Austral Islands
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| Native name: Îles Australes | |
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| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Archipelago | Polynesia |
| Total islands | 7 |
| Major islands | Tupua'i, Rūrutu, Ra'ivāvae, Rapa Iti |
| Area | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). |
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France
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| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Largest settlement | Rūrutu (pop. 2,322) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 6,820[1] (as of 2012) |
| Density | 43 /km2 (111 /sq mi) |
The Tuha'a Pae or Austral Islands (French: Îles Australes or Archipel des Australes) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, they consist of two separate archipelagos, namely in the northwest the Tupua'i islands (French: Îles Tubuaï) consisting of the Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rūrutu, Tupua'i Island proper and Ra'ivāvae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands (French: Îles basses) composed of the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri (also known as Bass Rocks or Îlots de Bass). Inhabitants of the islands are known for their pandanus fiber weaving skills.[2] The islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines. Austral Islands' population is about 6,300 on almost 150 km2 (58 sq mi). The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupua'i.
Geography
The Tuha'a Pae or Austral Islands (French: Îles Australes or Archipel des Australes) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, the Austral Islands consist of two separate archipelagos. From northwest to southeast they are:
- The Tupua'i Islands (French: Îles Tubuaï), named for one of the main islands. It consists of:
- Îles Maria (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.) in the northwest, part of Rimatara municipality
- Rimatara (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.),
- Rūrutu (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.),
- Tupua'i (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.),
- Ra'ivāvae (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.),
- The Bass Islands (French: Îles Bass) comprise:
- the main island of Rapa Iti (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.),
- the small Marotiri island (Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.) in the southeast, part of Rapa municipality
The islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines.
The chain is associated with the Macdonald hotspot. The only active volcano is the Macdonald seamount (40m depth).[3]
In administrative terms, the Austral Islands (including the Bass Islands) constitute an administrative subdivision, the Tuha'a Pae or Austral Islands (subdivision administrative des (Îles) Australes), one of French Polynesia's five administrative subdivisions (subdivision administratives). Geographically, the administrative subdivision of the Austral Islands is identical with the constituency of the Austral Islands (circonscription des Îles Australes), one of French Polynesia's six constituencies (circonscriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia.
The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupua'i.
See also
- French overseas departments and territories
- Administrative divisions of France
- Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
- List of islands of France
- Politics of French Polynesia
References
External links
- Official site
- Official site, municipalities with maps
- Oceandots.com satellite images at the Wayback Machine (archived December 23, 2010)
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Austral Islands of French Polynesia
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