Grids & Datums: The Islands of Samoa

Thanks to information from American Samoa Tourism 2009 and Samoan Sensation 2011, we know that the islands of independent Samoa are comprised of nine islands: Savai'i and Upolu with the most inhabitants, and with only two others, Manono and Apolima being inhabited. The other five are: Fanuatapu, Namu'a, Nuutele, Nuulua, and Nuusafee. American Samoa, a territory of the United States, is comprised of five volcanic islands: Tutuila, Ta'u, Ofu, Olosega, Aunu'u, and of two atolls: Rose Atoll and Swain's Island. Polynesians first migrated to the Samoan Islands more than 3,000 years ago. In 1722, the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen became the first European to arrive in Samoa, but for most of the 18th century European influence was limited to occasional trading with ships that passed through the islands. In 1872 the U.S. Navy established a harbor in Pago Pago on the island of Tutuila. In 1899, Western Samoa was passed into German hands while the U.S. took control of what is now American Samoa. In 1914, New Zealand took control of Western Samoa and it was the first Polynesian state to gain independence in 1962.