American Samoa |
Cook Islands Fifteen islands spread out over 2.2mn kilometers |
Kiribati The eastern two thirds of this sprawling island nation fall within the scope of Polynesia. Remote and poor, the sun rises first here every day. |
French Polynesia Includes three islands with a strong claim to being the most beautiful island in the world, Bora Bora, Tahiti and Moorea, but also Mururoa where the French carried out nuclear tests until 1996. |
Niue Just one flight a week, from Auckland. |
Samoa Two main volcanic islands with luxuriant vegetation, traditional culture and wonderful open-sided houses. |
Tonga The so-called “Friendly islands” and a Kingdom. But traditional and modern cultures are now clashing. |
Tuvalu One of the smallest countries in the world in terms of population. |
It also includes smaller overseas territories of larger nations, including:
Baker and Howland Islands (USA) |
Easter Island (Chile) An isolated island with its amazing stone carvings. |
Hawaii (USA) |
Jarvis Island (USA) |
Johnston Atoll (USA) |
Midway Islands (USA) |
Palmyra Atoll and Kingman Reef (USA) |
Pitcairn Islands (UK) With descendants of the Bounty mutineers. |
Tokelau (New Zealand) |
Wallis and Futuna (France) |
New Zealand is often considered part of Polynesia both culturally and historically, but owing to its size, is covered in a separate article.