ABOUT TAHITI:

Tahiti and her legendary islands of love have captured the imagination of the Western world for more than two hundred years.

18th century voyagers Wallis, Bougainville and Cook all spoke of a land of spellbinding beauty and enchantment. There the climate was delightful, dangerous insects and diseases unknown, and the natives, especially the women, among the handsomest ever seen.

A hundred years later though, the indigenous population was nearly decimated by the overwhelming tide of European settlers, traffickers, mercenaries, diseases and religious wars. In 1880, after much resistance from Tahitians and competition from the British, France declared the Tahitian islands a full French colony and French Polynesia was born.

Although French is widely spoken throughout the territory, 80% of the population also speak Tahitian. The education system is based entirely in French, and Tahitian was only recognised as an official language in 1980. English-speaking tourists needn't worry about the language barrier though as many in the tourist industry can speak English.

In 1996 the population of the whole territory was 219,521. It was granted partial internal self-government in 1977 after ongoing nationalist protest by indigenous peoples. In 1984 a French statute gave slightly more powers to the Polynesians and in 1996 additional powers were transferred to the territory amid calls for full independence.

Tahiti is referred to by Tahitians as Te Ao Maohi and is made up of five great archipelagos: the Society, Tuamotu, Marquesas, Gambier and the Austral (or Tubuai) islands. Each archipelago has its own geological history ranging from mountainous ranges to rocky volcanic coastlines. Lush vegetation adorns the high islands, and everywhere the sweet perfume of the tiare or Tahitian gardenia fills the air.

Most tourist destinations are based in the Society group where the island of Tahiti is situated. Tahiti itself has a high mountainous interior with towns and settlements spread around its coastal plains. The country's capital, Papeete, also has the main port. The nearby island of Moorea is similar to Tahiti but has a more languid pace while Huahine is famed for its beautiful lagoon, beaches and picturesque town. Raiatea is steeped in Polynesian mythology and Borabora is majestic with its spectacular scenery and cluster of islands around it.

Tahiti has an even climate throughout the year with the hot and humid summer season running from November to April. The rest of the year the trade winds present a cooler and drier climate. Many sailors favour weather between May to October.

The islands abound in things to see and do including shopping, sports and recreation activities, cultural performances, sumptuous dining (traditional and gourmet) and island hopping excursions.

One of its big tourist earners is its black pearl industry. Only the giant black-lipped oyster that flourishes in the Tuamotu lagoons creates the Tahitian black pearl. The exquisite lustre of these sea gems has made it a much sought after and expensive fashion item around the world.