French Polynesia geography Introduction

Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 58. Chapters: Raiatea, Manihi, Society Islands, Nukutavake, Raroia, Moorea Airport, Rapa Iti, Ua Pu, Windward Islands, Apataki, Mangareva, Puka-Puka, Huahine, Fakarava, Îles Tuamotu-Gambier, Faaa, Tematangi, Ahe, Temoe, Makemo, Îles Maria, Napuka, Eiao, Rimatara, Tahuata, Tahaa, Tepoto, Hikueru, Rurutu, Motu One, Fa'ahia, Marokau, Marutea Sud, Hereheretue, Nukutepipi, Mehetia, Aratika, Disappointment Islands, Marutea Nord, Hiva Oa, Maupiti, Pukarua, Raraka, Taiaro, Rangiroa Airport, Fangatau, Katiu, Morane, Mohotani, Faaite, Moorea-Maiao, Niau, Tubuai, Rekareka, Ahunui, Kauehi, Anuanuraro, Marotiri, Nuku-Hiva, Tuanake, Pinaki, Akiaki, Takume, Fakahina, Tikehau Airport, Papeari, Hiti, Tauere, Anuanurunga, Vahitahi, Vairaatea, Tahanea, Taenga, Nihiru, Taputapuatea, Taiarapu-Est, Arue, French Polynesia, Hiva-Oa, Hatutu, Nengonengo, Duke of Gloucester Islands, Matureivavao, Vanavana, Ravahere, Paraoa, Punaauia, Maria Est, Tai Pi, Palliser Islands, Ta'a Oa, Uturoa, Raroia Airport, Tekokota, Toau, Motutunga, Taiarapu-Ouest, Vahanga, Atuona, Bass Islands, Hitiaa O Te Ra, Raivavae, Haraiki, Atuona Airport, Tupai, Tumaraa, Teva I Uta, Fatu Huku, Marquesan Nature Reserves, Mahina, French Polynesia, Hao Airport, Taiohae, Pirae, Paea, Anaa Airport, Papara, Totegegie Airport, Manihi Airport, Tiputa Pass, Avatoru, Motu Iti, Vaitahu, Mont Orohena, Tenarunga, Terihi, Atuona Bay, Raiatea Airport, Tenararo, Ahe Airport, Eiao Island Nature Reserve, Taravai, Omo'a, Portland Reef, Motane Nature Reserve, Calvary Cemetery, Atuona, Hatutu Nature Reserve, Huahine - Fare Airport, Hana Vave, Motu Nao, Akamaru Island, Afaahiti, Opunohu Bay, Temetiu, Taha Uku, Aukena, Ha'ava, Ahurei, Vaituha, Marquesas hotspot, Motu One Reserve, Tovi'i, Tekao, Puka-Puka Airport, Arutua Airport, Papenoo River, Rurutu Airport, Nuku Hiva Airport, Apataki Airport, Ua Huka Airport, Tautira, Fakarava Airport, Hanakee, Ua Pou Airport, Maupiti Airport, Teruamao, Vairao, Kaukura Airport, Takapoto Airport, Takaroa Airport, Mount Tohivea, Mataiva Airport, Makemo Airport, Motu Oa, Afatauri, Napuka Airport, Rimatara Airport, Rikitea, Motu Paahi, Vaitape. Excerpt: Raiatea (or Ra'iatea), is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia. The island is widely regarded as the 'center' of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia and it is likely that the organised migrations to Hawaii, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and other parts of East Polynesia started at Ra'iatea. A traditional name for the island is believed to be Havai'i. Situated on the south east coast is the historical Taputapuatea marae which was established by 1000AD. The main township on Raiatea is Uturoa, the administrative center for the Leeward Islands (French Îles Sous-le-vent). The island has an airport, Ra'iatea Airport, a commercial port, two marinas and a hospital. There are also colleges which serve as the main educational location for secondary schools for students from the regional islands of Bora Bora, Tahaa, Huahine and Maupiti. Taputapuatea marae, an ancient marae mentioned in the traditions of Polynesian peoples, including, for example, the Maori of New Zealand, who regard this place as a sacred marae of their ancestors. This is where the Hawaiian voyaging canoe Hokule'a landed on her first voyage in 1976.The proper spelling of the name, rarely used though, in the Tahitian language is Ra'iatea, meaning bright sky; Ulieta is an obsolete transcription commonl...