Samoa: Exploring the Volcanic 'Islands of the Navigators'

The Polynesian island nation of Samoa consists of nine volcanic islands in the South Pacific, north of New Zealand. Only four islands are inhabited: Upolu, Savai'i, Apolima, and Manono.

Samoa was under New Zealand's control until 1962. It was formerly known as the 'Islands of the Navigators' due to its skilled sailors.

Along with Kiribati and New Zealand, Samoa is among the first countries to welcome the New Year. It is 12 hours ahead of Greece, and its national currency is the tala (3 tala equals 1 euro).

In the capital Apia, on Upolu, you can visit the Clock Tower and the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum. The Scottish writer lived and died in Samoa in 1894. There is also the Samoa Cultural Village and the Immaculate Conception Cathedral.