Things to Know Before Going to Tahiti, French Polynesia The country of French Polynesia and its collection of 118 islands including Tahiti, Bora Bora, and Moorea are some of the most romantic, unique, and idyllic islands in the world. French Polynesia is famous for its reef break waves. The InterContinental Tahiti Resort & Spa is the largest luxury resort on the island of Tahiti. It comprises 118 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. The nominal gross domestic product (or GDP) of French Polynesia in 2014 was 5.623 billion U.S. dollars at market local prices, the sixth-largest economy in Oceania after Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea. The grass-skirted hip shaking of Tahitian dance is sure to get your toes tapping and heart thumping—let the celebratory vibe of this magical locale rejuvenate and excite you to the core. Fall in love with lush, tropical shores and experience Mana. The Polynesian traditional sport va'a is practiced in all the islands. The capital of Papeetē was founded in 1843. Tahiti, which is in the Society Islands group, is the most populous island, being home to nearly 69% of the population of French Polynesia as of 2017[update]. French Polynesia also sends three deputies to the French National Assembly in three constituencies, the 1st representing Papeete and its north-eastern suburbs, plus the commune (municipality) of Mo'orea-Mai'ao, the Tuāmotu-Gambier administrative division, and the Marquesas Islands administrative division, [[the 2nd representing much of Tahiti outside Papeete and the Austral Islands administrative subdivision, and the 3rd representing the Leeward Islands administrative subdivision and the south-western suburbs of Papeete. Home to the capital city of Papeete, Tahiti is the economic center of French Polynesia. At the 2017 census, 89.0% of people living in French Polynesia were born in French Polynesia (up from 87.3% in 2007), 8.1% were born in metropolitan France (down from 9.3% in 2007), 1.2% were born in overseas France outside of French Polynesia (down from 1.4% in 2007), and 1.7% were born in foreign countries (down from 2.0% in 2007). [32], At the same census, 95.2% of people whose age was 15 or older reported that they could speak, read and write French (up from 94.7% at the 2007 census), whereas only 1.3% reported that they had no knowledge of French (down from 2.0% at the 2007 census). In 1957, the EFO were renamed French Polynesia. [11][12], In the 1880s, France claimed the Tuamotu Archipelago, which formerly belonged to the Pōmare Dynasty, without formally annexing it. UN List of Non-Self Governing Territories, French municipal elections held in March 2008, Learn how and when to remove this template message, High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia, Administrative divisions of French Polynesia, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Index of French Polynesia-related articles, List of colonial and departmental heads of French Polynesia, "Frontières ethniques et redéfinition du cadre politique à Tahiti", "La population légale au 17 août 2017 : 275 918 habitants", "Les grands indicateurs des comptes économiques", "Les statuts de la Nouvelle-Calédonie et de la Polynésie", "History of French Polynesia, 1797 to 1889", "History of French Polynesia, 1889 to 1918", "France Ending Nuclear Tests That Caused Broad Protests", "French Polynesia Battles for Independence", "BBC NEWS, French Polynesia gets new leader", "Polynésie : Gaston Flosse présente un gouvernement d'union", "R1- Population sans doubles comptes, des subdivisions, communes et communes associées de Polynésie française, de 1971 à 1996", "An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm", "Recensement 2017 – Données détaillées - Migrations", "Recensements de la population - Evolution des caractéristiques socio-démographiques", "Logiques " autonomiste " et " indépendantiste " en Polynésie française", "Temaru-Flosse: le rebond du nationalisme tahitien", "Population des communes de Polynésie française au RP 2007", "Population statistique des communes et communes associées aux recensements de 1971 à 2002", Censuses from 1907 to 1962 in Population, 1972, #4–5, pp. French Catholic missionaries arrived on Tahiti in 1834; their expulsion in 1836 caused France to send a gunboat in 1838. [31] An organic law of 12 April 1996 states that "French is the official language, Tahitian and other Polynesian languages can be used." Each archipelago offers opportunities for divers. At the French municipal elections held in March 2008, several prominent mayors who are member of the Flosse-Temaru coalition lost their offices in key municipalities of French Polynesia, which was interpreted as a disapproval of the way Gaston