Raiatea
Raiatea or Ra'iatea (Tahitian: Ra‘iātea) is the second largest of the Society Islands, after Tahiti, in French Polynesia, in the South Pacific Ocean. The island is widely regarded as the "centre" of the eastern islands in ancient Polynesia and it is likely that the organised migrations to the Hawaiian Islands, New Zealand and other parts of East Polynesia started at Raiatea.
Native name: Raꞌiātea | |
|---|---|
| Geography | |
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 16°49′S 151°27′W |
| Archipelago | Society Islands |
| Major islands | Raiatea |
| Area | 167.7 km2 (64.7 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1,017 m (3337 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Tefatua |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Capital and largest city | Uturoa (pop. 3,778) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 12,545 |
| Pop. density | 72/km2 (186/sq mi) |
A traditional name for the island is Havai'i, homeland of the Māori people. Situated on the southeast coast is the historical Taputapuatea marae, which was established by 1000 CE. The site was the political and religious center of eastern Polynesia for several centuries, and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017 for its historical significance.
The main township on Raiatea is Uturoa, the administrative centre for the Leeward Islands (French Îles Sous-le-vent). There are also colleges which serve as the main educational location for secondary schools for students from the regional islands of Bora Bora, Tahaa, Huahine and Maupiti.