Pronunciation: mär- ' k ā -z ə z, -z ə s, -s ə z, -s ə s
Variant: or F Îles Mar · quises \ ˌ ē l-mär- ' k ē z \
Function: geographical name
islands S. Pacific N of Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia capital Taiohae (on Nuku Hiva) area 480 sq mi (1248 sq km ), pop 7358