Tong Sang, whose party French Polynesian voters had placed first in the territorial elections the month before, had been prevented from becoming president of French Polynesia by the last minute alliance between Flosse and Temaru's parties. Christianity is the main religion of the islands. Gaston Flosse was then elected president of French Polynesia by the territorial assembly on 23 February 2008 with the support of the pro-independence party led by Oscar Temaru, while Oscar Temaru was elected speaker of the territorial assembly with the support of the anti-independence party led by Gaston Flosse. You can also fly to Papeete nonstop from Honolulu on a weekly Hawaiian Airlines flight. The islands of French Polynesia make up a total land area of 3,521 square kilometres (1,359 sq mi),[22] scattered over more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) of ocean. On 14 September 2007, the pro-independence leader Oscar Temaru, was elected president of French Polynesia for the third time in three years (with 27 of 44 votes cast in the territorial assembly). Having declared a protectorate over Tahuata in 1842, the French regarded the entire Marquesas Islands as French. [46] The GDP per capita was $20,098 in 2014 (at market exchange rates, not at PPP), lower than in Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, but higher than all the independent insular states of Oceania. Moorea and Bora Bora VIP Luxury Romance Offer! A place like no other, what dreams are made of … and this dream can be a reality. The collectivity government retains control over primary and secondary education, health, town planning, and the environment. The Brando is a unique luxury resort on French Polynesia’s breathtakingly beautiful private island of Tetiaroa – an atoll composed of a dozen small islands surrounding a sparkling lagoon 30 miles northeast of Tahiti. Export - 9/30/2020, FP-79. The highest point is Mount Orohena on Tahiti. [19] He replaced former president Gaston Tong Sang, opposed to independence, who lost a no-confidence vote in the Assembly of French Polynesia on 31 August after the longtime former president of French Polynesia, Gaston Flosse, hitherto opposed to independence, sided with his long enemy Oscar Temaru to topple the government of Gaston Tong Sang. On this budget, you can stay in a dorm room, cook most of your meals, eat the occasional meal from the food trucks, do cheap activities like hiking and snorkeling, limit your drinking, and stick to just one island/archipelago. [37] Community of Christ, another denomination within the Latter-Day Saint tradition, claimed 7,990 total French Polynesian members as of 2015[38] including Mareva Arnaud Tchong who serves in the church's governing Council of Twelve Apostles. Through studies of its rock layers, geologists have figured out the likely history of Tahiti-Nui. Tahiti consists of two old volcanoes—Tahiti-Nui in the northwest and Tahiti-Iti in the southeast—linked by an isthmus. Teahupo'o is probably the most renowned, regularly ranked in the best waves of the world. French Polynesia (/ˈfrɛntʃ pɒlɪˈniːʒə/ (listen); French: Polynésie française [pɔlinezi fʁɑ̃sɛz]; Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country. Although not an integral part of its territory, Clipperton Island was administered from French Polynesia until 2007. The Brando offers carefree luxury in the midst of pristine nature. See waterfalls, ancient ruins, and incredible viewpoints. Tahiti (French Polynesia) – Where Dreams Come True. In 1842, Tahiti and Tahuata were declared a French protectorate, to allow Catholic missionaries to work undisturbed. [49] In August 2018, a celebration was held to commemorate the arrival of a submarine cable from Papeete to the atoll of Hao, extending the network by about 1000 kilometres. Whether you come here for relaxation or to explore, you will feel the life force flow through everything, we call it Mana. Since all flights arrive through Faa'a International Airport, your tailored Tahiti vacation will begin and end in Papeete. With bustling marine life, beautiful varieties of birds and more, learn more about Tahiti animal and plant life. French Polynesia, a massive array of high islands and atolls consisting of the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier and Austral Islands, was made a protectorate in 1842, conquered in 1847 and officially annexed in 1880. A Certified Tahiti Specialist® can help you uncover hidden gems. The island is a true reflection of the laid back Tahitian lifestyle and the warm, welcoming character of French Polynesia and its people. In 1880, France annexed Tahiti, changing the status from that of a protectorate to that of a colony. 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