Leeward Islands (Society Islands)
1602662
225245389
2008-07-12T17:46:09Z
213.140.11.137
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{{otheruses|Leeward Islands (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox Islands
| name = Leeward Islands
| image name = Bora-Bora.png
| image caption = [[Bora Bora]]
| image size =
| locator map = Karta FP Societe isl.PNG
| native name = Îles Sous-le-vent
| native name link = French language
| nickname =
| location = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| coordinates = {{coor title dm|17|32|S|149|50|W|type:isle}}
| archipelago = [[Society Islands]]
| total islands =
| major islands = [[Raiatea]], [[Bora Bora]], [[Huahine]], [[Tahaa]]
| area = 395 km²
| highest mount = [[Mount Otemanu]]
| elevation = 727 m
| country = France
| country admin divisions title = [[Overseas collectivity]]
| country admin divisions = [[French Polynesia]]
| country capital city =
| country largest city = [[Uturoa]]
| country largest city population = 8,735 urban
| country leader title =
| country leader name =
| population = 33,184<ref name=census>{{fr icon}} {{cite web| url=http://www.ispf.pf/(k1aciwf4z0fyap45ghzhgm55)/stat/demo/rp2007/pdfs/poplegales2007.pdf| title=Recensement de la population 2007| author=Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF)|format=PDF|accessdate=2007-12-02}}</ref>
| population as of = Aug. 2007 census
| density = 84
| ethnic groups =
| additional info =
}}
The '''Leeward Islands''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Îles Sous-le-vent''; [[Tahitian]]: ''Fenua Raro Mata’i'', literally "Islands Under-the-Wind") are part of the [[Society Islands]] in [[French Polynesia]], an [[overseas collectivity]] of [[France]] in the [[Oceania|South Pacific]]. The [[archipelago]] comprises an [[Administrative divisions of French Polynesia|administrative division]] ([[French language|French]]: ''subdivision administrative'') of French Polynesia. The capital of the Leeward Islands administrative subdivision is [[Uturoa]].
The first European to encounter the [[archipelago]] was [[James Cook]] on the 12th of April [[1769]] during the British expedition to observe the [[transit of Venus]]. On this first voyage (he subsequently revisited the islands twice) he named the Leeward group of islands Society in honor of the Royal Society. The islands were annexed by France and became a [[colony]] in [[1888]] (eight years after the [[Windward Islands (Society Islands)|Windward Islands]]) after many troubles lasting until 1897.
The islands are mountainous, and are good examples of [[volcanic]] rock. They are formed of [[trachyte]], [[dolerite]] and [[basalt]]. There are raised coral beds high up the mountains, and lava occurs in a variety of forms, even in solid flows. Volcanic activity ceased so long ago that the craters have been almost entirely obliterated by erosion.
Flora includes [[breadfruit]], [[pandanus]], and [[coconut]] palms. The limited terrestrial fauna includes feral [[pig]]s, [[rat]]s, and small [[lizard]]s. There are several species of freshwater [[fish]] inhabiting the small streams on the islands, but the fringing [[coral reef]]s around the islands exhibit a dazzling array of fish and other salt water-dwelling species. The major products are [[copra]], [[sugar]], [[rum]], [[mother-of-pearl]], and [[vanilla]]. [[Tourism]] is extremely important to the economy.
The Leeward Islands (''subdivision administrative des Îles Sous-le-vent'') are one of [[French Polynesia]]'s five [[Administrative divisions of French Polynesia|administrative subdivisions]]. The administrative subdivision is identical with the electoral district of the Leeward Islands, one of [[French Polynesia]]'s 6 electoral districts for the [[Assembly of French Polynesia]] (see also [[Politics of French Polynesia]]).
== The islands include: ==
*[[Raiatea]] (largest island of the group); Tahitian names : Hava'i, Ioretea
*[[Huahine]] which at high tide is divided into two islands, Huahine Nui ("big Huahine") to the north and Huahine Iti ("small Huahine") to the south; Tahitian name : Mata'irea
*[[Tahaa]]; Tahitian name : Uporu
*[[Bora Bora]]; Tahitian name : Vava'u
*[[Tupai]]
*[[Maupiti]]; Tahitian name : Maurua
*[[Manuae (Society Islands)|Manuae]] (aka Scilly Atoll)
*[[Maupihaa]] (aka Mopelia)
*[[Motu One (Society Islands)|Motu One]] (aka Bellinghausen)
==References==
{{reflist}}
*{{1911}}
== External links ==
*[http://www.solarviews.com/cap/earth/tahaa.htm Satellite image]
{{Archipelagos of French Polynesia}}
{{Society Islands}}
[[Category:Society Islands]]
[[Category:Archipelagoes]]
[[ca:Illes de Sotavent (de la Societat)]]
[[et:Tuulealused saared (Okeaania)]]
[[es:Islas de Sotavento (de la Sociedad)]]
[[fr:Îles Sous-le-Vent]]
[[gl:Illas de Sotavento (da Sociedade)]]
[[it:Isole Leeward]]
[[lt:Pavėjinės salos (Polinezija)]]
[[nl:Benedenwindse Eilanden (Frans-Polynesië)]]
[[ja:リーワード諸島 (ソシエテ諸島)]]
[[pl:Wyspy Podwietrzne (Polinezja)]]
[[ty:Raro mata’i mā (Te fenua)]]
[[simple:Leeward Islands (Society Islands)]]
[[fi:Leewardsaaret]]