi|abbr=on}} from New Zealand, and {{convert|4000|km|mi|abbr=on}} from Hawaii, U.S.{{Cite encyclopedia|last=Robert|first=Kiste|title=Samoa: Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003|publisher=Microsoft Corporation|place=Redmond, WA|date=1993–2002|id=60210-442-1635445-74407}}

The islands lie between 13° and 14° south latitude and 169° and 173° west longitude, and span an area of about {{convert|480|km|mi|abbr=on}} from west to east.

The larger islands are volcanic in origin, mountainous, and covered in tropical moist forest. Some of the smaller islands are coral atolls with black sand beaches.{{cite web|url=http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/asgpage.htm|title=Insular Area Summary for American Samoa|access-date=April 11, 2011|date=April 6, 2010|publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009111944/http://www.doi.gov/oia/Islandpages/asgpage.htm|archive-date=October 9, 2009}}{{cite web|title=Background: Volcanic Islands and Seamounts in the Samoan Region|url=https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/okeanos/explorations/ex1702/background/geology/welcome.html|website=NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research|access-date=3 July 2022}}

The highest point in Samoa is Mt. Silisili, on the island of Savai'i. At {{Convert|1858|m||abbr=on}}, it is also one of the highest peaks in Polynesia.{{cite book|last=Pratt|first=H. Douglas|title=The Birds of Hawaii and the Tropical Pacific|publisher=Princeton University Press|year=1987|isbn=0-691-02399-9|pages=16–18|display-authors=etal}} The highest peak in American Samoa is on Ta’u, Lata Mountain, at {{convert|966|m|ft|abbr=on}}.Sunia, Fofo I.F. (2009). A History of American Samoa. Amerika Samoa Humanities Council. {{ISBN|978-1573062992}}.{{rp|3}}

Upolu and Savai'i in Samoa are among the largest of the Polynesian islands, at {{convert|1718|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} and {{convert|1125|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}, respectively,{{cite web|editor-first=P.|editor-last=Craig|title=Natural History Guide to American Samoa|url=http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/basch/uhnpscesu/pdfs/NatHistGuideAS09op.pdf|publisher=National Park of American Samoa, Department Marine and Wildlife Resources, American Samoa Community College|access-date=16 August 2009}} Their size is exceeded only by the two substantially larger main islands of New Zealand Te Waipounamu and Te Ika-a-Māui as well as Rakiura, and the two main islands of Fiji and the Hawaiian islands of Hawaiʻi and Maui. The island of Upolu has more inhabitants than the island of Savai'i does.

The next largest island is Tutuila, where the city and harbor of Pago Pago (with a population of 3,519 in 1990) is located. Tutuila is much smaller than Upolu and Savai‘i, at {{convert|136.2|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} in area, but it is the largest island in American Samoa. The highest point on Tutuila is Matafao Peak.{{cite web|title=Matafao Peak, AS|url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/site.htm?Site=MAPE-AS|website=National Park Service|access-date=3 July 2022}}

Smaller islands in the archipelago include the three islets (Manono Island, Apolima and Nu'ulopa) located in the Apolima Strait between Savai'i and Upolu; the four Aleipata Islands off the eastern end of Upolu (Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, Namua, and Fanuatapu); and Nu‘usafe‘e.{{cite news|title=Samoa an Overview|url=http://www.donbosco.asn.au/Bulletins/2004/mar/overview.htm|work=donbosco.asn.au|access-date=2007-11-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071120020749/http://www.donbosco.asn.au/Bulletins/2004/mar/overview.htm |archive-date=2007-11-20}} Aunu'u is a small island off the eastern end of Tutuila. To the east of Tutuila, the Manu'a group comprises Ofu, Olosega, and Ta’u. An uninhabited coral atoll, Rose Atoll, is the southernmost point in the territory of the United States. Another coral atoll, Swains Island, is within the territory of American Samoa but is geographically distant from the Samoan archipelago.{{Cite encyclopedia|title=American Samoa, World Atlas: Microsoft Encarta Reference Library 2003|publisher=Microsoft Corporation|place=Redmond, WA|date=1993–2002|id=60210-442-1635445-74407}}

