French Polynesia. French Polynesia Geographical location of the Tahiti Islands

French Polynesia is located in the South Pacific region. Its maritime borders intersect with the Republic of Kiribati, Cook Island and the Pitcairn Islands, an overseas territory of Great Britain. This exotic archipelago is widely known on the tourist map of the planet. It is famous as an excellent place for a luxurious holiday, where thousands of travel fans from all over the world come every year to soak up the soft rays of the sun.

Peculiarities

French Polynesia, tours to which are very popular among Russian travelers today, includes 118 islands of various sizes and shapes. In terms of the type of holiday, its specifics, appearance, price parameters and level of service, a large-scale resort can be compared with the Maldives, which adorn the expanse of the Indian Ocean. The overseas community of France territorially occupies half of the Pacific region of Polynesia. It is divided into several groups of islands, only part of which has a permanent population, which is also interesting in French Polynesia.

Hotels here are presented for tourists with different income levels. Legal and legislative system corresponds to the French constitution. At the same time, the main economic spheres of activity here are tourism, fishing and agriculture, and in some places dairy and meat farming is also developed.

The influence of civilization was reflected in the traditions and original culture of the islanders. In some areas, you can still find huts made from palm leaves and tree branches. Local residents in this place observe the laws of their ancestors, who live without the slightest regard for the development of the surrounding world.

Interestingly, the industrial sector here is represented by the processing of grown vegetable and fruit crops, as well as the production of souvenirs. Material support from France is of great importance for the development of the community. The population is dominated by Chinese, Polynesians, with a small proportion of French-Polynesian mestizos and Europeans. Christianity is the main religion here.

French Polynesia on the world map

The islands of this region are of coral and volcanic origin. The highest point is the peak of Orojen, which rises almost 2240 meters above the Pacific surface. The windward slopes are replete with green, dense forests, which are combined with banana and coconut-banana plantations. At the same time, herbaceous vegetation mainly predominates on the leeward slopes.

In this place the fauna is not very diverse. It is represented mainly only by insects, birds and lizards. Much richer and brighter colors fill the expanses of coastal waters, home to amazing marine species that delight divers. The main advantage is the complete absence of poisonous species on land, and the ecology, which allows you to drink tap water.

general information

French Polynesia occupies an area of ​​about 4000 km². Holiday prices here are quite high - a week-long tour costs at least 50,000 rubles. The population is almost 290,000 people. The official language here is French, although local residents also speak Polynesian dialects. In famous tourist centers English is also very common at resorts. The national currency is the French Pacific franc. Time lags behind Moscow by 12 hours in summer, and by 13 in winter.

Excursion into history

Polynesian settlements began to appear on the lands of the archipelago at the very beginning of our era. In the first half of the 16th century, the islands were discovered by the famous navigator Fernando Magellan, who discovered the Tuamotu island group. France declared the main part of this region as a protectorate in 1842, including the Community Islands with the Marquesas Islands, Tahiti, the Tubuai and Tuamotu island groups. French Polynesia began to be called an overseas territory of the country in 1946, and 58 years later it was recognized by the community.

Climate

It has a predominantly trade wind tropical climate. In the north, subequatorial climate predominates, and in the south, humid subtropical climate predominates. During the rainy season (November - May) the heat stays around +30˚C, accompanied by strong humidity. At the same time, severe storms and tropical hurricanes are common. Summer and early autumn are more sunny, with the heat dropping by 10˚C, therefore this period is the most favorable time to visit the islands.

Customs regulations and visa

To experience absolutely all the pleasures of being on one of the most colorful and vibrant archipelagos of the Pacific Ocean, a visa is required. It can be issued at any French embassy, ​​indicating that you want to enter the overseas territories of the country. A simple Schengen visa is not suitable here. French Polynesia is a territory whose customs rules comply with the norms and requirements of French legislation.

How to get there?

Unfortunately, there are no flights from the CIS and Russia to the territory of this community. Therefore, travelers who are interested in French Polynesia have to take long flights with transfers in different cities of the world. The most common options are flights connecting in Los Angeles and Paris, and routes from New York to Tahiti Airport are also common. Travel time can sometimes take up to two days.

