The island of Tahiti proper, often called the "Island of Love," is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. The 402 sq. miles of Tahiti"s surface area consists of mountain peaks reaching over 7,300-ft into a lei of wispy clouds. Around Tahiti-Nui (Big Tahiti), a long road winds between the mountains and the sea. On the peninsula known as Tahiti-Iti (Little Tahiti), the road continues down each coast for miles. Papeete, the modern and bustling capital of Tahiti and her islands, contains government offices, Gendarmerie, hospitals and clinics, banks .
Papeete is a unique city like no other city in the world. French Polynesia's capital and center of business it's population is reported to be between 90-120,000 people, depending on where the city limit is defined, accounting for well over half the population of the island.
PAPEETE, the capital of the Pacific island of Tahiti, and the chief port and trading centre, and the seat of government of the French establishments in Oceania. Pop. 4280 (2500 French). The town, lying on the north-west coast of the island, on a beautiful harbour entered by two passages through the protecting reef, and backed by five mountains, is French in character as far as concerns the richer quarters. It has a cathedral, barracks and arsenal, government buildings and a botanical garden. The Chinese quarter and the picturesque native market contrast strongly with the European settlement. Of the entrances to the harbour, which is of fair extent and depth, that of Papeete has about seven fathoms depth; that of Taunoa is shallower, though wider and more convenient.
The islands of Polynesia are a gorgeous collection of volcanic islands and atolls strewn lazily across the grand Pacific Ocean. The island of Tahiti proper, often called the "Island of Love," is the largest of the 118 islands and atolls that comprise French Polynesia. The 402 sq. miles of Tahiti"s surface area consists of mountain peaks reaching over 7,300-ft into a lei of wispy clouds. Around Tahiti-Nui (Big Tahiti), a
