French Polynesia Holiday Accommodation
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French Polynesia is a French "overseas collectivity" with the particular designation of "overseas country" 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 is administered from French Polynesia. | |
| 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 |
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| Tahiti is some 45 km long at the widest point and covers 1,048 km², with the highest elevation being at 2,241 m above sea level (Mount Orohena). The island consists of two roughly round portions centered on volcanic mountains, connected by a short isthmus named after the small town of Taravao, which sits there. The northwestern part is known as Tahiti Nui ("big Tahiti"), and the southeastern part, much smaller, is known as Tahiti Iti ("small Tahiti") or Taiarapu. Whereas Tahiti Nui is quite heavily populated (especially around Papeete), Tahiti Iti has remained quite isolated, its southeastern half (Te Pari) being accessible only by boat or hiking. |  |
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| Climate:
Tropical, but moderate. Natural hazards : occasional cyclonic storms in January. Very humid. Terrain: Mixture of rugged high islands and low islands with reefs. |
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