Austral Islands


The Austral Islands are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of the French Republic in the South Pacific. Geographically, they consist of two separate archipelagos, namely in the northwest the Tupua'i islands consisting of the Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rūrutu, Tupua'i Island proper and Ra'ivāvae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands composed of the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri. 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 6,965 on almost. The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupua'i.

History

vessels were among the earliest and most consistent visitors to the islands in the 19th century. The first such vessel for which a record exists is the New Hazard in 1813. These ships came for fresh drinking water, firewood and food provisions. Sometimes they also took aboard islanders to serve as crewmen on their ships.

Geography

The Tuha'a Pae or Austral Islands 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.
In administrative terms, the Austral Islands constitute an administrative subdivision, the Tuha'a Pae or Austral Islands, one of French Polynesia's five administrative subdivisions. Geographically, the administrative subdivision of the Austral Islands is identical with the constituency of the Austral Islands, one of French Polynesia's six constituencies for the Assembly of French Polynesia.
The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupua'i.