TAHITI - FRENCH POLYNESIA

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Tahiti is the largest island of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean at 17°40′S, 149°30′W. The island had a population of 169,677 inhabitants according to the 2002 census. (This makes it the most populated island of French Polynesia holding 69% of the total population.) The capital is Papeete, on the northwest coast. Tahiti has also been historically known as Otaheite.

Tahiti triangle - Pacific Ocean

Geography

Tahiti is some 45 km (28 mi) long at the widest point and covers 1,048 km² (404 sq mi), with the highest elevation being at 2,241 m (7,352 ft) above sea level (Mount Orohena). The island consists of two roughly round portions centered on volcanic mountains, connected by a short isthmus named after the small town of Taravao, which sits there. The northwestern part is known as Tahiti Nui ("big Tahiti"), and the southeastern part, much smaller, is known as Tahiti Iti ("small Tahiti") or Taiarapu. Whereas Tahiti Nui is quite heavily populated (especially around Papeete) and benefits from rather good infrastructure such as roads and highways, Tahiti Iti has remained quite isolated, its southeastern half (Te Pari) being accessible only by boat or hiking. A main road winds around the island between the mountains and the sea while an interior road climbs past dairy farms and citrus groves with panoramic views

Map of Tahiti - South Pacific Ocean

The vegetation is tremendously lush rain forest.

Some references have mistakenly labeled November through April as Tahiti's wet season. But, according to a 2001 UCLA research study done using years of government cataloged weather data, the islands of Tahiti receive, on average, more hours of sun, and less hours of rain, than Hawaii does year round. Graphs demonstrating the results of the study can be found at Tahiti Tourisme North America's website (the official government sanctioned site for the destination).

History

Tahiti was estimated to have settled by Polynesians between AD 300 and 800 coming from Tonga and Samoa, although some estimates place the date earlier. The fertile island soil combined with fishing provided ample food for the population.

Although the first European sighting of the islands was by a Spanish ship in 1606, Spain made no effort to trade with or colonize the island. Samuel Wallis, an English sea captain, sighted Tahiti on June 18, 1767, and is considered the first European visitor to the island. The perceived relaxed and contented nature of the local people and the characterization of the island as a paradise much impressed early European visitors, planting the seed for a romanticization by the West that endures to this day.

Wallis was followed in April 1768 by the French explorer Louis-Antoine de Bougainville who was completing the first French circumnavigation. Bougainville made Tahiti famous in Europe when he published the account of his travel in Voyage autour du Monde. He described the island as an earthly paradise where men and women live happily in innocence, away from the corruption of civilization. His account of the island powerfully illustrated the concept of the noble savage, and influenced the utopian thoughts of philosophers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau before the advent of the French Revolution.

In 1774 Captain James Cook visited the island, and estimated the population at that time to be some 200,000. This was probably too high; another estimate from the same period was 121,500. After Cook's visit, European ships landed on the island with ever greater frequency. The best-known of these ships was HMS Bounty, whose crew mutinied shortly after leaving Tahiti in 1789. The European influence caused significant disruption to the traditional society, by bringing prostitution, venereal diseases, and alcohol to the island. Introduced diseases including typhus and smallpox killed so many Tahitians that by 1797, the island's population was only about 16,000. Later it was to drop as low as 6,000.

In 1842, a European crisis involving Morocco escalated between France and Great Britain when Admiral Dupetit Thouars, acting independently of the French government, was able to convince Tahiti's Queen Pomare IV to accept a French protectorate. George Pritchard, a Birmingham-born missionary and acting British Consul, had been away at the time of the agreement. However he returned to work towards indoctrinating the locals against the Roman Catholic French. In November 1843, Dupetit-Thouars (again completely on his own initiative) landed sailors on the island, formally annexing it to France. He then proceeded to throw Pritchard into prison, subsequently sending him unceremoniously back to Britain.

News of the events in Tahiti reached Europe in early 1844. The French statesman François Guizot, supported by King Louis-Philippe of France, had strongly denounced the annexation of the island. However, war between the French and the Tahitians continued until 1847. The island remained a French protectorate until June 29, 1880, when King Pomare V (1842–1891) was forced to cede the sovereignty of Tahiti and its dependencies to France. He was given the titular position of Officer of the Orders of the Legion of Honour and Agricultural Merit of France. In 1946, Tahiti and the whole of French Polynesia became a Territoire d'outre-mer (French overseas territory). In 2003, this status was changed to that of Collectivité d'outre-mer (French overseas community).

French painter Paul Gauguin lived on Tahiti in the 1890s and painted many Tahitian subjects. Papeari has a small Gauguin museum.

Politics

Aerial view of Arue and Mahina area, east of Papeete

Tahitians are French citizens with full civil and political rights. The Tahitian language and the French language are both in use.

Tahiti is part of French Polynesia (Polynesie Française). French Polynesia is now a semi-autonomous territory of France with its own assembly, President, budget and laws. France's influence is limited to providing subsidies, education and security. The current President of French Polynesia, Oscar Temaru, is advocating full independence from France, however, only about 20% of the population is currently in favor of full independence.

