SOCIETY ISLANDS (TAHITI), South Pacific Ocean, a French dependency, between the Low Islands and the Friendly Islands. This is the largest group of the Leeward Islands, and consists of the principal island of Tahiti (q.v.) or Otaheite, which is about 32 miles long northwest to southeast, and is divided into two peninsulas by an isthmus about three miles broad; and a great number of comparatively small islands, of which the most deserving of notice are Eimeo or Moorea, Maitea, Tetuaroa, Maiaoiti or Saunders Island, Tahaa or Otaha, Marua or Maupiti, Tubai or Motu-Iti, Hua heine, Raiatea or Ulietea- and Bora-Bora. The islands are of rugged surface and conical form, encircled by coral reefs. Sharp peaks usually rise midway in the islands from a low band lining the shores and blooming with groves and orchards. The wooded mountainous slopes are intersected with valleys watered by rapid streams often falling in steep cascades over the rocks. The locality is of great geologic interest, the volcanic rocks being exceptional. Coral beds are found high up on the mountain sides and many curious lava formations. The high est point is on Tahiti, 7,349 feet. The scenery is idyllic, especially in Eimeo. The coasts con tain safe and commodious harbors, the best in Polynesia. The climate, though extremely hot
and damp, is healthful. Cotton and sugar, sweet potatoes, bread-fruit and taro are grown, and all kinds of tropical fruits — cocoanuts, vanilla and oranges. The exports include these, to gether with trepang, cocoanut fibre and mother of-pearl. The imports are flour, wine, sugar, coffee, soap, timber and livestock, besides manu factured goods. Prior to their contact with Europeans, the people were naive and ingenu ous; thus Captain Cook found them and in terested English missionaries in their welfare, who Were successful in Christianizing them. The islands were discovered by a Spanish navigator in 1606 and were visited by English and French travelers and scientists, and finally ceded their independence to the French, becom ing a colony in 1880. The capital and harbor of the group is Peete, on the island of Tahiti. Its chief buildings are a Roman Catholic cathe dral, some schools and an arsenal. The people are of Polynesian extraction and famous as presenting a perfect type of face and form. In 1904 a violent storm brought disaster to the group, depopulating some islands and causing much suffering and destitution. Area, square miles. Pop. about 18,000.