|
|
Samoa is a natural paradise on earth with multi-coloured coral dispositions, white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons. Its pristine diving spots, lush tropical greenery and pre-colonial crafts and traditions allures in globetrotters from all parts of the world. Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa, was previously known as Navigators' Islands, German Samoa and Western Samoa in different periods of time. Polynesians first settled in the Samoan islands thousands of years ago and the European traders in the eighteenth century. Towards the end of the 19th century, conflicting interests of the United States of America, Britain and Germany led to signing of a treaty and present-day Samoa came under New Zealand as Western Samoa in 1914. It became the first Pacific Island country to regain its independence on January 1, 1962. Today Samoa is regarded as a constitutional monarchy under Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Located in the Polynesian region of the South Pacific, Samoa holds a strategic location to east of the international dateline and south of the equator. Sprawling over an area of approximately 2934 sq km, it comprises of two large Islands of Upolu and Savai'i and eight small islets of Manono, Apolima, Nuutele, Nuulua, Namua, Fanuatapu, Nuusafee and Nuulopa. |
|
