Island of French Polynesia

Components of the French Polynesia: five archipelagos

French Polynesia with a population of nearly 280,000 inhabitants is made up of 118 islands grouped into five archipelagos in the South Pacific Ocean.


1 .- The archipelago consists of the Society Islands and the Windward Islands in the wind, the islands surrounded by lagoons;
 
2 .- The Tuamotu archipelago consists of islands called atolls;

3 .- The Austral archipelago consists of islands, relatively wild;

4 .- The Marquesas archipelago of islands without lagoons high and rugged mountains;
 
5 .- The Gambier archipelago islands characterized by high

First group: The archipelago of the Society

The Windward Islands:

Tahiti, with its climax at Mount Orohena 2 242 m, houses the city of Papeete, commercial and administrative center of French Polynesia. It is the island's most populous country. Opposite, Moorea is renowned for its charm and the taste of pineapple. Many luxury hotels and charming guesthouses to accommodate tourists in search of scenery. The beauty of its sites, white sandy beaches and sea make it a destination.

The Windward Islands:

In Polynesian mythology, they are regarded as the original countries where the mythical homeland (Havai'i corresponding to Raiatea) and which carried the gods and traditions. Bora
-Bora is a political center and it is Maupiti that vestiges of the past have better withstood the damage of time and men.

Second group: Tuamotu Archipelago

Navigation in the Tuamotu region remains dangerous because of the presence of many atolls. The lagoon is fed by ocean water by a few passes and deep craters provide cold water and clear. On the parties against surface by the lack or absence of freshwater flora is rather poor land, and the atolls are inhabited crustaceans while serving as refuges for birds.

Third group: The archipelago of the Austral

Known for their environment, the Austral Islands enjoy a cool climate and, above all, land of tradition crafts (weaving pandanus, coconut fiber or reed clothing including hats). Visitors are sensitive superb polyphonic melodies, the "himene tuha pae", performed with passion by the people. These songs seem to respond to those of the majestic humpback whales that come each year to reproduce in these waters hospital.

Group four: The archipelago of the Marquesas

This archipelago is composed of dozens of islands, half of which is currently inhabited. The land near the atolls are Puka Puka and Napuka. In these islands, the volcanoes are slightly eroded and have a rather steep mountain, through narrow valleys, beaches little long to deep water. The Marquesas have no coral reef, but it contains archaeological sites reflecting colonization and ancient Polynesian cultures. The tiki, carved stones and marae, sacred religious sites composed of stones and aligned or arranged in pyramids, are present in all the islands. The revival of traditional arts is not only in developing the art
of tattooing, but initially with aesthetic and symbolic value but also in social dance and songs, or himene tarava Ruau, truly expressing the substance of the soul of the Polynesian people.

Fifth group: Gambier Archipelago

With a mild climate and diverse vegetation, the islands' high 'of territory provides a rugged landscape. Peaks rising sometimes above 2000 meters. The coasts of these islands are cut and bays safe harbor ports.

Society Islands

Tahiti: the most famous islands, it is the gateway to French Polynesia. The capital Papeete is full of life and very different from what you can find out.
Moorea
Maiao
Mehetia
Tetiaroa Atoll

Îles Sous-le-Vent

Bora Bora: They say it is the pearl of Polynesia. Although each region has great charm, Bora Bora remains the most popular (and thus more expensive!)
Huahine
Maupiti
Raiatea
Tahaa

Atolls


Manuae
Maupihaa
Motu One
Tupai
Mopelia
Scilly
Bellinghausen

The Tuamotus

Rangiroa
Avatoru
Tiputa
Lagoon Green
Blue Lagoon
Sables Roses
Islands with reefs
Otepipi

The Tuamotus North
Makatea
Tikehau
Mataiva
Manihi
Ahe
Takaroa
Takapoto
Arutua
Kaukura
Fakarava
Anaa

The Tuamotus South and East
Nukutavake
Hao
Moruroa

Marquesas Islands

Nuku Hiva
Ua Huka
Ua Pou
Hiva Oa
Tahuara
Fatu Hiva
Uninhabited islands

Island of French Polynesia

Travel to French Polynesia