Transport

Air communication between the islands is well established. It connects about 30 land areas. The bus acts as overland public transport, but only where there are asphalt roads. There is a ferry service between the nearest islands, and you can always rent a boat or speedboat. The same applies to movement on land: instead of various floating devices, bicycles and cars are rented.

Resorts and cities

The archipelagos of Polynesia have the following names: Gambier, Societies, Austral (Austral), Tuamotu and Marquesas.

The Society Archipelago has volcanic traces of origin. It looks appropriate: brownish-grayish outlines of the peaks of extinct volcanoes, overgrown with lush vegetation in the lower part. In addition, lush thickets of bushes are its usual appearance.

High mountains of palm trees rise above the tropical forests, together with the low-lying green part they create the basis of the border that forms the crown. An amazingly beautiful lagoon splashes in its center. The royal “crown” includes the following islands of French Polynesia: Tahiti, Bora Bora, Huanghin and Moorea.

Tahiti is the main island of the archipelago. Here is the city of Papete, which is visited by many tourists who are interested in French Polynesia. The airport, beautiful skyscrapers, a lot of comfortable villas and luxury hotels, many museums, several temples in the mountains and the city hall of stunning architecture are the main “civilized” attractions of this island.

Among the “uncivilized” ones are the peak of the Orohena volcano, the lake in its crater, gorges, and a magnificent valley. Let us add that one cape of the island is the point at which captains Blythe, Bougainville and Cook moored more than once about 300 years ago. This way an idea of ​​the place will be formed.

Two more dazzlingly beautiful islands: Moorea, shaped like a heart, and Bora Bora (French Polynesia) are the pearls of these places. They are bright, clean, have excellent beaches of crumbly white sand with fancy corals scattered across the warm surface of their waters.

The lagoons of the islands with the amazing beauty of the coastline are a rare, unforgettable sight. In this place you can admire views of the underwater world, feed tame sharks, and watch huge leopard stingrays.

French Polynesia is structured into five administrative divisions, which include the Leeward and Windward Islands, the Tubuai island group, the Marquesas Islands, and the Tuamotu-Gambier archipelago. At the same time, Mehetia, Maiao, Tetiaroa, Tahiti and Moorea belong to the Windward Islands, and Manuae, Bora Bora, Maupiti, Manupihaa, Raiatea, Motu One, Huahina, Tupai and Tahaa - to the Leeward.

Each of the divisions has its own administrative center, while the capital of the entire community is the city of Papeete, located on the island of Tahiti. It is the main transport hub and seaport of French Polynesia. 26,000 people live here. In addition, it is one of the main tourist meccas of this community, with a scattering of natural and architectural attractions.

Among the resorts we can highlight the islands of Bora Bora and Tahiti, famous for their service, luxurious recreational conditions, fabulous landscapes, and amazing diving. The Tuamotu archipelago and the Marquesas Islands are extremely popular among wealthy tourists, with many atolls named after Russian explorers, scientists and military personnel.

In addition to deep-sea diving and sunbathing, people come here to fish, travel across the Pacific Ocean, engage in water sports, or swim in clear, clear water far from civilization. Today, it has become very popular among young wealthy couples to celebrate their wedding here. There are surprisingly many options for spending time on the islands, and each of them will give you a huge amount of pleasant impressions.

A holiday here is an opportunity to experience exactly what paradise is. The proximity of water, the beauty of the island landscapes, the complete absence of fuss and noise and a wonderful, friendly atmosphere make it possible to fully enjoy unity with nature, listening, without interruption, to the singing of exotic birds that serenely stroll along the sandy coast, washed by the clear waters of the ocean.

Kitchen

It is worth noting that local eateries, cafes and restaurants serve a variety of dishes: both masterpieces of French cuisine and delights from other countries. There is almost everything here, from exotic fish to simple French fries, therefore, no one is destined to die of hunger or lack of desired delicacies. There is an extremely rich selection of rare fruits and national drinks, as well as wines. Thanks to all this, French Polynesia is popular.

