The Windward Islands

The Windward Islands are the eastern group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The archipelago comprises an administrative division (French: subdivision administrative) of French Polynesia, and includes Tahiti, Moorea, Mehetia, Tetiaroa, and Maiao. 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.

The majority of the population speaks French and Tahitian (co-official with French throughout French Polynesia).

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).

Administrative divisions

French Polynesia has five administrative subdivisions (French: subdivisions administratives):

• Windward Islands (French: (les) Îles du Vent or officially la subdivision administrative des Îles du Vent) (the two subdivisions administratives Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands)
• Leeward Islands (French: (les) Îles Sous-le-Vent or officially la subdivision administrative des Îles Sous-le-Vent) (the two subdivisions administratives Windward Islands and Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands)
• Marquesas Islands (French: (les) (Îles) Marquises or officially la subdivision administrative des (Îles) Marquises)
• Austral Islands (French: (les) (Îles) Australes or officially la subdivision administrative des (Îles) Australes) (including the Bass Islands)
• Tuamotu-Gambier (French: (les) (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier or officially la subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier) (the Tuamotus and the Gambier Islands)

Economy

The GDP of French Polynesia in 2004 was 5.3 billion US dollars at market exchange rates, the fifth-largest economy in Oceania after Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and New Caledonia.[2] The GDP per capita was 21,250 US dollars in 2004 (at market exchange rates, not at PPP), lower than in Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, but higher than in all the independent insular states of Oceania.[2]

French Polynesia has a moderately developed economy, which is dependent on imported goods, tourism, and the financial assistance of mainland France. Tourist facilities are well developed and are available on the major islands. Also, as the noni fruit from these islands is discovered for its medicinal uses, people have been able to find jobs related to this agricultural industry.

The legal tender of French Polynesia is the CFP Franc.

Agriculture: coconuts, vanilla, vegetables, fruits.

Natural resources: timber, fish, cobalt.

In 2007 French Polynesia’s imports amounted to 1.9 billion US dollars and exports amounted to 197 million US dollars.[14] The major export of French Polynesia is their famous black Tahitian pearls which accounted for 64% of exports (in value) in 2007

Geography

The islands of French Polynesia have a total land area of 4,167 square kilometres (1,622 sq. mi) scattered over 2,500,000 square kilometres (965,255 sq. mi) of ocean.

It is made up of several groups of islands, the largest and most populated of which is Tahiti.

The island groups are:

• Austral Islands
• Bass Islands often considered part of the Austral Islands
• Gambier Islands often considered part of the Tuamotu Archipelago
• Marquesas Islands
• Society Islands (including Tahiti)
• Tuamotu Archipelago

Aside from Tahiti, some other important atolls, islands, and island groups in French Polynesia are: Ahe, Bora Bora, Hiva `Oa, Huahine, Maiao, Maupiti, Mehetia, Moorea, Nuku Hiva, Raiatea, Tahaa, Tetiaroa, Tubuai, and Tupai.

Administration

Between 1946 and 2003, French Polynesia had the status of an overseas territory (French: territoire d’outre-mer, or TOM). In 2003 it became an overseas collectivity (French: collectivité d’outre-mer, or COM). Its statutory law of 27 February 2004 gives it the particular designation of overseas province (French: province d’outre-mer, or POM), but without legal modification of its status.

When to Go

French Polynesia is an outdoor destination, so the timing of your trip will probably be influenced by the weather. The dry winter period from May to October is the best time to go; the weather is cooler and there is much less rainfall during this time. Temperatures rise during the November to April summer wet season when it’s humid, cloudy and very rainy. Three-quarters of the annual rainfall occurs during this period, generally in the form of brief, violent storms, although torrential rains lasting several days are not uncommon.

French Polynesia is south of the equator, but school holidays still fall in line with those of the northern hemisphere. This means that the peak season is July and August, and during this period it’s no mean feat getting flights and accommodation. Christmas to early January, late February and early March, the Easter period, early May and early October are also quite busy times (which almost covers the entire year!). The peak July-August season coincides with the Heiva festival, held throughout July, when the region comes to life. Unfortunately this is no secret, so plan ahead if it interests you.

Diving is popular year-round, and each season brings its share of discoveries. Surfing is also a year-round activity, but if you are sailing, it’s best if you avoid the November to March tropical depressions – they can be depressing! Walking is best in the dry season, as some of the trails are simply impassable when it’s wet.

Papeete

Papeete (“water from a basket”,^[1] see footnote for variant spelling) (pronounced [papeʔete]) is the capital of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune (municipality) of Papeete is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, of which Papeete is the administrative capital. The French High Commissioner also resides in Papeete.^[2] It is the primary center of Tahitian and French Polynesian public and private governmental, commercial, industrial and financial services, the hub of French Polynesian tourism and a commonly used Port of call.^[3] The Windward Islands are themselves part of the Society Islands.

The urban area of Papeete had a total population of 131,695 inhabitants at the August 2007 census, 26,017 of whom lived in the commune of Papeete proper

French Polynesia

French Polynesia (French: Polynésie française, Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is a French overseas collectivity in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory (Papeete). Although not an integral part of its territory, Clipperton Island was administered from French Polynesia until 2007.