Windward Islands (Society Islands)

The Windward Islands (French: Îles du Vent) 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.

This article is about the eastern islands of French Polynesia. For the Caribbean island group within the Lesser Antilles, see Windward Islands. For the main islands of Hawaii, see Hawaiian Windward Islands.
Windward Islands
Native name:
Îles du Vent
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates17°32′S 149°50′W
ArchipelagoSociety Islands
Major islandsTahiti, Moorea, Mehetia, Tetiaroa
Area1,195 km2 (461 sq mi)
Highest elevation2,241 m (7352 ft)
Highest pointMont Orohena
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
Largest settlementPapeete (capital) (pop. 131,695 urban)
Demographics
Population194,623[1] (Aug. 2007 census)
Pop. density163/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 high islands. Tetiaroa and Maiao are coral atolls.

Culture

The majority of the population speaks French and Tahitian (co-official with French throughout French Polynesia).

Administrative

Administratively, 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. Geographically, the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands is identical 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).

References
  1. 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.
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