Tahiti
Island in French Polynesia / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Tahiti (English: /təˈhiːti/; Tahitian [taˈhiti];[2] French pronunciation: [ta.iti]; previously also known as Otaheite) is the largest island of the Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia. It is located in the central part of the Pacific Ocean and the nearest major landmass is Australia.[3][4] Divided into two parts, Tahiti Nui (bigger, northwestern part) and Tahiti Iti (smaller, southeastern part), the island was formed from volcanic activity; it is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs. Its population was 189,517 in 2017,[1] making it by far the most populous island in French Polynesia and accounting for 68.7% of its total population; the 2022 Census resulted in a population of 191,779.
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 Show map of Tahiti Show map of Society Islands—French PolynesiaTahiti, the largest island of the Society islands | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°40′S 149°25′W |
| Archipelago | Society Islands |
| Major islands | Tahiti |
| Area | 1,044 km2 (403 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 2,241 m (7352 ft) |
| Highest point | Mont Orohena |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Largest settlement | Papeʻete (pop. 136,777) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 189,517[1] (August 2017 census) |
| Pop. density | 181/km2 (469/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Tahitians |
Tahiti is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity and an overseas country of the French Republic. The capital of French Polynesia, Papeʻete, is located on the northwest coast of Tahiti. The only international airport in the region, Faʻaʻā International Airport, is on Tahiti near Papeʻete. Tahiti was originally settled by Polynesians between 300 and 800 CE. They represent about 70% of the island's population, with the rest made up of Europeans, Chinese and those of mixed heritage. The island was part of the Kingdom of Tahiti until its annexation by France in 1880, when it was proclaimed a colony of France, and the inhabitants became French citizens. French is the sole official language, although the Tahitian language (Reo Tahiti) is also widely spoken.