Coordinates 23°0'S 150°0'W? / ?23°S 150°W? / -23; -150The Austral Islands (French Îles Australes or Archipel des Australes) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, the Austral Islands consist of two separate archipelagos. From northwest to southeast they are
The islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines.
In administrative terms, the Austral Islands (including the Bass Islands) constitute an administrative subdivision, the Austral Islands (subdivision administrative des (Îles) Australes), one of French Polynesia's five administrative subdivisions (subdivision administratives). Geographically, the administrative subdivision of the Austral Islands is identical with the electoral district of the Austral Islands (circonscription des Îles Australes), one of French Polynesia's six electoral districts (circonsriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia.
