Austral Islands

Austral Islands

Native name: Îles Australes
Flag of the Austral Islands
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Archipelago	Polynesia
Total islands	7
Major islands	Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rapa Iti, Tubuai
Area	148 km2 (57.1 sq mi)
Country
France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Largest city	Rurutu (pop. 2,088)
Demographics
Population	6,310[1] (as of Aug. 2007 census)
Density	43 /km2 (111 /sq mi)

Map of the Austral Islands

The 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 Tubuai Islands (French: Îles Tubuaï) consisting of the Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai Island proper and Raivavae or Raevavae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands (French: Îles Bass) composed of the main island of Rapa and the small Marotiri. The islands of Maria (Tubuai) and Marotiri (Bass) 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. The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tubuai.

Geography

The 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 Tubuai Islands (French: Îles Tubuaï), named for one of the main islands. It consists of:
  • Îles Maria () in the northwest, part of Rimatara municipality
  • Rimatara (),
  • Rurutu (),
  • Tubuai (),
  • Raivavae or Raevavae (),
• The Bass Islands (French: Îles Bass), is composed of :
  • the main island of Rapa (),
  • the small Marotiri 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) constitute an administrative subdivision, the 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 electoral district of the Austral Islands (circonscription des Îles Australes), one of French Polynesia's six electoral districts (circonsriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia.

The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tubuai.

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

Archipelagos of French Polynesia Society Islands (Leeward Islands • Windward Islands)  Tuamotu Islands      Gambier Islands      Austral Islands      Marquesas Islands

Austral Islands of French Polynesia Tubuai Islands:  Tubuai • Raivavae • Rimatara • Rurutu • Maria Bass Islands:  Rapa • Marotiri Archipelagos of French Polynesia:  Australs • Gambiers • Marquesas • Societies • Tuamotus