Hotels here are very diverse. In some elite establishments, the meal is accompanied by dancing, performed by representatives of the local dance school.

Purchases

On the shelves of souvenir shops and shops in resorts and islands of French Polynesia you can often see mother of pearl, shell jewelry and other handicrafts. In addition, famous French wines, fruit liqueurs, various valuable figurines and keychains, pearls, and souvenirs that relate to the characteristics of a particular resort are popular.

French Polynesia is one of those rare exotic countries that only the most seasoned travelers visit. The reason for this is the country’s remoteness from civilization, as well as the high price level due to high-quality service and services. French Polynesia is often mistakenly called Tahiti after the name of its largest island. French Polynesia will surprise everyone with its unique wild beauty of tropical nature, combined with developed infrastructure and some of the best hotels and restaurants in the world. Elite recreation is what you will find here.

Geography of French Polynesia

French Polynesia, with an area of ​​just 4,167 km², is administered by France, is located in the center of the Pacific Ocean and consists of more than 130 islands. In the north, east and south it borders with neutral Pacific waters, in the northwest with Kiribati, in the west with the maritime zone of the Cook Islands, in the southeast with the maritime zone of Pitcairn. The country includes archipelagos such as the Marquesas Islands, Tuamotu Islands, Society Islands, Tubuai Islands, and the Gambier Islands. The highest point in French Polynesia is Mount Orohena on the island of Tahiti (the largest island in French Polynesia) with a height of 2241 meters.

The area of ​​French Polynesia is 4167 km. sq.

Population

The national currency is the French Pacific franc.

Official language – French

Visa to French Polynesia

French Polynesia has a special visa regime; a standard Schengen visa for traveling to France is not suitable for traveling here. Citizens of the Russian Federation will need to apply for a special visa from the Department of French Overseas Territories at the French Embassy called a “visa for travel to French overseas territories”.

Weather in French Polynesia

The islands of French Polynesia are characterized by a tropical, trade wind climate, but in the northern part of the country a subequatorial climate predominates, and in the south a subtropical climate prevails. French Polynesia, like other tropical countries, is characterized by the presence of only two seasons: wet and hot, as well as dry and cool. The wet period lasts from November to May, characterized by temperatures of 27 - 32 °C and 92% humidity. At this time, heavy downpours, hurricanes and storms are common on the islands, the peak of which occurs in January. The dry season from June to October brings temperatures down to 18 - 21 °C. The average annual temperature is 22-26 °C. Throughout the year, French Polynesia is perfect for relaxation; precipitation here is not prolonged and short-term, and the heat is easily tolerated due to the constant sea breeze.

Sights of French Polynesia

It is quite difficult to single out specific attractions in French Polynesia, since the entire country with all 130 more unique islands is such. The center of cultural and social life in French Polynesia is the capital, the city of Papeete on the island of Tahiti. This is the most developed and Europeanized city in the country. There is noisy traffic, shops, restaurants, vibrant markets and banks. In Papeete there is the central cultural square of To'ata, the Pearl Museum, the Vaima Center shopping area, Bruat Avenue with all government institutions and Tarahoi Square with the statue of Pouwanaa Oopa. Also worth a visit are the Harrison Smith Botanical Garden, the Museum of Tahiti and Other Islands, and the Mataoa Garden , Ocean Museum "Lagunarium", Pearl Museum, Musée du Couquilage, Pearl Center "Taiti Pearl Center" with an incredible collection of rare black pearls. Despite its modest size, the most famous place in the capital among tourists is the Gauguin Museum. Otherwise, French Polynesia is an incredible, pure, untouched nature. Like the world-famous islands of Bora Bora, the volcanic island of Moorea impresses with its beauty and is one of the most picturesque in the world. By the way, this place is also important from a historical point of view; it was here that Captain Cook first landed on the lands of French Polynesia. Tetiaroa is the only coral island among its neighbors, also known as Marlon Brando Island after its former owner. The most ancient archaeological center of French Polynesia is located on the island of Hua Hin, where the remains of the ancient Maui civilization dating back to 800-900 were discovered. n. e. In the group of Leeward Islands, the most interesting to visit are Bora Bora, Tahaa, Raiatea, Huahine, Maupiti and the uninhabited Mopelia, Tupai, Scilly and Bellingshausen Island. In the Marquesas archipelago it is worth visiting Nuku Hiva, Hiva Oa, Ua Pou, Ua Huka and Tauata, in the Tuamotu archipelago - Rangiroa, Tikehau, Manihi and Fakarava.

