Society Islands

islands in the south Pacific, administratively part of French Polynesia.

They consist of the "Windward Islands" and the "Leeward Islands". The "Windward Islands" include the islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Tetiaroa. The "Leeward Islands", 200 km from Tahiti, include Huahine, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Tahaa and Maupiti.

The islands became a French protectorate in 1843 and a colony in 1880. They have a population of 214,445 inhabitants (as of 2002 census). They cover an area of 1,598 km² (617 sq. miles).