Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, in the southern Pacific Ocean at 17 40' South, 149 30' West. The capital is Papeete, on the north west coast. Tahiti has also been historically known as Otaheite.The island consists of two roughly round portions centered on volcanic mountains, connected by a short isthmus. It is some 28 miles long at the widest point, covers 1042 km square (some 600 square miles), with the highest elevation being 7,320 feet above sea level.
Tahiti is the most populous island of French Polynesia, containing some 70% of its population. The island is served by Faaa International Airport.
The vegetation is lush rain forest. The wet season is November through April.
History
The native population is Polynesian, and is estimated to have settled on the island sometime between 300 and 800 AD, although some estimates place the date earlier.
The fertile island soil combined with fishing provided ample food for the population with ease. The relaxed and contented nature of the local culture much impressed early European visitors, and has been somewhat romantisized since.
European Contact
Although the islands were first spotted by a Spanish ship in 1606, Spain made no effort to trade with or colonize with the island.
Samuel Wallis, an English sea captain, landed on Tahiti in 1767. In 1774 Captain James Cook visited the island, and estimated the population at that time to be some 200,000.
After this European ships landed on the island with ever greater frequency, causing significiant disruption to the traditional society and introducing Christianity and venereal diseases.
In 1842 the kingdom of Tahiti was declared a French protectorate.
In 1880, King Pomare V (1842-1891) seeded sovereignty to France.
French painter Paul Gauguin lived on Tahiti in the 1890s and painted many Tahitian subjects. Papeari has a small Gauguin museum.
Tahitians are French citizens with full civil and political rights.
Tourism is a significant industry.
As of 1998, Tahiti had a population of 131,309 inhabitants, comprised of 83% Polynesians, 11,5% Europeans, 4,3% Asians and 8% of mixed races.Modern Tahiti
