The Society Islands, French Polynesia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Society Islands Native name: Îles de la Société
The Society Islands (French: Îles de la Société or officially Archipel de la
Société) are a group of islands in the south Pacific Ocean. They are
politically part of French Polynesia. The archipelago is generally believed
to have been named by Captain James Cook in honor of the Royal Society, the
sponsor of the first British scientific survey of the islands; however, Cook
states in his journal that he called the islands Society "as they lay
contiguous to one another".
The islands are divided, both geographically and administratively into two
groups:
* Windward Islands (Îles du Vent) (listed from east to west)
o Mehetia
o Tahiti
o Moorea
o Maiao
o Tetiaroa

* Leeward Islands (Îles Sous-le-Vent)
o Huahine
o Bora Bora
o Raiatea
o Tahaa
o Maupiti
o Tupai
o Mopelia
o Scilly
o Motu One (Bellinghausen)

The islands became a French protectorate in 1843 and a colony in 1880. They
have a population of 227,807 inhabitants (as of August 2007 census). They
cover a land area of 1,590 square kilometres (610 sq miles)
Location : Pacific Ocean
Coordinates: 17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°W / -17.533; -149.833
Archipelago : Society Islands
Major islands : Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine
Area : 1590 km2
Highest point : Mont Orohena (2241 meters)
Country : France
Overseas collectivity : French Polynesia
Largest city : Papeete (pop. 131,695 urban)
Population : 227,807 (as of Aug. 2007 census)
Density : 143 /km2 (370 /sq mi)