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The 118 islands of French Polynesia
are specks in the vast South Pacific Ocean. They are divided into five
groups: the Society Islands (which include Tahiti), the Tuamotus,
the Marquesas, the Australs and the Gambiers. Only
six of the islands are larger than 100 sq km, and the northernmost island,
Hatutu, is more than 2000km from the southernmost island, Rapa. The
nearest continental land masses are Australia, 5200km to the west, and
South America, 6000km to the east. The territory's nearest Pacific
neighbour is the Cook Islands, to the west. The islands are a mixture
of volcanic high islands and coral atolls. The high islands have rich,
fertile soil and support a much wider diversity of vegetation than the
atolls. Magnificent Tahitian tiare flowers grow abundantly on the
high islands and these are woven into leis (flowers necklaces) or
worn in the hair. Many introduced flora species exist in the region,
including hibiscus and bougainvillea. Most of the land-based creatures
were introduced and include wild pigs and fowl, semi-domesticated goats in
the Marquesas, and sheep on Tahiti, the Australs and the Marquesas. Small
geckos abound and there are large centipedes that have a decent sting.
French Polynesia has around 100 species of birds, including terns,
petrels, noddies and frigatebirds. The abundance and diversity of marine
life is immediately obvious when you poke you head underwater.
French Polynesia's tropical climate has two
distinct seasons. The wet season, between November and April, has average
temperatures around 27°-30°C with high humidity, ample rain (75% of the
annual rainfall) and brief, violent storms. The dry season, between May
and October, has little rain, drier air and slightly cooler temperatures.
There are prevailing winds which can blow with a force of 40 to 60km/h.
The maraamu is a south-easterly that is common in the dry season,
and the toerau is a north-north-easterly that blows occasionally in
the wet season.
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