The islands of Samoa: where is it, how do they live there?

Who did not dream of leaving on the exotic islands lost in the ocean, in order to relax from all civilization from the rest of civilization? Incredible beauty of sandy beaches, hot sun, giving the body a chocolate tint, picturesque landscapes amaze even the most sophisticated travelers. Thanks to the remoteness from the whole world, the paradise tropical corners are extraordinarily attractive for world tourism. The leaders of a relaxing holiday - the islands of Hawaii, Galapagos, Samoa - have a volcanic origin. The more interesting to visit the fantastically beautiful lands created without any human intervention.

The islands of Samoa - where is it?

In the Pacific paradise there are islands that became independent more than fifty years ago. Not touched by civilization, they are a real godsend for all lovers of traveling and sunbathing, simultaneously enjoying underwater views and local landscapes. The country includes 10 islands, the largest of them are travelers, and the rest are either small or uninhabited.

Excursion to the history

The volcanic archipelago, according to researchers, was inhabited in the 5th century AD, and later it becomes a developing center of Polynesian culture. A navigator from the Netherlands opened the islands of Samoa in the Pacific for Europeans in the early 18th century. The French traveler Bougainville visits the archipelago a few years later during his round-the-world expedition. Until the end of the XIX 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 possess it. According to the Berlin Treaty, the islands were divided: Western Samoa, which gained independence in sixty-three years, departed Germany, and the eastern part was taken over by the United States.

American (Eastern) Samoa

A small part of the archipelago that has departed America consists of seven small islands. Residents living here do not participate in presidential elections and are not citizens of the United States, but are under their protection. The surface of the earth here forms high mountain peaks, and most of the villages are located in coastal areas.

Attractions of American Samoa

Tourists, dreaming of secluded rest, visit the deserted island of Aunnu. The picturesque landscape will help you to relax from the hustle and bustle of city life, and silence will become a real gift for dreamy lovers. Approaching quicksand, which is famous for the island, is very dangerous, so it's better to admire their incessant game from afar.

American Samoa is famous and fantastically beautiful bay of Maama with huge stones of the most bizarre form, which are broken into the smallest water particles rolling waves. A small stretch of deserted shore attracts with its unearthly beauty. You can not leave without being photographed against the background of the boiling water boiling in the bay.

The capital of Pago Pago is considered a true landmark of the islands. Poor wooden huts are combined with beautiful buildings in exotic style. A small town is extremely popular with tourists, hurrying to stroll through small streets with expensive restaurants and fashionable hotels. The parking of expensive liners and the Haydon museum, which clearly represents the art of the islanders, leave an unforgettable impression in memory. However, tourists note the specific smell of the capital because of the close location of fish factories, which you have to get used to.

Western part of Samoa archipelago

The independent islands of Samoa are located in the very center of Polynesia and consist of two relatively large (Upolu and Savaii), but occupying ninety-six percent of the entire area of the country, where almost the entire population lives, and eight other small and uninhabited. The mountain relief of the island is associated with high tectonic activity. The capital of the state is a small town Apia, built up by houses in the European style, but at the same time preserving the local flavor.

The island of Upolu (Samoa) is extremely attractive for tourists. There are the most popular beaches, and one stands out with exotic black sand color. Not very famous lake Lanotoo with cool water of dark emerald color is teeming with small golden fish, not afraid to swim to the hands of people. And ancient legends say that no one knows the exact depth, although many tried to reach the bottom, but did not succeed in this.

The island in the Samoa archipelago hides the main attraction - the nature pool formed inside the crater of an extinct volcano. Local residents have long equipped a deep pond for bathing, constructing a staircase and a self-made pier, and hundreds of travelers are delighted with 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 majority of the population of the island are Christians, but there are also coexisting representatives of another faith. Aborigines live in unified communities, which are the main unit of the archipelago society and consist of several generations of relatives. The highest status is maintained by the leader, who heads the Samoan society and is responsible for all spheres of family affairs.

Residents honor the ancient culture, combining religious beliefs with local traditions, observing all international and local holidays. As a Christian country, Western Samoa conducts various festivals to observe religious rites. In addition, the islands are famous for their colorful dance and song festivals, in which the entire local population participates, and visitors are surprised by 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. On the mountain ranges of rocks once flowed for a long time, and now erupted erupting lava. The islands of Samoa that are admired are covered with tropical thickets of fern, bamboo, mangrove forests growing in clear water. Particularly rich is the western part of valuable timber, which is used by the local population for housing construction. But the land resources are deprived of fertility, with the exception of the processed coastal areas.

The last shelter of Stevenson

The islands of Samoa became the last 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 division of the country between major states, after which he gained the glory of the hero. He was buried at the top of the mountain, having hewn a rock like a sarcophagus and strictly forbidding the use of firearms, so that no noise disturbs the spirit of the writer, but only the birds sang their songs on his grave. For all tourists who ventured to climb to the heights, two interesting routes were developed. Without knowing it, Stevenson turned visiting his place of rest into a little adventure. It must be said that the aborigines remember him to this day: the name of the author of the "Treasure Island" is the hotel, street and cafe, and tourists are invited to visit the writer's museum located on Upolu.

Unforgettable vacation in the islands

To visit the island is best to plan a vacation from early May to late October. Clear weather without rains and strong hurricanes will leave a lot of pleasant impressions. The tropical climate attracts numerous tourists who do not like exhausting heat, because the average temperature on the island is twenty-six degrees a year.

What do you need to know for travelers visiting the islands of Samoa? The ocean and snow-white sand, on which it is so nice to lie, are the key moments of rest for all visitors. Entrance to the beach costs money, this small, but mandatory fee goes to community expenses. An additional fee is taken from fishermen, whose catch is perceived as a certain threat to the country living by the gifts of the ocean. All the divers of the planet dream to visit American Samoa, which provides diving services in areas of wrecks and coral reefs, but it should be mentioned that it is impossible to get there without a tourist visa.

Safety regulations

Before stepping on the remote from the civilization of the island, it is worth taking care of your health. To do this, in advance vaccinations are made from hepatitis, cholera, poliomyelitis, yellow fever, and on the island it is necessary to use special means from mosquitoes - carriers of various diseases. Water in the country is chlorinated, but for drinking visitors are best to use boiled. All tourists must comply with the rules of the island state and remember that it is forbidden to drink alcohol on the street and the beach, and on Sunday alcohol is only sold in local hotels and only guests of the country.

The tropical islands of Samoa seem to have been created by nature for an unforgettable holiday. Probably, nevertheless it is necessary to overcome a considerable way to fully enjoy the unique nature and unique views that amaze the imagination.