PARADISE FOUND

The small nation of Samoa lies about halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii, geographically and culturally in the heart of Polynesia. Known as the ‘Jewel of the Pacific’, Samoa is blessed with stunning natural beauty, a laid-back lifestyle and vibrant culture. A paradise devoid of mega-resorts and tacky theme parks, it’s inhabited by people as warm and welcoming as the tropical sun, devout in their religion and proud of their Fa’a Samoa (Samoan Way).

THE SAMOAN ARCHIPELAGO

The Samoan archipelago comprises ten islands grouped at 14 degrees south of the equator, just west of the International Date Line. Their combined land area amounts to 2,934 square kilometres consisting of four main inhabited islands — Upolu, Savai’i, Manono and Apolima — and six smaller uninhabited around the south-east point of Upolu and the southern part of Apolima Strait. The islands are surrounded by a deep maritime Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covering 120,000sq km — the smallest in the South Pacific.

Upolu is Samoa’s main island, with 75 per cent of the population, and its largest city, Apia, is the seat of government and centre of commerce. A central mountain range extends the length of the island, with a high point at Mauga Fito (1,100m). Savai’i is the largest island in Samoa and the fourth largest in Polynesia, with a mountainous hinterland rising to its highest peak at Mt Silisili (1,866m). Upolu and Savai’i are separated by the Apolima Strait but connected by a regular