{{see also|Time in Samoa|Samoa Time Zone}}

In 1892, the Samoan islands shifted to the eastern side of the International Date Line. The ruler Malietoa Laupepa issued a proclamation that Monday, July 4 would occur twice, giving an extra day in July 1892.{{Cite news|date=1892-07-20|title=Going Back 24 Hours.|work=Evening News|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article112593710|access-date=2022-07-03|via=National Library of Australia}} This change, which occurred on the American Independence Day, was likely due to increasing trade with Americans. The islands would be on the same day as the United States.{{Cite news|last=Mydans|first=Seth|date=2011-12-29|title=Samoa Sacrifices a Day for Its Future|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/30/world/asia/samoa-to-skip-friday-and-switch-time-zones.html|access-date=2022-07-03|issn=0362-4331}}

By 2011, the government of independent Samoa decided to shift back to the western side in order to have the same day as Australia and New Zealand. Being one day behind these countries, Samoa's primary trading partners, left only four business days in a week. The shift was implemented by skipping Friday, December 30; workers were paid for this "missed" day. Neighboring Tokelau shifted as well on this day.

File:Hotspot(geology)-1.svg]]

The volcanic Samoa island chain may have been formed by the activity of the Samoa hotspot at the eastern end of the Samoa Islands. In theory, that hotspot was created by the movement of the Pacific tectonic plate over a 'fixed' deep and narrow mantle plume spewing up through the Earth's crust. One piece of evidence that this activity may have created the islands is that they generally lie in a straight east-to-west line, and the plate is moving from east to west. However, some characteristics of the Samoa islands are inconsistent with this theory. The classic hotspot model (based mostly on studies of the Hawaii hotspot) predicts that, if plate movement over a hotspot is what created a volcanic island chain, then the farther away from the hotspot the islands and seamounts in the chain are, the older they will prove to be. Some of the evidence is inconsistent with this explanation for the creation of the Samoa island chain, creating an enigma for scientists. For one thing, Savai'i, the most western of the Samoa island chain, and Ta'u Island, the most eastern, both erupted in the last century.{{cite web|url=http://www.whoi.edu/page.do?pid=12464&tid=282&cid=2541|work=Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution|title=Voyage to Vailulu'u|first=Laurence|last=Lippsett|date=3 September 2009|access-date=19 April 2010}} For another thing, the subaerial rock samples initially collected from Savai'i, the westernmost of the islands, are too young by several million years to fit the classic hotspot model of age progression in an island chain. These facts led some scientists to suggest that the Samoa islands were not formed by the hotspot plume. One possible explanation for the inconsistency of the data with the hotspot formation theory is the fact that the island chain lies just north of the Tonga Trench. An alternative theory is that the islands were formed by magma seeping through cracks in stressed fracture zones. However, in 2005, an international team found new evidence that supports the hotspot model. They gathered additional samples from Savai'i – submarine samples from the deep flanks and rifts of the island. Tests found that these samples are much older than the previously collected samples: They are about five million years old, an age that fits the hotspot model.{{cite journal|bibcode=2006AGUFM.V34B..02K|title=New 40Ar/39Ar Ages for Savai'i Island Reinstate Samoa as a Hotspot Trail with a Linear Age Progression|journal=AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts|volume=2006|pages=V34B–02|last1=Koppers|first1=A. A.|last2=Russell|first2=J. A.|last3=Staudigel|first3=H.|last4=Hart|first4=S. R.|year=2006}}

File:Kermadec Arc.jpg south of the Samoa Islands and north of New Zealand.]]

The 2009 Samoa earthquake and tsunami killed more than 170 people in the Samoa Islands and Tonga. The M8.1 submarine earthquake took place in the region at 06:48:11 local time on September 29, 2009 (17:48:11 UTC, September 29), followed by smaller aftershocks.{{cite web|url=https://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009mdbi.php|title=Magnitude 8.1 – SAMOA ISLANDS REGION|date=2009-09-29|publisher=earthquake.usgs.gov|access-date=22 April 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091007165801/http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Quakes/us2009mdbi.php|archive-date=7 October 2009}} It was the largest earthquake of 2009.{{cite web|title=National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC)|url=http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2009/2009_deaths.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120319150923/http://neic.usgs.gov/neis/eq_depot/2009/2009_deaths.html|archive-date=2012-03-19|access-date=2015-10-01|publisher=Neic.usgs.gov}}

