Hiva Oa (old name: Hiwaoa, Ohiwaoa, La Dominica) is an island located in the southeastern Pacific, which belongs geographically to the southern group of the Marquesas, politically to French Polynesia. It is the second largest island in the archipelago after Nuku Hiva. The Polynesian name Hiva Oa translated means "long ridge beam" and goes back to a legend of the natives: In the establishment of the "earth of the men", the gods finally created the roof, whose supporting beam is formed by Hiva Oa. Shaped like a seahorse, the island is criss-crossed by a rugged mountain range from southwest to northeast. The village of Atuona in the south of the island is the capital and seat of the local administration. The inhabitants live mainly from agriculture, tourism does not play a big role so far. Atuona still has a relatively modern infrastructure, there is a hotel and small private pensions, as well as restaurants and snack bars. The biggest sights on the island are the historic sites of the tribes, which can be found in different parts of the island.