National cuisine of Tahiti

The cuisine of French Polynesia is a mixture of European and Asian cuisine. The basis, of course, is the freshest seafood, which is prepared here in a wide variety of ways. Many local fish and shellfish don't even have Russian name, their diversity is so great. Bananas, yams and sage, breadfruit, are also common ingredients in local cuisine. Especially popular dishes in French Polynesia are la tahitienne fish marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk, as well as pork with pasta, Chinese cabbage and beans called chinese ma'a tinito.

Transport

Transport within French Polynesia, as well as ways to get here, is not an easy question, since the country is extremely remote from the rest of the world. The journey here is quite long with one or two transfers and takes more than a day. The most popular routes are Moscow-Tokyo-Tahiti, Moscow-Paris-Los Angeles-Tahiti and Moscow-New York-Tahiti. Please note that a transit visa is required when flying through the USA and France. The main transport within French Polynesia and between its islands is by plane. The country's 35 major islands are connected by a dense route network of the local airline Air Tahiti. The country allows the use of personal airplanes and helicopters, which is often used by VIP tourists. The country also has a public transport system, Le Truck, which is represented mainly by water transport and only a little by land. Some of the islands have roads and buses, but for most it is something incredibly remote. To travel around a particular island, hitchhiking and bicycle/car rental are also common among tourists.

Currency exchange in Tahiti

In French Polynesia, dollars and euros are used; euros are most often accepted at a more favorable rate than dollars. You can exchange other foreign currencies at exchange offices at the airport, banks and hotels, but the rate may vary greatly between them. All tourist establishments such as hotels and restaurants accept bank cards. Banks on the major islands are open Monday to Friday (sometimes Saturday) from 7:45 to 15:30.

Electricity

Mains voltage 220V, frequency 50Hz. Most often in hotels there are French type E sockets with two round pins in the plug and one in the socket, less often - type A with two flat vertical pins.

Religion

More than half of the local residents of French Polynesia, namely 54% of the population, are Protestants, 30% are Catholics, 6% are atheists. The rest adhere to other beliefs, including paganism. Among Protestants there are supporters of the Protestant Evangelical Church, Jehovah's Witnesses and the Assemblies of God.

Safety

The crime rate on the islands of French Polynesia is very low and the country is safe for foreign travelers. The foreigner here is more of a deity than an object for committing a crime. Be that as it may, following simple security measures will not hurt: leave large sums of money, passports and other valuables in the safe. Thefts are rare here, but they do occur.

Health

Despite the exotic location, health care in French Polynesia is excellent; there is no need for special vaccinations before traveling. The tap water here is quite drinkable, and high hygiene measures are observed everywhere. To ensure that your holiday is not overshadowed by anything, take care of sun protection products, and also buy shoes with thick soles, as corals and sea urchins tend to seriously injure inept foreigners. Be careful when eating raw seafood, which is so popular in French Polynesia. An unprepared body can receive an excess of raw protein, resulting in biointoxication.

Russian Consulate in French Polynesia

There is no representation of the Russian Federation in French Polynesia.
Embassy of the Russian Federation in France
40-50, Boulevard Lannes, 75116 Paris
Phone: (8-10-331) 45-04-0550, 45-03-4020, 45-04-4030
Fax: (8-10-331) 45-04-1765
Email: [email protected]

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September 5-7, 13-16, 2011

Many people come here to sunbathe, watch the sunset while having a wonderful dinner. Let's not disturb them.

Many people come here to lie on the beach, enjoy some fine dining and watch the sunset. We won't disturb them.

Locals prefer fermented fish sauce.

The locals prefer fermented fish sauce.

