Tubuai
Tubuai, Tubuaʻi or Tupuaʻi (French: Tubuai [tubwaj]) is the main island of the Austral Island group, located 640 km (400 mi) south of Tahiti. In addition to Tubuai, the group of islands include Rimatara, Rurutu, Raivavae, Rapa and the uninhabited Îles Maria. They are part of the Austral Islands in the far southwest of French Polynesia in the south Pacific Ocean. Tubuai island sustains a population of 2,217 people on 45 km2 of land. Due to its southerly position, Tubuai has notably cooler weather than Tahiti.
Tubuai | |
|---|---|
NASA picture of Tubuai | |
|
Flag | |
Location of Tubuai | |
| Coordinates: 23°22′12″S 149°28′48″W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Subdivision | Austral Islands |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Fernand Tahiata |
| Area 1 | 45.0 km2 (17.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2017) | 2,217 |
| • Density | 49/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−10:00 |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98753 /98754 |
| Elevation | 0–422 m (0–1,385 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
The island is ringed by a lagoon formed by an encircling coral reef. A break in the reef that enables passage for ships is located on the north side of the island. Tubuai has two lava domes, with its highest point, Mt Taita'a, being 422 meters. Six or seven islets or motus lie along the reef rim that encircles the island. These were described in the late 1700s as having an abundance of toa trees (Casuarina equisetifolia), which the indigenous peoples used in house building and to make war clubs and spears due to the wood's density.
The people of Tubuai once spoke the Austral language but it has been replaced by the closely related Tahitian language.