Chain of volcanic islands and reefs 1,300 km/800 mi long in French Polynesia, south of the Society Islands; area 148 sq km/57 sq mi; population (1999) 6,700. The main settlement is Mataura on Tubuai. They were visited by Capt Cook 1777 and annexed by France 1880. The chief products are copra and coffee.
The main islands in the group are Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raivaevae, and Rapa.