THE ISLAND GROUPS CUTTING THE HAWAII–NEW ZEALAND DEEP These islands fall into four groups, the Samoan archipelago, the Wallis archipelago and the Tokelau and Phoenix groups.
The Samoan Archipelago, an insular series of much importance, is a chain of many island-groups, the five principal of which, are from west to east, Savaii (area 66o sq.m.) ; Upolu (area about 575 sq.m.), under New Zealand mandate; and Tutuila (40.2 sq.m.) Manua and Rose I. the property of the United States of America, all lying between lats. 13° 3o'-14° 35' S. and longs. 168° oo' and 173° W. Pop. New Zealand mandated Samoa (1934) 49,048 natives, 3,017 European and half-castes, Chinese 632, others 95. Total 52,792. American Samoa total area 6o sq.m. Pop. (193o) 10,055. All the main islands except Rose island, which is a coral atoll carrying two islets (uninhabited), are high volcanic islands surrounded by many coral reefs. Volcanic activ ity though generally quiescent is still liable to outbursts, as for instance in Savaii in 1905 when the lava flowing from a cone in the centre of the island devastated much of the previously fertile soil.
The group is well-watered and the igneous soil generally very fertile, with the result that the vegetation is luxuriant, and the scenery in the valleys running down from the mountains to the sea is very beautiful.
There are fairly good reef-protected harbours at Saluafata and at Apia (both on the N. side of Upolu Island), though it was at Apia, in the hurricane season of March 1889, that a famous tidal-wave destroyed most of the shipping which happened to be lying within the harbour. But the one really good harbour in the group is that at Pango Pango, on the south side of Tutuila— which island, with all others to the east of it, is United States owned.
Climate, Flora and Fauna.—The climate, though moist and sometimes oppressively hot, is pleasant on the whole. The fine season lasts from April to September, the wet from October to March. The temperature is equable—at Apia the mean annual temperature is 78° F, the warmest month being December (8o°) and the coldest July (75°-76°). The prevalent winds are south
east trades, but west winds supervene from January to March. The Samoan forests are remarkable for the size and variety of their trees—hardwood trees, useful for boat-building, being espe cially characteristic of Savaii. The luxuriance and beauty of ferns, creepers and epiphytes is very notable.
Of the very limited land fauna of Samoa, consisting mainly of a rat, a few snakes, and a few birds, the most interesting member of which is a ground pigeon (Didunculus strigirostris), which forms a link between the extinct Dodo and the extant African Treroninae. The marine fauna is as abundant and varied as else where in the tropical South Seas.
The Samoans are Polynesians of the purest breed; they indeed dispute with the Hawaiians a claim to be the original Polynesian stock.
The history of Samoa is dealt with in a separate article.
The ex-German Territory of Western Samoa is now (1929) ad ministered by New Zealand under a mandate of the League of Nations, while Eastern Samoa (Tutuila, Manua, etc.) is in the possession of the United States. Administration etc. in this terri tory is discussed elsewhere.
In Western Samoa there is a legislative council of not less than six official members. Unofficial members must not exceed in number the official members. Three unofficial members are elected members. The administrator is entitled to preside over every meeting of the council. There is a native council which advises the administrator in native affairs. There are four Government schools and also schools conducted by various missions. There are over 1 r,000 scholars. The inhabitants of the islands profess Christianity (Protestants, Catholics and Mormons). Coco-nut, cacao and bananas are the principal products and copra is the chief article of export. The cultivation of cotton and rubber tapping has been recommenced (1918-28). In 1925-26 the rev enue was £150,038, and the expenditure £145,688. The revenue is augmented by an annual subsidy from New Zealand.