Bora Bora

Infobox Islands
name =Bora Bora


image caption = NASA picture of the island of Bora Bora and its lagoon.
image size =
locator

native name =
native name link = French
nickname =
location = Pacific Ocean
coordinates =
archipelago = Society Islands
total islands =
major islands =
area_km2 = 29.3
highest mount = Mount Otemanu
elevation_m = 727
country = France
country admin divisions title = Overseas collectivity
country admin divisions = French Polynesia
country admin divisions title 2 = Commune
country admin divisions 2 = Bora-Bora
country admin divisions title 1 = Administrative subdivision
country admin divisions 1 = Leeward Islands
country capital city =
country largest city = Vaitape
country largest city population = 4,927 inhabitants
country leader title =
country leader name =
population = 8,880Population of the commune of Bora-Bora minus about 50 workers living in the coconut plantations on the atoll of Tupai.]
population as of = Aug. 2007 census
density = 303
ethnic groups =
additional info =

Bora Bora is an island in the Leeward group of the Society Islands of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The island, located about 230 kilometres (140 mi) northwest of Papeete, is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef. In the center of the island are the remnants of an extinct volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest point at 727 metres (2,385 ft). The original name of the island in the Tahitian language might be better rendered as "Pora Pora", meaning "First Born"; an early transcription found in 18th- and 19th century accounts, is Bolabolla (or "Bollabolla").

The major settlement, Vaitape is on the western side of the island, opposite the main channel into the lagoon. The products of the island are mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and coconut trees, which were historically of economic importance for copra.

During the August 2007 census, the population on the island was about 8,880 people.

Administration

The island is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Bora-Bora, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands.

The commune of Bora-Bora is made up of the island of Bora Bora proper with its surrounding islets emerging from the coral reef (29.3 km²/11.3 sq. miles in total) and of the atoll of Tupai (convert|11|km2|sqmi|1|abbr=on|disp=s), located convert|20|km|mi|0 north of Bora Bora. The atoll of Tupai has no permanent population apart from about 50 workers in the coconut plantations.

History

The Island was first inhabited by Polynesian settlers around the 4th century. Its previous Polynesian name was "Vava'u".

The first European sighting was made by Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. James Cook sighted the island in 1769 and landed in 1777.A London Missionary Society arrived in 1820 and founded a Protestant church in 1822.

In 1842 Bora Bora was made a protectorate of France following the actions of Admiral Abel Aubert Dupetit Thouars.

World War II

Following the December 7, 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan, the United States entered World War II. The US chose Bora Bora as a South Pacific military supply base, and an oil depot, airstrip, seaplane base, and defensive fortifications were constructed. However, the island saw no combat as the American presence on Bora Bora went uncontested over the course of the war. Although the base was officially closed on June 2, 1946, many American personnel so loved the island and the people that they refused to leave. Some had to be forcibly removed following complaints from their families.Fact|date=February 2007

This World War II airstrip, which was never able to accommodate large aircraft, was French Polynesia's only international airport until Faa'a International Airport was opened in Papeete, Tahiti in 1962.

Today

Today the island is mainly dependent on tourism. Over the last few years several resorts have been built on "motu" (small islands) surrounding the lagoon.

Thirty years ago, Hotel Bora Bora built the first over-the-water bungalows on stilts over the lagoon and today, overwater bungalows are a standard feature of most Bora Bora resorts. The quality of those bungalows ranges from comparably cheap, basic accommodations to very luxurious - and pricey - places to stay. Most of the tourist destinations are aquacentric; however it is possible to visit attractions on land such as WWII cannons.

Air Tahiti has five or six flights daily to the airport on Moto Mute from Tahiti (as well as from other islands).

Although French and Tahitian are the main languages spoken by the inhabitants, people in contact with tourists generally have some command of English. Most visitors to Bora Bora are American, Japanese, or European.

Public transport on the island is limited, consisting of a single bus that goes halfway around the island and back approximately every hour. Bicycles are the recommended method of transport. There are also small fun-cars for hire in Vaitape.

Bora Bora is predestined for snorkeling and scuba diving in and around its lagoon. Many species of sharks and rays inhabit the surrounding body of water. There are a few dive operators on the island offering manta ray dives and also shark-feeding dives.

ee also

*List of volcanoes in French Polynesia

References

External links

* [http://www.TahitiTourism.com Official Website (Tahiti Tourism board)]
* [http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/oceania/bora.htm Bora Bora entry on WorldAtlas.com]