APIA

city, port, and capital (since 1959) of Western Samoa, South Pacific Ocean, on the north coast of Upolu Island. The city's commercial activities centre on the export of copra, bananas, cocoa, and coffee; staples, including taro and other root crops, are shipped to American Samoa. Vailima, former home of Robert Louis Stevenson, is now the residence of the head of state. Stevenson is buried at Mount Vaea (1,500 feet ) on the town's southern outskirts. The Apia Observatory, the legislative council chambers, and the broadcasting station are on the Mulinuu Peninsula, a promontory dividing Apia Harbour from Vaiusu Bay. The government holds title to the town land. During the period of colonial tensions a severe typhoon on March 16, 1889, destroyed six warships (three German, three U.S.) in the Apia roadstead; only the British ship Calliope escaped. U.S. Marines were garrisoned in Apia during World War II. Pop. (1981) 33,170.