The Vailulu'u Seamount, an active submerged volcano, lies {{Convert|45|km||abbr=on}} east of Ta'u in

American Samoa. It was discovered in 1975 and has since been studied by an international team of scientists, contributing towards understanding of the Earth's fundamental processes.{{cite journal|url=http://dusk.geo.orst.edu/djl/samoa/vailuluu.pdf|journal=Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems|volume=1|issue=12|page=1056{{hyphen}}13|bibcode=2000GGG.....1.1056H|doi=10.1029/2000GC000108|title=Vailulu'u undersea volcano: The New Samoa|year=2000|last1=Hart|first1=S. R.|last2=Staudigel|first2=H.|last3=Koppers|first3=A. A. P.|last4=Blusztajn|first4=J.|last5=Baker|first5=E. T.|last6=Workman|first6=R.|last7=Jackson|first7=M.|last8=Hauri|first8=E.|last9=Kurz|first9=M.|last10=Sims|first10=K.|last11=Fornari|first11=D.|last12=Saal|first12=A.|last13=Lyons|first13=S.|doi-access=free}} Growing inside the summit crater of Vailulu'u is an active underwater volcanic cone, named after Samoa's goddess of war, Nafanua.{{Cite journal|last1=Staudigel|first1=Hubert|last2=Hart|first2=Stanley R.|last3=Pile|first3=Adele|last4=Bailey|first4=Bradley E.|last5=Baker|first5=Edward T.|last6=Brooke|first6=Sandra|last7=Connelly|first7=Douglas P.|last8=Haucke|first8=Lisa|last9=German|first9=Christopher R. |last10=Hudson |first10=Ian|last11=Jones|first11=Daniel|date=2006-04-25|title=Vailulu'u Seamount, Samoa: Life and death on an active submarine volcano|journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences|volume=103|issue=17|pages=6448–6453|doi=10.1073/pnas.0600830103|issn=0027-8424|pmc=1458904|pmid=16614067|bibcode=2006PNAS..103.6448S|doi-access=free}}

The Samoan climate is tropical, with a rainy season from November to April. The island group is frequently hit by tropical cyclones between December and March, due to its position in the South Pacific Ocean.{{cite encyclopedia|title=Samoa: Climate|url=http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-54101/Samoa|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2007-11-26}}

{{Clear}}

File:Volcano eruption Mt Matavanu - Savai'i - 1905 - photo by Thomas Andrew.jpg|Mt Matavanu volcanic eruption on Savai'i island, 1905

File:Afono Village NPS.jpg|Afono village, Tutuila island, American Samoa.

File:Aunu'u Island National National Landmark.jpg|Aunu'u island, offshore of the island of Tutuila, American Samoa

File:1farleftpalms.jpg|A beach on Ofu-Olosega, a volcanic doublet in the Manu'a Group of islands.

File:Fuipisia waterfall - Samoa.jpg|Fuipisia waterfall in Lotofaga, Upolu island.

{{Portal|Geography|Islands|Oceania}}

• Archaeology of Samoa
• Architecture of Samoa
• Coming of Age in Samoa
• Culture of Samoa
• First Samoan Civil War
• Samoan unification
• Second Samoan Civil War
• Siege of Apia
• Tokelauan language (belongs to the group of Samoic languages, and is derived from Samoan)
• Tuvaluan language (belongs to the group of Samoic languages, and is closely related to Samoan)

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.samoa.travel Samoa.travel: Samoa Tourism Authority website]
• {{Cite AmCyc|first=John Denison Jr.|last=Champlin|author-link=John Denison Champlin Jr.|wstitle=Samoan Islands|short=x}}
• {{cite EB9 |wstitle = Navigators' Islands |volume= XVII | page= |short=1}}
• {{Commons category-inline|Samoa Islands}}

{{Islands of Samoa}}

{{Samoa topics}}

{{American Samoa}}

{{Polynesia}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:Archipelagoes of the Pacific Ocean

Category:Archipelagoes of Oceania

Category:Geography of Polynesia

Category:Eastern Indo-Pacific

Category:Marine ecoregions