Native name: Îles Australes (French) / Tuha'a Pae (Tahitian) | |
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  Austral Islands  Austral Islands  Austral Islands | |
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 23°53′S 147°40′W / 23.88°S 147.67°W |
| Archipelago | Polynesia |
| Total islands | 7 |
| Major islands | Tupua'i, Rūrutu, Ra'ivāvae, Rapa Iti |
| Area | 152 km2 (59 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 650 m (2130 ft) |
| Highest point | Mont Perau |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Largest settlement | Rūrutu (pop. 2,466[1]) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 6,965[1] (2017) |
| Pop. density | 43/km2 (111/sq mi) |
| Languages | French language, Tahitian, Rapa, Austral, Polynesian languages |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
The Austral Islands (French: Îles Australes,[2] officially Archipel des Australes; Tahitian: Tuha'a Pae) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of the French Republic in the South Pacific. Geographically, they consist of two separate archipelagos, namely in the northwest the Tupua'i islands (French: Îles Tubuaï) consisting of the Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rūrutu, Tupua'i Island proper and Ra'ivāvae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands (French: Îles basses) composed of the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri (also known as Bass Rocks or Îlots de Bass). Inhabitants of the islands are known for their pandanus fiber weaving skills.[3] 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 6,965 on almost 150 km2 (58 sq mi). The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tupua'i.
- ^ a b "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française (in French). Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 7 June 2019.
- ^ Guillin, Jean (2001). L'archipel des Australes (in Spanish). Le Pontet: A. Barthélemy. ISBN 2-87923-138-8. OCLC 469536927.
- ^ "Australs Resorts". Tahiti Travel Planners. Archived from the original on 30 April 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2014.