Facts and Factoids
- French Polynesia is currently an overseas collectivity of France (which means it is semi autonomous) and its sole overseas country - a special designation.
- It consists of 121 islands and atolls, which stretch an astonishing 2,000 kilometres across the South Pacific Ocean. Including the ocean, the whole of French Polynesia is equivalent in size to Europe. The islands are divided into five groups: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Archipelago, the Gambier Islands, the Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands.
- In the 1960s, the tourist overwater bungalow (as seen below), was created on the island of Moorea.
- It is thought that the word “tattoo” derives from the Tahitian word tatau.
- About 10% of the population of French Polynesia today is Chinese. The Chinese were brought to the area, in the mid-1800s, to work in the plantations.
- Tahiti is home to The Pearl Museum, the only museum in the world dedicated solely to pearls. Pearl diving was astaple industry. So, French Polynesia's nickname - Pearl of Polynesia - is doubly suitable.
A Very Brief History of French Polynesia
- It's believed that the islands now known as French Polynesia, were settled as part of the Great Polynesian Migration, which began around 1500 BC. (Austronesian peoples navigated by the sun and stars to find other islands in the South Pacific Ocean. The first islands of French Polynesia to be settled, were the Marquesas Islands (in about 200 BC). The more southerly, Society Islands were discovered around 300 AD.
- European encounters first began in the Tuāmotu-Gambier Archipelago, in 1521, with Portuguese Ferdinand Magellan, on behalf of the Spanish Crown. The Spanish were followed by the Dutch. In 1722, Jakob Roggeveen (for the Dutch West India Company), charted six islands in the Tuamotus and two in the Society Islands; one of these was Bora Bora.
- The first European navigator to visit Tahiti, was British explorer Samuel Wallis, in 1767. He was followed by James Cook. The first actual European settlers (but not for very long) were Spanish, followed by Protestants from the London Missionary Society and then French catholic missionaries. The island kings and their subjects were converted and France annexed the islands, gradually expanding, despite resistance from the kings and the odd skirmish with the British.
- The first official name for the colony was Établissements de l'Océanie (Establishments in Oceania). In 1946, Polynesians were granted French citizenship and the islands' status was changed to an overseas territory; in 1957, the islands' name became Lynésie Française (French Polynesia).
What to do in French Polynesia?
Take in the Polynesian culture, enjoy the incredible scenery, enjoy water sports and generally have a good time. You will need a well stuffed wallet. and for most of us, it's a long way to travel, so make the most of it while you're there.
Read about my trips to French Polynesia:
