All Topics  
Austral Islands

 

 
   Email Print
   Bookmark   Link
 

 

Austral Islands
 
 
  Topics Austral Islands Topic Home

The Austral Islands are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia
French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a France overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory ....
, an overseas collectivity of France
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
 in the South Pacific
Oceania

Oceania is a geography, often geopolitics, region consisting of numerous lands—mostly islands in the Pacific Ocean and vicinity. The term "Oceania" was coined in 1831 by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville....
. Geographically, the Austral Islands consist of two separate archipelagos. From northwest to southeast they are: The islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines.

In administrative terms, the Austral Islands (including the Bass Islands
Bass Islands (French Polynesia)

The Bass Islands consist primarily of Rapa Iti and Marotiri . They are usually considered to be the southernmost of the Austral Islands, although this classification is one of geographic and political expediency more so than because of similarities between them and the rest of the Austral Islands....
) constitute an administrative subdivision, the Austral Islands (subdivision administrative des (Îles) Australes), one of French Polynesia
French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a France overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory ....
's five administrative subdivisions
Administrative divisions of French Polynesia

There are two levels of administrative divisions of French Polynesia, five administrative subdivisions each of which is further divided into a total of 48 Commune in France, plus Clipperton Island which is administratively attached to French Polynesia....
 (subdivision administratives).






Discussion
Ask a question about 'Austral Islands'
Start a new discussion about 'Austral Islands'
Answer questions from other users
Full Discussion Forum



Encyclopedia


The Austral Islands are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia
French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a France overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory ....
, an overseas collectivity of France
France

France , officially the French Republic , is a country whose Metropolitan France is located in Western Europe and that also comprises various Overseas departments and territories of France....
 in the South Pacific
Oceania

Oceania is a geography, often geopolitics, region consisting of numerous lands—mostly islands in the Pacific Ocean and vicinity. The term "Oceania" was coined in 1831 by French explorer Jules Dumont d'Urville....
. Geographically, the Austral Islands consist of two separate archipelagos. From northwest to southeast they are:
  • The "Tubuai Islands" , named for one of the main islands. It consists of:
    • Îles Maria in the northwest, part of Rimatara municipality
    • Rimatara ,
    • Rurutu
      Rurutu (Austral Islands)

      Rurutu is the northernmost island in the Austral Islands archipelago of French Polynesia, and the name of a commune consisting solely of that island....
       ,
    • Tubuai
      Tubuai (Austral Islands)

      Tubuai is the name of a group of islands and also the name of its main island, being part of the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean....
       ,
    • Raivavae
      Raivavae

      Raivavae is an island that is part of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia.It sustains a population of 996 people on of land. Its highest point is the top of a dead volcano which is 437 meters high....
       or Raevavae ,
  • The "Bass Islands
    Bass Islands (French Polynesia)

    The Bass Islands consist primarily of Rapa Iti and Marotiri . They are usually considered to be the southernmost of the Austral Islands, although this classification is one of geographic and political expediency more so than because of similarities between them and the rest of the Austral Islands....
    " , is composed of :
    • the main island of Rapa
      Rapa Iti

      Rapa or Rapa Iti as it is sometimes called in more recent years , is the largest and only inhabited island of the Bass Islands in French Polynesia....
       ,
    • the small but inhabited Marotiri
      Marotiri (Austral Islands)

      Marotiri is a group of four uninhabited volcano rocks protruding from the sea , forming the southeastern end of the Austral Islands of French Polynesia....
       island 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.

In administrative terms, the Austral Islands (including the Bass Islands
Bass Islands (French Polynesia)

The Bass Islands consist primarily of Rapa Iti and Marotiri . They are usually considered to be the southernmost of the Austral Islands, although this classification is one of geographic and political expediency more so than because of similarities between them and the rest of the Austral Islands....
) constitute an administrative subdivision, the Austral Islands (subdivision administrative des (Îles) Australes), one of French Polynesia
French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a France overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory ....
's five administrative subdivisions
Administrative divisions of French Polynesia

There are two levels of administrative divisions of French Polynesia, five administrative subdivisions each of which is further divided into a total of 48 Commune in France, plus Clipperton Island which is administratively attached to French Polynesia....
 (subdivision administratives). Geographically, the administrative subdivision of the Austral Islands is identical with the electoral district of the Austral Islands (circonscription des Îles Australes), one of French Polynesia
French Polynesia

French Polynesia is a France overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory ....
's six electoral districts (circonsriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia
Assembly of French Polynesia

The Assembly of French Polynesia is the Unicameralism legislature of French Polynesia, located at the Place Tarahoi in Papeete, Tahiti. It consists of 57 members who are Election by popular vote and by proportional representation in 6 multi-seat Constituency....
.

The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tubuai
Tubuai (Austral Islands)

Tubuai is the name of a group of islands and also the name of its main island, being part of the Austral Islands, French Polynesia, in the Pacific Ocean....
.

See also


  • French overseas departments and territories
    French overseas departments and territories

    The French Overseas Departments and Territories consist broadly of France-administered territories outside of the European continent. These territories have varying legal status and different levels of autonomy, although all have representation in the Parliament of France , and the right to vote in elections to the European Parliament....
  • Administrative divisions of France
    Administrative divisions of France

    Metropolitan France As of January 1, 2008, metropolitan France is divided into:* 22 Regions of France * the regions are subdivided into 96 Departments of France...
  • Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans
    Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans

    Indian Ocean IslandsThe following islands are in the Indian Ocean*R?union - *Mayotte - *French Southern and Antarctic Lands **Amsterdam Island ...
  • List of islands of France
    List of islands of France

    This is a list of islands of metropolitan France France and French oversea islands....
  • Politics of French Polynesia
    Politics of French Polynesia

    Politics of French Polynesia takes place in a framework of a parliamentary system representative democracy French collectivit? d'outre-mer, whereby the President of French Polynesia is the head of government, and of a multi-party system....


External links