View source for Apolima

{{Short description|Island in Samoa}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Apolima
| image_name       = ApolimafromFerry.jpg
| image_caption    = Apolima seen from the Upolu-Savai'i ferry
| image_size       = 220px
| map_image        = Apolima - Samoa.svg
| image_map_caption= Location of Apolima in Samoa
| native_name      = 
| native_name_link = 
| nickname         = 
| location         = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|-13.824|-172.151|region:WS_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago      = 
| total_islands    = 
| major_islands    = 
| area_km2         = 1
| coastline_km     = 4.19
| length_km        = 
| width_km         = 
| highest_mount    = 
| elevation_m      = 
| country          = Samoa
| country_admin_divisions_title     = 
| country_admin_divisions           = 
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = 
| country_admin_divisions_1         = 
| country_admin_divisions_title_2   = 
| country_admin_divisions_2         = 
| country_largest_city              = 
| country_largest_city_population   = 
| population       = 96
| population_as_of = 2006
| density_km2      = 
| ethnic_groups    = 
| additional_info  =
}}
[[File:Apolima island in the background.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Boat with Apolima island in the background.]] 
'''Apolima''' is the smallest of the four inhabited islands of [[Samoa]], in central South Pacific Ocean. It lies 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 96.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sbs.gov.ws/digi/1-Preliminary%20count%20report%202016.V2.pdf |title=Census 2016 Preliminary count |publisher=Samoa Bureau of Statistics |page= |date= |accessdate=2 August 2021}}</ref> The small settlement is situated in the interior's flat plateau, on the northern side.

Apolima is the rim of an extinct volcanic crater with a maximum height of 165 m. Its area is slightly less than one square kilometer. The only access to the island is by boat.

The tiny island lies {{convert|2.4|km|1|abbr=out}} northwest off the westernmost edge of Upolu Island's [[fringing reef]] and {{convert|7|km|0|abbr=on}} southwest of the island of Savai'i. The island's shape is like an upturned bowl surrounded by steep cliffs. There is a broad opening to the sea on the northern side, which is the main entry point. Entry is only 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]].<ref>{{cite web
 |url=http://www.paclii.org/ws/legis/consol_act/tca1963317/ 
 |work=Pacific Islands Legal Information Institute 
 |title=Samoa Territorial Constituencies Act 1963 
 |accessdate=16 December 2009 
 |url-status=dead 
 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605081449/http://www.paclii.org/ws/legis/consol_act/tca1963317/ 
 |archivedate=5 June 2011 
}}</ref>

In August 2022 the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment began discussions with local residents about eradicating rats from the island to protect the local environment.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/99569 |title=Experts eye Apolima for rat eradication project |publisher=Samoa Observer |author=Fuimaono Lumepa Hald |date=28 August 2022 |access-date=28 August 2022}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=200px heights=200px perrow=3 caption="Historical images of Apolima by [[Thomas Andrew (photographer)|Thomas Andrew]] (1855 - 1939)">
File:Entrance.to.Apolima.left.side.Thomas Andrew photo.jpg|Entrance to Apolima, ''left side''
File:Apolima.village,Apolima.Island.circa 1890-1910.jpg|Apolima village, circa 1890 - 1910
File:Interior.of.Apolima.Island.Andrew.Thomas 1904.jpg|Interior of the island, 1904
</gallery>

== See also ==
* [[Samoa Islands]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

{{Aiga-i-le-Tai}}
{{Islands of Samoa}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Islands of Samoa]]
[[Category:Aiga-i-le-Tai]]

{{Samoa-geo-stub}}