*** Welcome to piglix ***

Marquesas Islands

Marquesas Islands
Native name: Îles Marquises / Te Fenua ‘Enata / Te Henua Kenana
Flag of Marquesas Islands.svg
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Archipelago Polynesia
Total islands 15
Major islands Nuku Hiva, Ua Pu, Ua Huka, Hiva Oa, Fatu Hiva
Area 1,049.3 km2 (405.1 sq mi)
Highest elevation 1,230 m (4,040 ft)
Highest point Mount Oave (Ua Pu)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Demographics
Population 9,264 (Aug. 2012 census)
Pop. density 9 /km2 (23 /sq mi)
Additional information
Time zone

Coordinates: 9°27′16″S 139°23′20″W / 9.45444°S 139.38889°W / -9.45444; -139.38889

The Marquesas Islands (/mɑːrˈksəs/; French: Îles Marquises or Archipel des Marquises or Marquises; Marquesan: Te Henua (K)enana (North Marquesan) and Te Fenua `Enata (South Marquesan), both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W. The highest point is the peak of Mount Oave (French: Mont Oave) on Ua Pu island at 1,230 m (4,035 ft) above sea level.

Based on 2010 studies, new research suggests that the islands were colonized rapidly in two waves by indigenous colonists from West Polynesia, beginning ~1025-1120AD, leading to development of a "remarkably uniform culture, human biology and language."


...
Wikipedia

...