Bora Bora is a small island in the South Pacific Ocean known for its beauty and tropical climate. Bora Bora is part of French Polynesia, a French possession made up of the Austral, Gambier, Marquesas, Society, and Tuamotu island groups. Called Porapora, meaning “first born,” in the local language, Bora Bora is one of the westernmost of the Society Islands. Vaitape is the largest town on the island, which lies about 174 miles (280 km) northwest of Polynesia’s main island of Tahiti. Bora Bora is a major tourist destination famous for its luxury resorts.
About 9,600 people live on Bora Bora. Most of them are Polynesians or have mixed Polynesian and European ancestry. The majority of Bora Borans live in or near Vaitape. Most workers are employed in the tourist industry. Some people work on small coconut plantations or in the fishing industry. Snorkeling and scuba diving are popular.
Bora Bora covers only about 15 square miles (38 square kilometers). Twin peaks, the remnants of an ancient volcano, dominate the island. A narrow strip of flat, fertile land stretches along the coast. Heavy rainfall helps create fast-flowing streams and waterfalls. A ring-shaped coral reef nearly encircles the island. In some places, it rises above the ocean’s surface to form motu (islets).
Bora Bora is home to many birds, including petrels and terns. Many species of sharks, rays, and other fish inhabit the surrounding waters, as do sea turtles, dolphins, and whales. The island is covered with tropical vegetation, including coconut palms, orange trees, vanilla vines, and noni, an evergreen with edible fruit.
Bora Bora’s earliest inhabitants were Polynesians who spread from Asia across the islands of the South Pacific. They arrived in Bora Bora hundreds of years ago. The first European to see the island was the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen in 1722, but he did not stop there. The first Europeans to go ashore were crew members from the ships of the British sea captain James Cook in 1769 and 1777. British Christian missionaries established themselves on the island in about 1820. Bora Bora was an independent kingdom until France annexed it as a colony in 1888. During World War II (1939-1945), the United States military used Bora Bora as a supply base and built defensive fortifications there. An airstrip built by the Americans on Motu Mute still serves as the island’s airport.
In 1946, France declared Bora Bora and the other islands of French Polynesia to be a French overseas territory. Several independence movements began in French Polynesia during the mid-1900’s, but most of the people have wanted to remain under French rule. In 2004, French Polynesia became a French overseas country. The new status gave French Polynesia more power over local matters.
