II.

Land and Resources

French Polynesia is divided into five archipelagos: the Society Islands, composed of the Windward Islands and the Leeward Islands; the Tuamotu Archipelago; the Gambier Islands; the Tubuai Islands; and the Marquesas Islands. Clipperton Island, an uninhabited atoll south of the coast of Mexico, is also part of the territory. The Tuamotu Archipelago consists entirely of coral atolls and accounts for more than half of the territory’s islands. Mount Orohena on Tahiti is the highest peak in French Polynesia, with an elevation of 2,241 m (7,352 ft). The high volcanic islands have rich soils and support a variety of plant species. Coconut palms thrive throughout the territory. Wildlife on the islands is limited to birds, insects, and lizards; some residents maintain livestock, including pigs and chickens. Marine life is abundant in the surrounding waters and provides an important food source.

French Polynesia has a tropical but moderate climate, with an average temperature of 27º C (81º F). There are two distinct seasons: a warm rainy season from November to April and a cool dry season from May to October. The amount of rainfall varies greatly throughout the territory. The Marquesas Islands are the driest, and the Tubuai Islands are the wettest. Cyclones occur throughout the territory but with less frequency than elsewhere in the South Pacific.