Huahine

Huahine is an atoll in the Pacific Ocean and is one of the Society Islands, one of the five archipelagos of French Polynesia. Within the archipelago, it represents the easternmost atoll in the group of the Windward Islands (French Îles- sous -le- Vent) dar.

Geography

Huahine is located about 175 kilometers northwest of Tahiti, the largest island of French Polynesia, and about 50 km east of Raiatea. In addition to some lying on the fringing reef Motus is the atoll of two central volcanic islands, which are only separated by a very narrow and shallow channel: The larger Huahine Nui and Huahine Iti the smaller. The total land area of the islands is approximately 74 km ². Huahine Iti reaches a height of 460 m above the sea, Huhine Nui in Mont Turi a height of 669 meters.

History

The French colonial power subjugated the Leeward Islands, including Tahiti during the 1880s, the Leeward Islands until the 1890s. The hitherto independent kingdom of Huahine and Maia'o was annexed in 1895 and incorporated into the existing since 1898 Établissements français de l' Océanie, today's French Polynesia.

Population

Huahine has 5,999 inhabitants (as of August 2007) and forms within the Society Islands a separate municipality (French commune). Capital of the municipality and the largest city of the islands is Fare on the north coast of Huahine Nui. This is the airport Huahine Fare.

Economy

The residents of the island grow crops and fishing. Among the agricultural products include vanilla, various melons and copra.

Tourism by the passengers of the investing in the atoll cruise ships and the airport is a further important economic sector.