Fiji and Samoa are both Pacific Islands that have similar geographic features. Fiji is a volcanic island and is made of several hundred islands in total. Both Fiji and Samoa inhabitants speak English as well as their native languages. Because they are both Pacific Islands they have similar habitats. They are tropical with pristine beaches all along their coasts. Both experience sunny, warm summers and wet winters. Fiji has more inhabitants than Samoa, but they both contain most of their citizens on their two largest islands.

Both Fiji and Samoa have strong cultural heritage and locals practice their culture regularly. Both provide traditional villages and old ways of the island lifestyle. Most people in these islands live in small towns that are not as technologically advanced as major American cities. However, because Fiji is so much larger than Samoa, it is faster to adapt to certain advancements.

The first comparison between Fiji and Samoa is their absolute and relative locations. Fiji’s absolute location coordinates are 17.7134 degrees South, 178.0650 degrees East while Samoa’s absolute location coordinates are 13.7590 degrees South, 172.1046 degrees West. Therefore, these countries are very close in terms of location on Earth. However, their relative locations are different. Samoa is located farther from major continents than Fiji and experiences slightly rougher weather due to the difference in positioning. Their locations in the Pacific Ocean provide very similar weather patterns which makes the islands have very similar vegetation. Overall, they are both surrounded by water in the Pacific Ocean and are at will to certain weather disasters.

http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/mapsonline/base-maps/fiji-samoa-tonga

The second comparison between these countries is their physical place. This describes the landscape and the vegetation that grows among the islands. Both Fiji and Samoa have tropical qualities with palm trees, thick vegetation, and very similar climates. Weather changes throughout the year, but is most consistently warm, humid, and sunny on these islands. Both countries are covered in green plants and trees lined with a thin layer of pristine sand surrounding their borders. Because Samoa and Fiji are located so closely, they are forced to eat similar styles of food and maintain a diet that focuses on fish and natural fruits and vegetables. However, Fiji has several native bats and flying foxes. Samoa’s wildlife consists of pigs, cattle, and rats. Both Fiji and Samoa have many lizards, snakes, and insects that all thrive in these tropical environments. Although these countries consist of many islands, the majority of each population is located on the two largest islands of each country.

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The third topic of geography between these two countries is the interaction between humans and the natural environment that they live in. Both communities rely on farming as part of their food source and devote part of their lands as crop land. Although farming is used in both Fiji and Samoa, tourism is also a big part of their human environment interaction. The islands are beautiful with vibrant colors all around and an old-school vibe that comes with the small towns and low-level technology they have. Tourists travel all across the world to visit these islands and see their natural beauties. Because Samoa is located further from the main coast, it experiences rougher weather at times. Samoan people have to deal with tsunamis and flooding because of their isolation at sea. Furthermore, the environment is the main attraction in both of these countries and citizens have a strong desire and motivation to keep their islands pristine. Fiji is a culturally mixed country and accepts many religions and backgrounds. However, the most dominant religion is Christianity which is the official religion of Samoa. The two countries practice very similar beliefs and lifestyles on these islands.

https://www.tourist-destinations.net/2012/04/fiji-a-dream-vacation-in-the-sun.html

Movement is also a key factor when discussing the differences in geography between Samoa and Fiji. Because both countries are isolated at sea, they have developed very similar strategies for movement. Both developed boats and now provide water taxi services. On the islands, taxis, buses, cars, and motorcycles can be found on the streets. They have also developed a train system. Since the islands are so similar, transportation services also have to be similar. Both countries exchange in imports and exports, and while they share several common imports, they do have some differences. These include the large amounts of beef that Samoa imports for food. The similarities include mineral fuels, machinery, and manufactured goods. Rather than the old-school method of traveling by sea, these countries also provide air services for quicker transportation. However, they do use large ships to transport their imports and exports. Their communities migrated similarly and both focused on the two major islands of their countries to provide the main living necessities and customs.

https://fhta.com.fj/news/page/74/

The fifth and final aspect of geographic differences and similarities between these Pacific Islands, is their regions. Both countries consist of many islands. Their islands make it easy to determine and define different regions. Fiji consists of 17 political districts while Samoa is only made up of eleven. Furthermore, the vernacular boundaries of these regions are even more similar. Both consist of beaches that look out at what seems like a never-ending sea. Although these communities have over ten districts each, the majority of their populations lie on their two biggest islands. Fiji’s two largest islands are Viti Levu and Vanua Levu. Samoa’s two largest islands are Savai’i and Upolu.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lauriewerner/2015/08/17/where-to-stay-in-fiji-now/#8d6e81f2b946

 

References

Macdonald, Barrie K., and Sophie Foster. “Fiji.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 28 June 2018, http://www.britannica.com/place/Fiji-republic-Pacific-Ocean/Land.

“Samoa and Fiji’s Shared History.” Samoa Observer, http://www.samoaobserver.ws/en/23_03_2016/local/4000/Samoa-and-Fiji’s-shared-history.htm.

“Samoa-Nature & Geography.” South Pacific Tourism Organisation – Specialist, southpacificspecialist.org/samoa-nature-geography/.

Foster, Sophie, and Barrie K. Macdonald. “Fiji.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 15 Nov. 2018, http://www.britannica.com/place/Fiji-republic-Pacific-Ocean/People.

“Human Environment Interaction – Fiji-Kashmir_Stanley.” Google Sites, sites.google.com/a/doane.edu/fiji-kashmir_stanley/human-environment-interaction.

“Where Is Samoa?” World Atlas, Worldatlas, 2 Oct. 2015, http://www.worldatlas.com/oc/ws/where-is-samoa.html.

“Samoa Revives Livestock and Agriculture Industries.” World Bank, http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/11/05/samoa-revives-livestock-and-agriculture-industries.