Samoa

At a Glance

Samoa is a Polynesian island nation in the South Pacific with a culture deeply rooted in the concept of fa'a Samoa, the Samoan way, which centres communal life, traditional authority, and a profound connection to land and ocean. The landscape is lush and volcanic, with waterfalls, blowholes, and beaches fringed by rainforest. Those who travel with respect for local custom will find an extraordinary warmth and a way of life that is genuinely different from anywhere in the Western world.

• The word 'tattoo' comes from the Samoan word 'tatau'.
• Robert Louis Stevenson chose to live and die here, calling it 'the finest place I have been'.
• Changed which side of the International Date Line it sits on in 2011 — skipping an entire day.