Aleipata Islands

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Aleipata Islands
NASA image of the Aleipata Islands, Upolu on the left
NASA image of the Aleipata Islands, Upolu on the left
Waters Pacific Ocean
archipelago Samoa Islands
Geographical location 14 ° 4 ′  S , 171 ° 25 ′  W Coordinates: 14 ° 4 ′  S , 171 ° 25 ′  W
Aleipata Islands (Samoa)
Aleipata Islands
Number of islands 4th
Main island Nu'utele
Total land area 1.68 km²
Residents uninhabited

The Aleipata Islands are a group of four uninhabited islands at the eastern end of Upolu in Samoa with a total area of ​​1.68 km². From a geological point of view , the islands are tuff rings , some of which have sunk into the sea. Administratively, the four islands belong to the district of Atua ( Lufilufi ). The two northern islands (Fanuatapu and Namua) belong to the constituency ( faipule ) Aleipata Itupa-i-lalo , the two southern islands (Nuʻutele and Nuʻulua) belong to Aleipata Itupa-i-luga . The islands are home to the easternmost and southernmost land masses of the state of Samoa.

The islands are important breeding areas for sea birds. Through its sheltered location, many bird species could survive here permanently, such as Samoa monarch ( Myiagra albiventris ), tooth pigeons ( Didunculus strigirostris ) and Earth Dove ( Gallicolumba stairii ).

Sea turtles , dolphins , rays and reef sharks are also found in the waters around the islands .

From an economic point of view, only tourism plays a minor role.

The islands

Nu'utele

Nu'utele is with 1.1 km² the largest of the Aleipata group, like its neighboring islands of volcanic origin and about 250 m high. The remains of a former leper colony can be seen on the island . Like its neighboring island Nu'ulua, the island is no longer within the coral reef that surrounds Upolu, Namua and Fanuatapu.

Nu'ulua

Nuʻulua, 0.25 km² in size, is difficult to reach because strong currents and a steep coast make landing considerably more difficult. Nuʻulua is the southernmost island in the state of Samoa.

Namua

Namua, 0.2 km² in size, is an extinct crater, half of which has already sunk into the sea. On the temporarily inhabited island there is a small resort for tourists who can snorkel and hike on Namua and the other islands. Namua is also a bird sanctuary where numerous sea birds breed.

Fanuatapu

Fanuatapu with 0.15 km² the smallest island of the group, is located about 1.5 km east of Namua, and is the easternmost island of the state of Samoa. There is an automatic lighthouse on the island .

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