French Polynesia
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The lagoon of Bora-Bora, French Polynesia. Bora-Bora (spelled Pora Pora in Tahitian) was first visited by Captain James Cook in 1777. It was annexed by France in the late 19th century, and served as a US naval base in World War II.
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One of the Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia, in the central southern Pacific. They have magnificent scenery, with verdant forests, rugged peaks, and turquoise seas. The French artist Paul Gauguin is buried on the largest island, Hiva Oa.
French Overseas Territory in the South Pacific, consisting of five archipelagos: Windward Islands, Leeward Islands (the two island groups comprising the Society Islands), Tuamotu Archipelago (including Gambier Islands), Tubuai Islands, and Marquesas Islands; total area 3,940 sq km/1,521 sq mi; population (2001 est) 235,000. The capital is Papeete on Tahiti, the main island. Tourism is the mainstay of the economy; other industries are cultivated pearls, copra, coconut oil, and vanilla, all of which provide significant exports.
History
The area was first visited by Europeans in 1595; it became a French protectorate in 1843 and was annexed to France 1880–82. It later became an overseas territory, changing its name from French Oceania in 1958, and became self-governing in 1977. Following demands for independence in New Caledonia in 1984–85, agitation for independence increased also in Polynesia.The languages spoken are Tahitian (official) and French.
| The French government is represented by a high commissioner (Michel Mathieu from 2001). It is administered by a Council of Ministers, with a president (Gaston Tong Sang from 2008) elected by the Territorial Assembly from its own members; two deputies are returned to the National Assembly in France and one senator to the Senate. In elections in May 2001, the Tahoeraa Huiraatira-Rassemblement pour la République (TH-RPR; People's Front-Rally for the Republic), led by Gaston Flosse, retained power. |
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