During a press conference on June 26, 2006 during the second France-Oceania Summit, French President Jacques Chirac said he did not think the majority of Tahitians wanted independence. He said he would keep an open door to a possible referendum in the future.

Elections for the Assembly of French Polynesia, the Territorial Assembly of French Polynesia, were held on May 23, 2004. In a surprise result, Oscar Temaru's pro-independence progressive coalition formed a Government with a one seat majority in the 57 seat parliament, defeating the conservative party led by Gaston Flosse. On October 8, 2004, the Gaston Flosse led opposition party succeeded in passing a censure motion against the Government, provoking a political crisis. A major topic of controversy is whether the national government of France should use its exceptional power to call for new elections in a local government, in case of a grave political crisis.

Javelin throwing at the Heiva annual cultural festival in Papeete

Economy

Tourism is a significant industry, mostly to the islands of Bora Bora and Moorea. In July, the Heiva festival in Papeete celebrates Polynesian culture and the commemoration of the storming of the Bastille in France.

After the establishment of the CEP (Centre d'Experimentation du Pacifique) in 1963, the standard of living in French Polynesia increased considerably and as a result, many Polynesians abandoned traditional activities and many islanders decided to emigrate to the centre at Papeete. Even though the standard of living in Polynesia is elevated (due mainly to France's FDI investment), the economy is extremely reliant on imports. At the cessation of CEP activities, France signed the Progress Pact with Tahiti to compensate the loss of financial resources and assist in education and tourism with an investment of about US$150 Million a year from the beginning of 2006. The main trading partners with Tahiti are France which accounts for about 40% of imports and about 25% of exports, the USA, Japan, Australia and New-Zealand.

Black pearl farming is also a substantial source of revenues, most of the pearls being exported to Japan, Europe and the US. Tahiti also exports vanilla, fruits, flowers, monoi, fish, coprah oil, and noni.

Unemployment affects about 13% of the active population, especially women and unqualified young people.

French Pacific Franc

Tahiti’s currency, the French Pacific Franc (CFP), is on parity with the French Franc (about 100 CFP’s for every U.S. dollar). Hotels and financial institutions offer exchange services. U.S. currency and major credit cards are widely accepted.

There is no sales tax in Tahiti. However, a special 2% reduced rate Value Added Tax (VAT) applies to all rented accommodations (hotel rooms, pensions and family stays), and room and meal packages for tourists. A 4% VAT rate applies to purchases in shops, stores and boutiques. A 6% VAT rate applies to bars, excursions, car rentals, snacks and restaurants.

Education

Tahiti hosts a French university, Université de la Polynésie Française ("University of French Polynesia"). It is a small growing university, with around 2,000 students and about 60 researchers. Le Collège La Mennais is located in Papeete.

Arts and music

Recently there has been a strong push to revive old ways and rediscover traditional arts. Traditional musical instruments include pahu and toere drums and the curious nose flute called a vivo. Guitars and ukuleles made their way into Polynesia and the locals developed a unique song style that owes much to country & western music in form but has a distinctive South Pacific island groove. Customary dancing (tamure) has slowly made its way back into French Polynesian life, but the art of making tapa (bark paper and cloth) has largely disappeared.

Transport

Moorea ferry

Faa'a International Airport is the international airport of Tahiti with Air Tahiti the national airline. The Moorea Ferry is also a notable ferry that operates from Papeete.

Tahiti is just one of a group of closely situated Islands in the South Pacific Ocean bearing different names and identities.  With a peak of 1042 km2, Tahiti is the largest of the Polynesian islands.  Even Tahiti is really composed of 2 islands: Tahiti-Nui, the big island and Tahiti-Iti, the small one, both linked by an isthm.  Tahiti's highest mountains are: the Orohena (2235 m) and the Aorai (2066 m).  The Tahitian population is also the most concentrated especially in Papeete, the capital city and gateway of the territory.  Papeete boasts bustling markets, fine restaurants, pearl shops, clubs and boutiques.

TAHITI - The Gathering Place

Tahiti-Nui & Tahiti-Iti Islands

Discover the public market ("Le Marché") where traditional Tahitian arts and crafts, oils and brilliant flowers line the walkways. The market is at its finest every afternoon when the day's fresh catch is brought from the fishing boats, and on Sunday mornings when local families shop for their traditional Sunday feasts.  Don't miss the popular "Les Roulottes", mobile diners that unfold late each afternoon along the waterfront.

The public transport system, called: Le Truck, provides an interesting way of seeing the local towns and people.  A taxi service is also available from your hotel to restaurants and shopping and is best arranged by your hotel concierge.  Car rentals are also available from the airport and your hotel.  Helicopters can be hired for dramatic island tours or for transportation to Moorea and Bora Bora.  You will find beautiful white sand beaches between the districts of Punaauia and Papara. The black sand beach of the Pointe Vénus is the most famous of the black sand beaches located on the East coast of Tahiti.  The interior of the island offers splendid and unforgettable opportunities for hiking or safari 4x4 excursions, with impressive waterfalls, archeological sites, grottoes, etc...

