Tubuai
Tubuai is the name of an atoll and its main island in the South Pacific, 640 km south of Tahiti. With 2,050 inhabitants (2007 ) to 45 km ² it is the main island belonging to French Polynesia Austral Islands, which are therefore often referred to as " Tubuai Islands ". Capital is Mataura.
History
The island was discovered on 8 or August 9, 1777 by James Cook for Europe, but saw no reason to land and get involved with the martial -looking locals. He named the island after George III.
From June to September 1789 attempted Fletcher Christian and his comrades of the Bounty to settle on Tubuai and founded on the north east coast of Fort George.
After continuous disputes among themselves and armed clashes with the locals, partly because Mrs. robbery, the rebels abandoned the settlement attempt. 66 people, including six women, were killed. The Europeans themselves had only two wounded - had to complain - one by an enemy spear and Christian with a cut by his own bayonet.
The Bounty returned to Tahiti back to where 16 remained, soon were subsequently arrested and taken to England, while nine mutineers, two residents Tubuais, four Tahitians and twelve Tahitian women secretly drove on the same night, and ultimately settled Pitcairn.
The reconstruction of Fort George can be visited as a tourist attraction.
Geography
In addition to the vast majority, mountainous island in the center of the atoll located in the early stages of its development has six other islands on the eastern Riffkranz, listed below clockwise from northeast to southeast:
The highest elevation is 422 m east of Mont Taitaa from the center of the main island. In the southeast of Hanareho, which reaches 325 meters above sea level is. In between lies flatter land, so the island from the north and south appears from a distance as two islands.
The capital and administrative center of the Austral Islands is the village of Mataura on the north coast.
In 2007, the population was spread out with you 2050 part three municipalities ( communes associées ). :