What is "apolima"

Apolima is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of Samoa and situated in the Apolima Strait, between the country's two largest islands Upolu to the east and Savai'i to the west.

The island has one village settlement, Apolima Tai with a population of 75 (2006 Census). The small settlement is situated in the interior's flat plateau on the northern side.

Apolima is a rim of an extinct volcanic crater with a maximum height of 165 m. It is a little less than one square kilometer in size and the only access to the island is by boat.

The tiny island lies northwest off the westernmost edge of Upolu's fringing barrier reef and southwest of Savai'i island. The island's appearance is of an upturned bowl with surrounding steep cliffs and a broad opening to the sea on the northern side which is the main entry point by boat.

There are two neighbouring islands in the strait, Manono Island, which has a small population and the smaller uninhabited islet of Nu'ulopa.

Apolima island is part of the political district of Aiga-i-le-Tai.