Tahiti

Tahiti

On the world map Map

Trash can at the airport.

A trash can at the airport.

Urns all over the island.

Trash cans around the island.

Trash can mom and trash can daughter.

A mother-and-daughter dumpster pair.

A large roadside trash container that looks like the head of a stupid transformer.

A large roadside dumpster, which looks like the head of a dim-witted Transformer.

Architecture.

Shy graffiti. The walls are painted with such naive drawings with a thin marker, like in school notebooks.

Some timid graffiti. The naïve wall drawings in thin marker look like something you’d see in a school notebook.

All buses (a school bus in the picture) are decorated with ornaments around the perimeter.

All the buses (the one in the photo is a school bus) are decorated with ornaments around the perimeter.

A depressed ornament on a concrete flowerbed-fence.

A recessed ornament on a concrete flowerbed/fence.

And the lampposts are decorated with ornaments, only in volume.

The lampposts are also decorated with ornaments, only relief ones.

Traffic light.

A traffic light.

Almost all city objects are protected by metal pipes from accidentally crashing cars. The lamp post is protected.

Almost all municipal objects have metal pipe barriers to protect them from accidental car collisions. The lamppost is protected.

People here like to decorate the pillars with a palm branch tied around the trunk in a braid. The electrical cabinet is protected.

People here like to decorate poles by braiding palm leaves around them. The little electrical box is protected.

The hydrant is protected.

The fire hydrant is protected.

Manhole cover.

A manhole cover.

New payphones in the roots.

New payphones amidst the roots.

Old payphone.

An old payphone.

Road signs. The sign of the 3rd zone of Papeete (the capital of Tahiti) is decorated with two gardenia buds, from which you cannot hide on the island. They are given out on planes, at airports, in hotels, etc. They are a local symbol, like orchid beads in Hawaii.

Traffic signs. The sign for Zone 3 in Papeete (the capital of Tahiti) is embellished with two gardenia buds. Gardenias follow you everywhere around the island—they’re handed out on the plane, at the airport, in hotels, and so on. It’s the local symbol, sort of like the lei (orchid garland) in Hawaii.

One of the best ways To get an idea of ​​road signs in the country, look at an advertisement for a driving school. As you can see, there is nothing special here.

One of the best ways to get an idea of ​​what traffic signs in any given country look like is to glance at a driving school ad. As we can see, there’s nothing particularly special here.

You can travel around the perimeter of the island in a couple of hours. There's nothing special there.

It only takes a couple of hours to drive around the perimeter of the island. There’s nothing particularly special there.

Except for our old friend - the kilometer pole with a red top, a sign of French colonial influence (as in Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, Tunisia).

Unless you count our old friend—the kilometer marker with a red top, a sign of French colonial influence (like in Laos, Vietnam, as well as Cambodia, Tunisia).

The only unusual detail in French Polynesia is the markings (solid with four squares periodically appearing on the right and left), allowing overtaking of slow-moving vehicles in an area where overtaking is prohibited.

There’s only one unusual detail in French Polynesia: traffic lane markings (solid lines with occasional sets of four squares on the right and left) which allow passing slow vehicles on sections of the road where passing is otherwise forbidden.

Regular mailbox.

A regular post box.

A rare model with the logo of the local post office and the initials of the Republic of France.

A rare model with the logo of the local post and the initials of the French Republic.

A very rare model - for unrealistic volumes of mail.

An extremely rare model—for monstrous volumes of mail.

Showcase of a cafe for locals.

The window display of a café for locals.

Street trade of pre-cut watermelons and melons.

A street stand with sliced ​​watermelons and melons for sale.

Moorea

Moorea

This is an island across the road from Tahiti. A ferry with unwashed windows takes half an hour to get there.

Moorea is this island across the street from Tahiti. A ferry with dirty windows will get you there in half an hour.

Many people come here to swim.

Many take the ferry here to go swimming.

Many people are swimming.

Many people swim.

Or ride on typical Polynesian boats.

Or paddle around in traditional Polynesian boats.

Or sit in thatched bungalows overlooking the water.

