Area 148 km² Population 6,820 (Aug 2012) | ||
Islands Tubuai, Rapa Iti, Rurutu, Raivavae, Rimatara | ||
The Tuhaa Pae or Austral Islands (French: ) 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 Tupuai islands (French: ) consisting of the Iles Maria, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tupuai Island proper and Raivavae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands (French: ) composed of the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri (also known as Bass Rocks or Ilots de Bass). Inhabitants of the islands are known for their pandanus fiber weaving skills. 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 Tupuai.
Contents
Map of Austral Islands
Geography
The Tuhaa Pae or Austral Islands (French: ) 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 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).
In administrative terms, the Austral Islands (including the Bass Islands) constitute an administrative subdivision, the Tuhaa Pae or Austral Islands (subdivision administrative des (Iles) Australes), one of French Polynesias five administrative subdivisions (subdivision administratives). Geographically, the administrative subdivision of the Austral Islands is identical with the constituency of the Austral Islands (circonscription des Iles Australes), one of French Polynesias six constituencies (circonscriptions electorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia.
The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupuai.