Welcome to Polynesia!
The islands of the Pacific are divided into three main groups - Melanesia which lies mostly to the south of the Equator; Micronesia which lies mainly to the north of the Equator and Polynesia which covers a huge area to the east.
The word Polynesia, which means many islands, comes from the Greek words poly which means many and nesos which means island. Polynesia stretches in a huge triangle from New Zealand in the southwest to Easter Island 8,000 kilometers away in the southeast and up to Hawai'i at its northern point. The Polynesian people are lighter skinned and are generally taller than the Melanesian and Micronesian people. It is believed that the Polynesians have their origins in Southeast Asia and then migrated via Fiji to Tonga and Samoa and from there to the rest of Polynesia.
Outline map of Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia
It has often been said that Samoa is the Heart of Polynesia and it could also be said that Polynesia is the Heart of Oceania. Populated by a people who are diverse in their culture and their customs, who are spread over a vast expanse of the great Pacific Ocean, yet bound together by a fundamental culture that remains unchanged ever since our oral traditions have been able to recall.
You are invited to visit the beautiful country nations of Polynesia.
The friendly smile of Polynesia! (Tonga)
Tahiti dancers, Tahiti
Samoa fire dance
Tahiti dancers
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HULA HIPS |
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Kauai ladies, Hawaii
Left: Cook Islands dancers Right: Tahiti girl
Fishing in Polynesia (Tahiti)!
New Zealand Royal dance