To visit:the Papeete Public Market; the new To'ata Square open 24hrs a day ideal for strolling and also serves as a showground for the Heiva Festival; the art galleries in Papeete and in the districts of Papara and Afaahiti; the museums; the churches like the Cathedrale of Papeete; the Botanical Garden in Papeari and the Mataoa Gardens in Papara; the different town halls like in Papeete, Arue, Faaa; the Chinese Temple in Mamao, the lagoonarium in Punaauia, the historical Pointe Vénus lighthouse; the tomb of the royal family Pomare in Arue; the marae Arahurahu; the lake Vaihiria with its eels that have ears; the different valleys and mountains of Tahiti like the Aorai, the Mont Marau; the 3 cascades (waterfalls) of Tiarei; the lavatubes of Hitiaa; and of course the peninsula and the cliffs of the "Pari", paradise for hikers looking for adventure... Do not hesitate to circle the island. In Taravao, you can reach the peninsula of Tahiti Iti by crossing the small isthm.

Papenoo beach

Festivals & Events:

April: Islands Music Festival    May: Tahiti Pro Surfing Competition    June: International Golf Open
July: Heiva I Tahiti, the largest dance and songs festival on all the islands   July: Polynesian Games    October: Tahiti Carnival

HUAHINE - Garden of Eden

Huahine Tiare Beach

Composed of 2 islands linked by a bridge, Huahine lies on a superficy of 80 km2, 170 km away from Tahiti.  Huahine is served by Air Tahiti with daily 35-minute flights from Papeete and Moorea, and 15-20 minute flights from both Raiatea and Bora Bora.  Taxi service is available, and the public transit system, Le Truck, has daily routes from outlying villages to the town of Fare. As both islands are connected by a causeway, all roads can be explored by hired excursion or by renting a car, jeep, or bicycle. Motorboats and sailboats can be rented with or without a guide for half or full-day lagoon explorations.  

With its lush forests and untamed landscape, Huahine is Polynesia's best kept secret. A deep crystal-clear lagoon surrounds the two islands while magnificent bays and white-sand beaches add drama and solitude to their virtues.  Huahine's few residents are warm, welcoming visitors with great kindness.  With its rich and fertile soil, the island provides farmers bountiful harvests of vanilla, melons and bananas.

Tahitian Women on the Beach 1891 painting by Paul Gauguin

Many archeological sites have been discovered there and Huahine is still intact in many aspects. Near the village of Maeva lies the largest concentration of pre-European marae in Polynesia. Now fully restored, over 200 stone structures, including 40 marae, allow you to walk into ancient times.  

Do not miss visiting the interior of the island, the Maeva marae at the foot of Mount Mouatapu and on the shores of lake Fauna Nui; the Belvedere for a beautiful view of Maroe Bay; the vanilla plantations; the Eden Parc -an 8-acre botanical garden and the awesome surfing spots !

Festivals & Events:

MAUPITI

At a distance of 260km from Tahiti, these 40 km2 of superficy were once paradise for the US Navy in the Pacific during World War II.  Bora Bora, whose ancient name is Pora Pora (since the letter B does not exist in the Tahitian language), is recognizable by the flat profile of her mountain Otemanu (727 m) and above all known for the beauty of her turquoise waters.

Bora Bora is served by Air Tahiti with regular 35-minute flights from Papeete and Moorea, and 20-minute flights from Huahine and Raiatea.  The airport is based on one of her motus: Motu Mute, and is only accessible to the hotels by a passenger ferry to the port village of Vaitape or by private motorboats operated by some of the hotels.  Bora Bora has a few taxis and operates the public transit system, Le Truck. The picturesque circle-island and interior roads are best explored through hired excursion.  Car and bicycle rentals are available, while motorboat and outrigger canoe rentals offer an enjoyable way to discover the lagoon and surrounding motus.  Helicopters can also be hired for dramatic island tours or transportation to Papeete.

To visit: the motus especially Motu Tapu; the raised stones of the royal Farerua marae also called Marotetini; the former US naval base; the summit of Mt Pahia for its breathtaking view...

Tetiaroa Beach

TETIAROA

TUAMOTUS

RANGIROA

TIKEHAU

Official Website (Tahiti Tourism Board)

Tahiti Travel Guide

Picture of Bora Bora and Vahine100's of Images

Map of French Polynesia

CIA Factbook entry

Picture gallery

University of French Polynesia

Satellite view of Tahiti and Moorea

Photogallery of Society Islands

Informations sur Tahiti

Faufa'a Tupuna, le wiki consacré au patrimoine culturel polynésien

Cook's Pacific Encounters: Cook-Forster Collection online Images and descriptions of more than 300 artefacts collected during the three Pacific voyages of James Cook, including nearly 100 objects from Tahiti and the Society Islands.

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