Hiva Oa

Hiva `Oa is the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, and the largest island of the southern group. Its name means "long ridgepole" in South Marquesan. The island is likely so named because of its long central ridge.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Atuona, on the south side of the island was formerly the seat of government for all of the Marquesas Islands, but has been replaced by Nuku Hiva's Tai o Hae, leaving it as the regional seat of government for only the southern Marquesas.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The island was the final home of French painter Paul Gauguin and Belgian singer Jacques Brel, both of whom are buried in Calvary Cemetery, overlooking Atuona.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In late pre-European times, the island was nearly evenly divided into two provinces—Nuku in the west, and Pepane in the east.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marquesas Islands: The Marquesas Islands, not to be confused with the Marquesas Keys of Florida, are a group of islands in French Polynesia. In French they are known as the ?les Marquises or Archipel des Marquises or Marquises, and in Marquesan they are known variously as Te Henua (K)enana (North Marquesan) and Te Fe...

Atuona: Atuona, located on Hiva `Oa is the administrative center for the southern Marquesas Islands. It is located on Atuona Bay on the southern coast of the island....

Tai o Hae: Located at the head of a wide bay of the same name, on the south side of Nuku Hiva, Tai o Ha'e is the principal town of Nuku Hiva, as well as the capital of the Marquesas Islands. (Another name for the town itself is Hakapehi.) On either side of the entrance to the bay are two small islands, calle...

Hiva Oa related Images and Photos (experimental)

O.A.R. - This Town	O.A.R. - This Town	Women's: O.A.R. - Vine	O.A.R. (Of A Revolution):All Sides
Lil' Kim: Ms. G.O.A.T.	Lil' Kim: Ms. G.O.A.T.	O.A.R.: Stories of a Stranger	O.A.R.: Stories of a Stranger
O.A.R.: Stories of a Stranger	Green Lantern Planet Oa Imaginext Super Friends Playset	The Astrolabe and Zelee Visiting Nuku Hiva Island in the French Marquesas Islands