Marquesas Islands
The Marquesas Islands are a group of islands in the pacific ocean. They are a part of French Polynesia. The islands are located south of the Equator, about 1.600 km northeast of Tahiti. The total land area is 1274 km². In 2012, 9264 people lived on the Marquesas Islands.
The Marquesas consist of fourteen bigger islands and a number of smaller ones. They are commonly split into two groups: A northern one with the main islands Nuku Hiva, Ua Pou and Ua Huka, and a southern one, made of Hiva Oa, Tahuata and Fatu Hiva.
The islands are of volcanic origin; there are high mountains and deep valleys on many islands. The climate is hot, with an average temperature of 28 degrees centigrade, and a lot of rainfall. Tropical rainforest grows on many islands,
Marquesas Islands Media
- HivaOa BaieDesTraitres 20061110.jpg
Vegetation at the edge of the road from Atuona to Puamau, Hiva Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia. Sight on the "Baie des Traitres" (Traitors Bay) and the Hanakee rock.
Hakaui waterfall, on Nuku Hiva island
- Rainforest Fatu Hiva.jpg
Breadfruit tree on Fatu-Hiva
- Kaimoko Family. Headdress (Peue 'Ei), 19th century..jpg
Kaimoko family. Headdress (Peueʻei), 19th century. Porpoise teeth, beads, coir. This woman's headdress was probably made on the island of Ua Pou, where porpoises abounded. In the Marquesan language, ei means "treasure". From the collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
- Chef de guerre marquisien-Musée d'histoire naturelle et d'ethnographie de Colmar.jpg
Traditional Marquesan warlord's headgear, ceremonial clothes, insignia, and weapon
- Pareu haka.jpg
Marquesans dressed in pareu demonstrating traditional dance, 1909
Village and harbour of Hana Vave, island of Fatu Hiva, Marquesas islands, French Polynesia. We can see clearly on the right cliff a rock which looks like a Moai's head
- Hakahau.jpg
View of Hakahau, Ua Pou, from the sea
- Marquesas-administrative.png
Communes of the Marquesas Islands