Austral Islands

The Tuha'a Pae, or Austral Islands, are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, they consist of two separate archipelagos, namely in the northwest the Tupua'i islands consisting of the Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rūrutu, Tupua'i Island proper and Ra'ivāvae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands composed of the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri . Inhabitants of the islands are known for their pandanus fiber weaving skills. The islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines. Austral Islands' population is about 6,300 on almost 150km2. The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupua'i.GeographyThe Tuha'a Pae or Austral Islands are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, the Austral Islands consist of two separate archipelagos. From northwest to southeast they are: The Tupua'i Islands, named for one of the main islands. It consists of: Îles Maria in the northwest, part of Rimatara municipality Rimatara, Rūrutu, Tupua'i, Ra'ivāvae, the main island of Rapa Iti, the small Marotiri island in the southeast, part of Rapa municipalityThe islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines.