UPOLU 13°49'00"S 171°45'30'W WESTERN SAMOA ISLANDS General Upoluis the most important and second largest of the nine major islands in the independent country of Western Samoa. This group of islands was a former German colony, then a League of Nations mandated territory, and finally a UN trusteeship administered by New Zealand. istered by NZ on Samoa request. Foreign affairs are currently admin- Physical Data Upolu is 36 miles west-northwest of theislandof Tutuila (American Samoa), and eight miles east-southeast of Savaii, the largest island in the Samoa group. It is about 47 miles long from east to west, and 15 miles at its widest point, and covers an area of approximately 430 square miles. All of the Samoan islands are of volcanic origin, surrounded by coral reef, and lie in the Pacific earthquake belt. Upolu is mountainous, rising to a height of 3,608 feet, and is a series of extinct volcanos traversing the length of the island. The mountains slope more steeply into the sea on the south side than on the north side. The eastern part is more mountainous than the otherareas. Broad coastal plains are found on the north and south sides of the western portion of the main mountain range. The volcanic soil is rich and fertile and is farmed extensively wherever level stretches can be found along the narrow coasts, mountain valleys, delta areas, and coastal plains. Dense vegetation prevails throughout the Island. Climate The climate of Upoluis mild, equable, and healthy. averages 85°9F, maximum 94°F, minimum 61°F. Temperature December is the hottest month and July is the coldest, but the mean temperature for July is on an average of only 2.25°9F below the December average. The dry season is May to October. The wet seasonis November to April. January rainfall records range from 5 to 65 inches. A 21 year record of annual rainfall shows a variance of 130 to 284 inches a year. The typhoon season occurs from January to March, occasionally extending into April. The prevailing east trade winds blow east-southeast most of the year. During the dry season, the winds are fairly constant but through the wet season the winds are broken by frequent periods of calm, Facilities Apia, thenation's capital, has the only deep ocean port in Western Samoa. Ocean liners can dock at a 600 ft. wharf which is equipped for handling heavy cargoes. It has the world famous Apia Observatory, founded in 1902 by Germany, whose specialties include meteorology, terrestrial magnetism, seismology and oceanography. In Apia there is a 280 bed government hospital; also, over 200 hotel rooms including 90 at Aggie Greyes, and 75 at the Casino Hotel. Rental vehicles are available. Commercial air and boat service from Tutuila is on a daily basis. Valid passport and visa are required, but no permit or visa is needed for stays of 3 days or less. 26-1 VOL IIL