Or sit in bungalows with straw roofs, looking out on the water.

The hydrant two meters from the ocean looks interesting. Like, if there is a fire, you can’t put it out with salt water, or what?

The fire hydrant located two meters away from the ocean is amusing. What, they can’t use the salt water if they need to put out a fire?

In one place they painted a bike path.

There’s a bike path on one of the roads.

The sign reports the number of dead and wounded.

A sign informs you how many people died and were injured this year.

Concrete signs in the shape of an island are placed around the island. Unfortunately, they didn’t think of depicting where this sign was installed.

Concrete signs in the shape of the island can be found all around the island. Too bad no one thought of putting a “You Are Here” indicator on each of them.

Eggs in packages of two and three dozen are sold wrapped in film.

Eggs are sold in packs of 20 or 30, wrapped in cellophane.

Vegetables are signed directly on the peel.

Vegetable prices are marked right on their skin.

There is nothing interesting on the island.

There’s nothing interesting on the island.

Well, except for the cabinets with electric meters standing by the road in front of every house. Although it’s not worth going here for them alone. Such a village is on the outskirts of French Polynesia. Luggage is taken out at the airport and placed on a special inclined wooden two-story table.

A backwater village on the outskirts of French Polynesia. Passengers’ luggage is carried into the airport and placed on a special two-tier slanted wooden table.

The dog is dozing in a telephone booth.

A dog sleeps inside a phone booth.

Schoolchildren rush home with fresh French rolls.

Schoolchildren rush home with fresh-baked French baguettes.

At anchor is the cargo and passenger ship Claymore II, which should take me to Pitcairn Island. Nothing else in the world would have forced me to be here.

This is where I’m supposed to board the MV Claymore II, which will take me to Pitcairn Island. There's no earthly reason I would end up here otherwise.

For passengers on the ship, cabins without portholes or ventilation. Passengers have at their disposal a towel that has not been washed since the ship was laid down at the shipyard. It smells so bad that if you wipe yourself with it, you will never be able to wash it off with anything. A round-trip ticket for Claymore II costs approximately four thousand dollars.

The ship's passenger cabins have no portholes or ventilation. Each passenger is provided with a towel which looks like it hasn’t been washed since the ship’s maiden voyage. The smell coming from the towel is so bad that, were you to use it, no amount of soap would be able to wash it off ever again. A round-trip voyage aboard the Claymore II costs approximately four thousand dollars.

Moscow tour operator AS-travel received the Travel.ru Star award in the category The best travel agency operating in Russia across Oceania(including French Polynesia) according to the results of an all-Russian vote among tourists held in 2011.

All you have to do is say: “ Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora..."- and a turquoise lagoon framed by coconut palms will open before your eyes, and the mysterious smiles of Tahitian girls from the paintings will flash Paul Gauguin. Open Polynesia, its hospitality, culture, flowers, scents, songs and dances, white and sandy beaches, Tahitian friendliness and French " art de vivre"(the art of enjoying life), water sports and amazing mountain excursions! You are transported from island to island, like in a fairy tale from one wonderland to another. These are the colors of paradise landscapes and the sweet smell of tropical flowers, these are unforgettable adventures on the other side of the Earth.

Geographical location of the Tahiti Islands

French Polynesia is part of Polynesia proper, which in turn is part of the global region of Oceania. Possessions France in the eastern part Pacific Ocean make up 118 luxurious islands. The islands are united into 5 archipelagos: Societies, Tuamotu, Marquesas Islands, Tubuai, Gambier.

IN archipelago of the Society the most famous islands: Tahiti, Moorea, Raiatea, Tahaa, Huahine.

Tiare ( Tiare) – the name of a plant whose flowers are considered a symbol French Polynesia. According to the legend of local residents, the tiare is a sacred flower, loved by the gods. Captain Cook and captain Bly The aborigines also encountered tiares. Jack London wore a tiara crown. AND Paul Gauguin, And Somerset Maugham, And Pierce Brosnan, And Jack Nicholson. This is not surprising: all tourists wear tiaras with delight. It's surprising that despite this, residents still wear them Tahiti. When you see this, you understand: they don’t lead you by the nose, they don’t put exotic things on your ears, they really share life with you. And tourists are put garlands of tiaras around their necks right at the airport. To each! Tiare Tahiti, Tahitian gardenia, - main flower Polynesia. Obviously: you are already in heaven.

