The Pacific Islands - Polynesia

As I've mentioned in previous entries, the South Pacific Islands are divided into three major categories. So far, we've discussed the first two (Melanesia and Micronesia) and today I'll move forward to the third, Polynesia. When we refer to Polynesia we actually refer to several islands and island groups which are as follows:

- The Hawaiian Islands,
- New Zealand,
- Easter Island,
- Rotuma,
- Samoa,
- The French Polynesia,
- The Cook Islands,
- Tonga and
- Tuvalu.

Starting with the Hawaiian Islands, they are an archipelago of seven major islands, several smaller islands and noumerous atolls. In the past, this archipelago was widely known as the "Sandwich Islands", but now it takes its name from the largest island in the group. The Hawaiian Islands are subject to earthquakes, volcanic erruptions and tsunamis (large waves that stike the shore, usually a result of earthquakes). The area is the home of a wide number of endemic species, while originally the area didn't have any mammals, which arrived with the first human settlers. As of 2009, most of the area's endemic species are considered endangered.

Lake Wanaka - New Zealand.


Moving on to New Zealand, it is an island country South-East of Australia. The highest mountain of the island is Mount Cook (3,754 meters). Because of its long isolation from the rest of the world, New Zealand hosts extraordinary species and plant life. The flightless moas originally inhabited the island, but are now extinct, while four species of kiwi, the kakapo parrot and the takahē are all endangered species due to human activity in the island's forests. There are no snakes on the island and there is only one species of venomous spider, the katipo, which is only found in coastal regions. The only non-marine mammals on the island are three species of bat. However, in 2006 scientists discovered bones aging approximately 15 million years ago, of a unique mouse-sized mammal that inhabited New Zealand.

Panorama of Anakena, Easter Island.


The Easter Island is actually the summit of a large volcano rising over 2,000 meters from the sea bed. The island has a rich history and great fame due to its massive statues, the moai, which are believed to represent ancestors of the original inhabitants of the island. Easter Island has sufferred major deforestation, which is believed to have occurred either due to its early inhabitants or due to major climate changes.


Ahu Tongariki on Easter Island. These moai were restored in the 1990's by a Japanese research team after a cyclone knocked them over in the 1960's.


Rotuma is a volcanic island of approximately 43 sq. kilometers. Like many other South Pacific islands, Rotuma sufferred depopulation due to diseases introduced on the island from European settlers. However, since the 1920's the island has experienced explosive population growth. As a result, while in 1921 the island had 2,112 inhabitants, there were 9,727 inhabitants in 1996.

Moving on to Samoa, it is an island with 176,848 inhabitants in total, as of 2002 and covers a total area of 2,935 square kilometers. Its capital is Apia and the two official languages of the area are Samoan and English. The highest point of Samoa is Mount Silisili (1,858 meters). The entire central north coast of the island (a total area of 50 square kilometers) is covered by solidified lava, which was a result of the erruptions of Mount Matavanu. What is very important to discuss is the Samoan tradition in tattoos. They have two different types of tattoos, one for each gender. The tattoos on males are called the Pe'a and those for females are called the Malu.


The Pe'a: A traditional type of tatto given to males in Samoa.



The Malu: A traditional tattoo given to females in Samoa.


The French Polynesia covers an arean of 3,660 square kilometers and has a total population of 270,485 individuals, as of 2005 and comprises of 130 islands in total, which are divided into six major groups:

- Austral Islands
- Bass Islands

- Gambier Islands
- Marquesas Islands
- Society Islands (including Tahiti - the largest and most populated group)
- Tuamotu Archipelago

Mount Otemanu in Bora Bora, French Polynesia.


The Cook Islands cover a total area of 240 square kilometers and have a total population of 18,027 individuals as of 2001. These islands suffer infestation of Polynesian rats, which have devastated the bird population of the islands. The traditional flower that grows on the Cook Islands is the Tiare māori. Wearing this flower as jewelery is distinctive for marital status. If it's worn on the left ear it means that this person is married, while on the right ear it means that the individual is eligible for marriage; something like our common wedding or engagement ring.

Moving on to Tonga, it covers an area of 649 square kilometers and has a total population of 101,700 individuals as of 2003. It has a tropical climate with only two seasons, summer and winter. Most rain falls around February through April and the Cyclone season lasts from November through March.

Last but not least, Tuvalu covers a total area of only 26 square kilometers and has a total population of 10,200 individuals. Their two official languages are Tuvaluan and English, while they use the Australian dollar as their official currency. The island consists of four reef islands and two atolls. The highest elevation is 4.5 meters above sea level, which gives Tuvalu the second lowest maximum elevation (the first held by the Maldives). Because of this low highest elevation, these islands are threatened by a possible sea rise. The island is famous for its traditional pulaka, which is a crop grown on Tuvalu, very similar to the taro root, which is the main source of carbohydrates for the island's population.



Sources:

Wikipedia Online Encyclopedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/
The Pacific Islands Applied Geoscience Commission - http://www.sopac.org/
Rotuma Website - http://www.rotuma.net/
Polynesian Cultural Center - http://www.polynesia.com/
New Zealand On the Web - http://www.wanaka.nz.com/