Polynesia

Polynesia is a large region of islands in the central and southern Pacific Ocean. The name comes from Greek words that mean "many islands." Polynesia covers a very wide area of ocean, much larger than its land area. The islands are spread across thousands of kilometers. Even though the islands are far apart, they share many cultural and historical links.

Polynesia is often described as a triangle on a map. The three main points of this triangle are Hawaii in the north, New Zealand in the southwest, and Easter Island in the southeast. Within this area are many island groups, such as Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and the Marquesas Islands. Each island group has its own local features, but they are part of the same larger region.

The islands of Polynesia were settled by people known as Polynesians. These people traveled long distances across the ocean in canoes. They used the sun, stars, winds, and ocean currents to guide their journeys. This method of travel is called navigation, which means finding direction and position while traveling. Polynesian navigation did not use modern tools like compasses.

Polynesian societies developed systems of leadership, family groups, and shared customs. Many islands were ruled by chiefs. Social rules guided daily life, land use, and ceremonies. Languages spoken across Polynesia belong to the same language family. This means they share similar words and sounds, even though they are spoken on different islands.

The environment of Polynesia includes beaches, coral reefs, volcanoes, and mountains. Some islands are volcanic, formed by lava from the earth. Others are coral islands, built from the remains of sea animals. Plants and animals reached the islands by ocean currents, birds, or were brought by people. Islanders learned how to use local resources for food, housing, and travel.

In later centuries, Polynesia came into contact with Europeans. Explorers such as James Cook visited several islands in the 1700s. This contact changed island life in many ways, including trade, religion, and government. Today, Polynesia includes independent countries and territories linked to other nations, but the region remains defined by its geography, people, and shared past.