Leeward Islands (Society Islands)

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Leeward Islands

Native name: Îles Sous-le-vent (French) Fenua Raro Mata’i (Tahitian)
Flag of the Leeward Islands
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°W / -17.533; -149.833
Archipelago	Society Islands
Total islands	9
Major islands	Raiatea, Bora Bora, Huahine, Tahaa
Area	404 km2 (156 sq mi)
Highest elevation	1,017 m (3337 ft)
Highest point	Tefatua
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Largest settlement	Uturoa (pop. 8,735 urban)
Demographics
Population	36,007[1] (Aug. 2022 census)
Pop. density	89/km2 (231/sq mi)

The Leeward Islands (French: Îles Sous-le-vent; Tahitian: Fenua Raro Mata’i, literally "Islands Under-the-Wind") are the western part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France, in the South Pacific Ocean. They lie south of the Line Islands (part of Kiribati), east of the Cooks and north of the Austral Islands (also part of French Polynesia). Their area is 404 km² and their population is over 36,000.

The westernmost Leeward Islands comprise a three atoll group: Manuae (also known as Scilly Atoll); Motu One atoll (also known as Bellinghausen), the most northerly of the Leeward Islands; and Maupihaa atoll (also known as Mopelia) to the southeast.