Raivavae (
Tahitian: ''Ra‘ivāvae''
/ra.ʔi.va:va.e/) is one of the
Austral Islands
The Austral Islands (french: Îles Australes, officially ''Archipel des Australes;'' ty, Tuha'a Pae) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of the French Republic in the South Pacific. Geographically, ...
in
French Polynesia
)Territorial motto: ( en, "Great Tahiti of the Golden Haze")
, anthem =
, song_type = Regional anthem
, song = " Ia Ora 'O Tahiti Nui"
, image_map = French Polynesia on the globe (French Polynesia centered).svg
, map_alt = Location of Frenc ...
. Its total land area including offshore islets is .
[Environnement marin des îles Australes](_blank)
/ref> At the 2017 census, it had a population of 903.[Répartition de la population en Polynésie française en 2017](_blank)
Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française The island is of volcanic origin, and rises to elevation at Mont Hiro.
History
The first sighting by Europeans was recorded by the Spanish naval officer Tomás Gayangos on board of the frigate
A frigate () is a type of warship. In different eras, the roles and capabilities of ships classified as frigates have varied somewhat.
The name frigate in the 17th to early 18th centuries was given to any full-rigged ship built for speed and ...
''El Aguila'' on 5 February 1775. Gayangos had taken over the command of the expedition of Domingo de Bonechea
Domingo Bernardo de Bonechea Andonaegui ( eu, Domingo Bonetxea Andonaegi), born on September 21, 1713, in Getaria, Basque Country, Spain, died in Tahiti on January 26, 1775, was a captain in the Spanish Royal Navy and an explorer for the Spanis ...
of 1774 after his death in Tahiti
Tahiti (; Tahitian ; ; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Austr ...
and was returning to the Viceroyalty of Peru.[Corney, Bolton Granvill ''The quest and occupation of Tahiti by emissaries of Spain during the years 1772-1776'', London, 1913, Vol I, p.XLVII]
It was annexed by France
France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...
in 1880.
Administration
The islands of Raivavae are administratively within the commune with the same name. Raivavae consists of the following associated communes:[Décret n°72-407 du 17 mai 1972 portant création de communes dans le territoire de la Polynésie française](_blank)
Légifrance Légifrance is the official website of the French government for the publication of legislation, regulations, and legal information. Access to the site is free.
Virtually complete, it presents or refers to all concerned institutions or administrati ...
* Anatonu
Anatonu is an associated commune on the island of Raivavae
Raivavae ( Tahitian: ''Ra‘ivāvae'' /ra.ʔi.va:va.e/) is one of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia. Its total land area including offshore islets is . At the 2017 census, it had ...
* Rairua-Mahanatoa
Rairua-Mahanatoa is an associated commune on the island of Raivavae
Raivavae ( Tahitian: ''Ra‘ivāvae'' /ra.ʔi.va:va.e/) is one of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia. Its total land area including offshore islets is . At the 2017 census ...
* Vaiuru
Vaiuru is an associated commune on the island of Raivavae
Raivavae ( Tahitian: ''Ra‘ivāvae'' /ra.ʔi.va:va.e/) is one of the Austral Islands in French Polynesia. Its total land area including offshore islets is . At the 2017 census, it had a ...
See also
*
References
Islands of the Austral Islands
Communes of French Polynesia
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