Bora Bora is a island in the western part of the Society islands of French Polynesia ,which
is a overseas collectivity of France in the Pacific Ocean. The
island with area of 30 km2 (12 sq mi) is located
about 230 kilometres (143 miles) lies northwest of Tahiti, is surrounded by a lagoon
and a barrier reef. In the
heart of the island are the remanants of one dead
volcano rising to two peaks, Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu, the highest
peak at 727 metres (2,385 feet). In Ancient times, island was known as Vava’u
and "Pora pora mai te pora" which
means "created by the Gods" in Tahitian dialect. Because of
ambiguities in Tahitian language it was often abbreviated as Pora Pora, Bola
Bola or Bora bora which simply means First Born.
Bora Bora is a major
international tourist destination, famous for its aqua-centric luxury resorts.
Bora bora does not have a capital city however major settlement Vaitape is on
the western side of the main island, which is also administrative hub.
President of French Polynesia Édouard Fritch is present Mayor of Bora Bora in
addition to being the President. Main Products
of the Island are mostly limited to what can be obtained from the sea and the
abundant coconut trees. According to a 2008 census, Bora
Bora has a permanent population of 8,880 residents. The locals have a firm grip on
the culture and traditions which they love to share with the visitors. They
have traditional songs and dances for the island. The main languages that are
spoken in Bora Bora are French and Tahitian. English is also spoken in many resorts,
hotels, markets, and tourist places. The climate is Bora bora is mostly
tropical with summer (wet) season runs
from November to April and
winters (dry) season runs from May to October.
Captain James on his first
voyage to French Polynesia in 1769 discovered
Bora Bora and established a London Missionary Society Base in 1820
converting many local Polynesians into Christanity. Bora Bora forcefully became
a French Colony in 1888 , nearly 40 years after Tahiti annexation with French.
The Island was a quiet Paradise until 1940 when Americans used it as Supply
base in WWII ,also establishing a runway on Motu Mote for Allied forces Supply
operations.
Presently Islands economy is
solely driven by tourism.During last few many years many resorts have been
built in Motu and other areas surrounding the lagoon. There are many resorts in
Bora Bora with standard features of over-the-water bungalows luring tourist
from all over the world despite being extremely expensive. Many of the resort
Hotels are builts on their own tiny island called motu providing unique essence
to the locale of island. The most Popular activities on Island are snorkeling, scuba diving, cruising, paddle boarding, fishing,
kite surfing, Jet Skiing, and of course, shark and ray feeding. There
are many recreational activities should one decide to venture away from the
resort including visit to main village of vaitape or shopping at local
boutiques for local handicrafts or eating at famous restaurants. Bora bora is
also a popular romantic destination for couples on their honeymoons because of islands exquisite
scenery to the privacy and facilities of the overwater bungalows, everything in
Bora Bora is a reflects to a romantic paradise.
Bora bora is a gorgeous island,
with lush scenery, stunning lagoons and an idyllic motu, considered by many to
be one of the last tropical paradises on earth.
