The islands of the Samoan archipelago lie about 14 degrees south of the equator in the central Pacific Ocean. Politically, they are divided into two groups: Samoa (formerly Western Samoa), an independent state; and American Samoa, a territory of the USA. The islands have been formed as a result of complex volcanic activity; they are geologically young. As with most islands of the Pacific, many of the plants and animals of the Samoan Islands are found nowhere else on Earth. Samoan Land Snails and Slugs is intended to permit identification of most of the terrestrial snails and slugs of the Samoan Islands. It is intended to be accessible to the amateur naturalist but also to provide the experienced scientist with a compact resource of information. Samoan Land Snails and Slugs covers both the native species and the non-native, introduced species, which are generally more frequently encountered, especially ar low elevations and in habitats disturbed by human activities.