The Windward Islands (French: Îles du Vent [il dy vɑ̃]) are the eastern group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. These islands were also previously named the Georgian Islands in honour of King George III of the United Kingdom.[2][3]
Native name: Îles du Vent | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°W |
| Archipelago | Society Islands |
| Major islands | Tahiti, Moorea, Tetiaroa |
| Area | 1,195 km2 (461 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,241 m (7352 ft) |
| Highest point | Mont Orohena |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Largest settlement | Papeete (capital) (pop. 131,695 urban) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 194,623[1] (Aug. 2007 census) |
| Pop. density | 163/km2 (422/sq mi) |
History
editPolynesians settled on the Windward Islands sometime from 800 to 1000 AD. In 1880, France annexed the Windward Islands, being a part of Établissements français de l'Océanie.
Geography
editThe archipelago comprises an administrative division (French: subdivision administrative) of French Polynesia, and includes the following islands:
The capital of the administrative district is Papeete on the island of Tahiti. Tahiti, Moorea, and Mehetia are volcanic islands. Tetiaroa and Maiao are coral atolls.
Culture
editFrench and Tahitian[4] are co-official languages throughout French Polynesia.[5]
Administrative
editThe Windward Islands form the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands (subdivision administrative des Îles du Vent), one of French Polynesia's five administrative subdivisions.[6] The administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands geographically co-extensive with the electoral district of the Windward Islands (circonscription des Îles du Vent), one of French Polynesia's 6 electoral districts (circonscriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia (see also Politics of French Polynesia).
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). "Recensement de la population 2007" (PDF) (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-12-03. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
- ^ "CENTRAL POLYNESIA. No. 14. A GAZETTEER OF CENTRAL POLYNESIA - (CONTINUED)". Sydney Morning Herald. 8 June 1857. p. 8. Retrieved 30 June 2023 – via National Library of Australia.
- ^ George French Angas (1866). Polynesia; A popular description of the physical features, inhabitants, natural history, and productions of the islands of the Pacific. With an account of their discovery, and the progress of civilisation and christianity amongst them. London: Society For Promoting Christian Knowledge. p. 281 – via NZETC.
- ^ a b "Te Reo Tahiti". University of Hawaiʻi. Retrieved 2023-05-22.
- ^ "30 Useful Tahitian Words and Phrases". Entire Travel Group. 1 November 2019. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- ^ "French Polynesia Subdivisions". www.statoids.com. Retrieved 2023-05-22.