Windward Islands (Society Islands)
Archipelago in French Polynesia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Windward Islands (French: Îles du Vent [il dy vɑ̃]) are the eastern group of the Society Islands in the 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 |
| 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) |
Geography
The 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
Administrative
The 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).
