Apia is by far the most populated city in Samoa, and its capital, as well as the main port and center for services and trade for the island nation. It is located on a natural harbor at the mouth of the Vaisigano River. Apia is on a coastal plain, with the heights of Mount Vaea to the south. About one-fifth of the population of Samoa resides in Apia. Before Europeans arrived in Samoa in the 1800s, Apia was a small village; its population was 304 in 1800. A foreign settlement developed around Apia Harbor by the 1850s. The harbor was the site of a naval standoff in 1889 when seven American, British, and German ships refused to leave the harbor in the face of an approaching typhoon, as all three nations were vying for control of Samoa. Six of the seven ships were sunk, the exception being a British ship that left port at the last minute, and managed to survive the storm. When Germany ruled the islands from 1900 to 1914, the city was the capital of German Samoa.
After New Zealand displaced Germany from West Samoa, that country governed the islands, which they named the Western Samoa Trust Territory, from 1920 to 1962. From the early 1900s until Samoa finally won independence in 1962, the streets of Apia were the site of several mostly non-violent protests by the Mau movement.
Today, Apia actually consists of more than forty individual and largely independent villages. The actual village of Apia still exists as a small village between the mouth of the Vaisigano River and the Mulivai River. Along with the village of Mulivai, it forms what is known as downtown Apia.
Apia is not a renowned tourist destination, but it does provide some accommodations, nightlife, and dining facilities. Many festivals and events are held in Apia throughout the year, some of which go on for several days. Fishing tours generally leave from Apia Harbor. Faleolo International Airport, in Apia, is the chief gateway to Samoa. About twenty-five miles from the center of the capital, flights arrive daily from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and Port Moresby. With only one terminal, the airport is smaller than other international airports, but it offers plenty of facilities to keep passengers comfortable while they await their flight. Offering passage to American Samoa, as well as charter flights, Fagalii Airport is also in Apia. Many visitors choose to tour the islands by traveling around the archipelago by boat, and the busiest boating route is between Apia and Saleloga, the largest settlement on Savai'i.
The National University of Samoa, the only university in Samoa, is in Apia. The University of the South Pacific, with its main campus in Fiji, has a campus in Apia. The Robert Louis Stevenson School, an upper-class primary and secondary school, is also in Apia. The writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, lived the last four years of his life in Apia and is buried on Mount Vaea. His home is now a museum, open to visitors.
Recommended Resources
In business since 2000, the guest accommodations include ocean-view deluxe rooms, with a balcony overlooking the Pacific Ocean, as well as one-bedroom standard bungalows cooled by fans or an air conditioner. Directions to the Apia, Samoa facilities are set forth, with descriptions and photographs of the rooms, rates, and an overview of the facilities. Its policies are set forth, and a blog is included.
http://www.airportlodgesamoa.com/
In business for more than twenty-five years, the hotel is located in downtown Apia, Samoa. Room selections include single rooms, double rooms, and family rooms. Photos of the accommodations and common areas are included, along with its rates in US dollars, a list of amenities and other details about the facilities and services, its reservation and cancellation policies, directions, and contacts.
https://www.apiacentralhotel.com/
Organized in 1997, the Apia, Samoa center hosts the Apia Harvest Church, founded by Michael and Elaine Boyle, Baptist ministers who came from New Zealand to Samoa in early 1994. Directions, service schedules, and a calendar of activities and events are published to the site, along with a church newsletter in Samoan and English, an overview of its ministries, and leadership contacts.
http://apiaharvestcentre.ws/
The Faleolo Airport in Apia, Samoa offers direct jet service to many major airports in the Pacific Ocean region and serves as a gateway to the islands of Samoa. Featured are daily flight schedules, a list of airlines serving the airport, ground transportation options, and information for foreigners visiting Samoa, including demographics, currency, Euro and dollar exchange rates, electricity data, and other tips.
http://apia.airport-authority.com/
Located in Apia, the capital city of Samoa, on Upolu Island, the hotel offers budget rooms on the ground floor, standard rooms on the first and second floor, and deluxe rooms with a private balcony, and access to a turtle-shaped swimming pool. The accommodations are described, including a list of amenities, photographs, nightly rates, and special offers. Its location and contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.hotelmilleniasamoa.com/
Headquartered in the ACE Hardware building in Apia, Samoa, the newspaper’s web edition features local and regional news and reports on local events and activities, sports reports, particularly rugby, netball, and others. Other resources include local political issues, editorials, and letters to the editor. Office hours and contacts are posted, and advertising opportunities are outlined.
http://www.iniinisamoa.com/
Founded in 1959, the Samoa-based airline focuses on short-haul operations between Samoa and American Samoa, and on-demand charter services to the big island of Savaii and neighboring islands. Its history, board of directors and management are identified, and flights may be booked online. An overview of its policies, products, and services is provided, and a private login for agents is included.
http://www.polynesianairlines.com/
Established in 1968, the family owned and operated real estate company is based in Apia, Samoa. A small Pacific island nation, less than twenty percent of Samoa’s land can be bought and sold in the local market as freehold property, so the company mostly deals in the selling and buying of freehold land, as well as property management and development services. Its office location, residential and commercial listings, office hours and contacts are posted.
https://samoarealty.net/
Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey’s Hotel & Bungalows
Situated in Apia, Samoa, the hotel offers a hundred and seventy-five rooms, bungalows and suites, which are highlighted here, with photographs, descriptions, and a list of amenities and features. An overview of the facilities, on-site restaurant, meeting and event spaces, a calendar of activities, and transportation options. Special offers are posted to the site, and rooms may be booked online.
http://www.sheratonsamoaaggiegreyshotel.com/
About forty-five minutes from the Faleolo International Airport and five minutes from the capital of Samoa, the resort is situated on an exclusive island just outside of Apia, Offering a choice of eighty hotel rooms and a mix of self-contained villas, the accommodations are described in photographs and descriptions, along with its dining, spa and fitness facilities, meeting rooms, rates, and special offers.
http://www.taumeasinaislandresortsamoa.com/
Situated eight kilometers from Apia, the capital of Samoa, the art center began in 1989 and has grown to include an art school, an art therapy program, a gallery, and studio. Available are studio spaces, gallery space, a cafe, artist housing and a bed and breakfast facility, as well as a traditional Samoan fale, which was commissioned in 2013. Portfolios of the work of some of the center’s artists are featured, and artist applications are available online.
https://www.creativesamoa.com/
