Samoan Islands

The Samoan Islands are an archipelago in the central South Pacific, composed of volcanic islands and coral atolls. The group is politically divided between the independent state of Samoa and the United States territory of American Samoa.

Major islands include Savai’i and Upolu in independent Samoa and Tutuila in American Samoa; attractions include beaches, volcanic interiors, traditional villages and coral reefs. Transport between islands is by ferry and air services, with each island offering different infrastructure and visitor facilities.

The islands have been settled for millennia by Polynesian peoples with strong customary systems; European contact began in the 18th century and colonial and missionary activity followed. The modern political division evolved in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Located in the central South Pacific Ocean, the Samoan Islands sit roughly midway between Fiji and the Cook Islands and form part of the wider Polynesian region.

• Political division: The island group is politically split between the independent state of Samoa and the U.S. territory of American Samoa.

What to See #

• Savai'i: Savai'i is the largest island in the Samoan group and is located in the independent state of Samoa; it retains large tracts of traditional land and village life.
• Upolu: Upolu hosts the capital city of Apia and is the main transport and administrative island in the independent state of Samoa.
• Tutuila: Tutuila is the largest island of American Samoa and contains the territory's main settlement and port at Pago Pago.