Samoa

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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 quot;Westernquot; from its name in 1997. LOCATION: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, about one-half of the way from Hawaii to New Zealand CLIMATE: Tropical; rainy season (October to March), dry season (May to October) BORDERS: None More... Western Samoa consists of nine islands. The largest of these is Savai#8217;i, which covers 1610 sq km (622 sq miles); fertile Upolu, the second largest (1120 sq km/433 sq miles), lies 13km (8 miles) to the southeast across the Apolima Strait. The islands are quiescent volcanoes and reach heights of up to 1858m (6097ft) on Savai#8217;i and 1100m (3608ft) on Upolu. The main city, Apia, is located in the north of Upolu. The most populous island is Upolu. Apia, the capital, lies on the beautiful north coast. Nearby at Vailima is the house built by the Scottish poet and novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived there from 1889 until his death on 5 December 1894. The most beautiful part of Western Samoa is the Aleipata district where waterfalls and white-sand beaches dominate the landscape. From Apia, a 65km (40-mile) drive leads to the Falefa Falls, Mafa Pass and Fuipisia Falls. Savai#8217;i is the largest island in the Samoan archipelago, and has been described as #8216;Polynesia at its truest#8217;.