The Samoan Islands: Midway Between Hawaii & New Zealand

The Samoan Islands (8 major, many smaller) straddle the South Pacific at ~14°S, 172°W—roughly halfway between Hawaii (2,600 mi NE) and New Zealand (2,300 mi SW).

• Independent Samoa (Western Samoa): Upolu, Savai'i, Manono, Apolima. Capital: Apia. 200,000 people. Independent 1962.
• American Samoa (US Territory): Tutuila, Aunu'u, Ofu, Olosega, Ta'ū, Rose Atoll. Capital: Pago Pago. 45,000 people.

Seven islands west of the International Date Line (UTC+13/14); one (Rose Atoll) east. The Date Line jogs east around the group—so Samoa is among the first to greet each new day.

Culture: Fa'a Samoa (the Samoan way)—communal, hierarchical, oral, tattoo (pe'a/malu), dance (siva), navigation. Language: Samoan (Polynesian) + English.