Pacific Islands Political Geography

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names Further reading

Society Islands

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Society Islands island group (2002 pop. 214,445), South Pacific, a part of French Polynesia . The group comprises the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands (total land area c.650 sq mi/1,680 sq km), two clusters of volcanic and coral islands lying in a 450-mi (724-km) chain. Only eight of the islands are inhabited. The Windward Islands include Tahiti , Moorea , Mehetia, and Tetiaroa; the Leeward Islands include Rai'atea (largest island of the Leeward group), Huahine, Bora-Bora , Maupiti, Tahaa, Maiao, Maupihaa, Tupai, Manuae, and Motu One. The islands are mountainous, and there are breadfruit, pandanus, and coconut trees; the limited fauna includes wild pigs, rats, and small lizards. The major products are copra, sugar, rum, mother-of-pearl, and vanilla. Tourism is extremely important to the economy.

The Society Islands were visited in 1767 by the English navigator Samuel Wallis, who claimed them for Great Britain. A year later, however, the French navigator Louis Antoine de Bougainville established a French claim. They were named the Society Islands in 1769 by Capt. James Cook . The group became a protectorate of France in 1843 and a colony in 1880. In 1946, French Polynesia, including the Society Islands, became an overseas territory of France.

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Society Islands

Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names | 2005 | | Copyright

Society Islands (Îles de la Société) A group of islands in French Polynesia claimed for Great Britain by Captain Samuel Wallis in 1767 and named two years later after a visit by Captain James Cook^†. He named them after his expedition's sponsor, Great Britain's Royal Society. It has also been suggested that the name was appropriate because the islands were closely grouped. They became a French protectorate in 1842 and a colony in 1881.

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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Society Islands." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Society Islands." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-SocietyIslands.html

JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Society Islands." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-SocietyIslands.html

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