Location Pacific Ocean Area 1,195 km (461 sq mi) Highest point Mont Orohena Elevation 2,241 m | Archipelago Society Islands Highest elevation 2,241 m (7,352 ft) Overseas collectivity French Polynesia | |
 | ||
Major islands Tahiti, Moorea, Mehetia, Tetiaroa Largest settlement Papeete (pop. 131,695 urban) Islands Tahiti, Mo'orea, Tetiaroa, Mehetia | ||
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 originally named the Georgian Islands in honor of King George III of England.
Contents
Map of Windward Islands, French Polynesia
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 (circonsriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia (see also Politics of French Polynesia).