The Windward Islands (French: Îles du Vent) are the eastern group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. These islands were also previously named the Georgian Islands in honour of King George III of the United Kingdom.

History

Polynesians settled on the Windward Islands sometime from 800 to 1000 AD. In 1880, France annexed the Windward Islands, being a part of Établissements français de l'Océanie [fr].

Geography

The archipelago comprises an administrative division (French: subdivision administrative) of French Polynesia, and includes the following islands:

• Tahiti
• Moorea
• Mehetia
• Tetiaroa
• Maiao

The capital of the administrative district is Papeete on the island of Tahiti. Tahiti, Moorea, and Mehetia are volcanic islands. Tetiaroa and Maiao are coral atolls.

Culture

French and Tahitian are co-official languages throughout French Polynesia.

Administrative

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. The administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands geographically co-extensive with the electoral district of the Windward Islands (circonscription des Îles du Vent), one of French Polynesia's 6 electoral districts (circonscriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia (see also Politics of French Polynesia).

See also

• Leeward Islands (Society Islands)