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Samoa

food / travel

Samoa, Tropical Paradise Burdened By German Past

The island was a German colony until 1914, which was once a source of pride and income for many. A century later, this part of its history is deepening Samoa's economic and social woe.

APIA — This South Pacific island hasn't fought a single war in hundreds of years. Here, there is no such thing as a national crisis or an ethnic conflict. Crime is virtually non-existant. A bank robbery that took place five years ago was the first in Samoan history — it is still a topic of discussion.

There are no cold snaps or extreme heat waves in Samoa. You won't find tropical diseases or dangerous animals here, either. The average temperature is 27 °C (80.6 °F). Regular rainfall, combined with an extremely fertile soil, allows a bountiful harvest from only a few seeds. Thick forests and lush vegetation give way to green rolling hills, dotted with small villages decorated with the most beautiful flowers. White beaches are all around.

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