Polynesia, an overseas collectivity 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 (11 km2/4.2 sq mi), located 20
kilometres (12 mi) north of Bora Bora. The atoll of Tupai has no permanent
population apart from about 50 workers in the coconut plantations. Former
President of French Polynesia Gaston Tong Sang is the current mayor of Bora
Bora.
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. Known as "Operation Bobcat", it
maintained a supply force of nine ships, 20,000 tons of equipment and nearly
5,000 men. Seven massive naval cannons were set up at strategic points
around the island to protect it against potential military attack.
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 loved the island and the
people so much that they refused to leave. The 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.
Commune of Bora Bora
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 (11 km2/4.2 sq mi), located 20
kilometres (12 mi) north of Bora Bora. The atoll of Tupai has no permanent
population apart from some workers in the coconut plantations.
The commune is in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands.
The administrative centre of the commune is the settlement of Vaitape, on
the island of Bora Bora.
Administration
Country France
Overseas community French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision Leeward Islands
Commune centre Vaitape
Mayor Gaston Tong Sang
Statistics
Elevation 0–727 m (0–2,400 ft)
Land area 40.3 km2 (15.6 sq mi)
Population1 8,927 (August 2007 census)
Density 222 /km² (570 /sq mi)
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