From 5 to 8 December on Tahiti a holiday is taking place that has already become traditional. It is based on the women's movement Tahiti, which originated back in 1962. The first flower festival was timed to coincide with the opening of the first nurseries in the country. Since 1985 feminists Tahiti They hold the Tiare festival every year. Today it is a kind of floristry competition in which both amateurs and professionals take part. Competitions are held in two categories – small composition and large. In the second category, the area of ​​the flower garden must be at least 50 square meters! Naturally, an indispensable condition for the competition is the use of the Tiare flower in the compositions. Recently, foreign companies specializing in floristry and local travel agencies have drawn attention to the festival. The latter is due to the fact that the flower festival invariably attracts tourists, many of whom claim that they have never witnessed such a colorful and cheerful holiday before.

It is interesting that Tahitian men usually wear a bud behind their ear, while women wear an open flower. A bud is something brutal, a flower is feminine and delicate. If a pregnant Tahitian woman sees herself plucking a tiare flower from a bush in a dream, it means that she will give birth to a girl. And if it’s a bud, then, on the contrary, it’s a boy. And if, not in a dream, but in reality, a man walks around the city with a blooming flower behind his ear, this leads to corresponding thoughts. So, in order to avoid any kind of ambiguity, check at what stage of opening the tiara with which you decide to decorate your ear is. A tiara can also tell you something about your temperament and marital status. If, for example, you wear it behind your right ear, it means you are alone and ready for adventure. If you are on the left, you are married or engaged, and any coquetry is inappropriate. And if you have a flower behind both ears, it means you are married and despite this, you are ready for any adventure. Finally, a tiara flower in the hair of a young girl hints to all interested parties that this girl has matured. And if she is pretty, then it’s better not to hesitate, but to start by asking her some international nonsense. For example: “Girl, what time is it?”

By the way, until the missionaries introduced the aborigines to the dial and hands, they recognized the time by the flowers of the tiare: the buds open between twelve and two o'clock in the afternoon. And more exact time there was no need for them yet.

Population of Tahiti

In French Polynesia Home to about 270 thousand people. The ethnic composition is very diverse - Polynesians make up up to 78% of the population, ethnic French - 10% (6% live here permanently, and 4% permanently live in the metropolis and come to the islands to work), as well as Chinese and people from other countries of the Southeast Asia - up to 12%. The population is mainly very young - up to 43% of local residents are under 20 years of age.

Features of French Polynesia

Time: the difference with Moscow is minus 13 hours in winter and minus 14 hours in summer. When on Tahiti Sunday noon at Moscow Monday 01:00 in winter and 02:00 in summer.

Cloth: IN Polynesia locals and tourists dress simply. Bring beach and summer cotton clothing. For sea travel on a ship, clothes made of linen and wool are suitable, as it can be cool in the evening.

Languages: French and Tahitian are the official languages. English is also widely spoken.

Currency: The official currency is the Pacific Franc (CFP): 1 Euro ~ 150 CFP. Currency can be exchanged at the airport, at a bank or in hotels. Credit cards can be used in hotels, restaurants, shops and other tourist establishments.

Transport: The main way to travel between islands is by plane. The local airline company Air Tahiti connects 35 islands with regular flights. There are airports on all the main islands. Between Tahiti And Moorea It is convenient to travel on large passenger catamarans and boats. You can also sail from one island to another on a high-speed catamaran.

Telephone: International telephone service is available on all islands. From a hotel room, 1 minute of conversation with Russia costs an average of 8 euros.

Safety: To enter the country, you do not need to do any vaccinations. The healthcare system is at a high European level. There are no poisonous animals or insects in Polynesia. Tap water in hotels and restaurants is safe to drink.

Car rent: from 55 to 100 euros depending on the class of car.

Banks: open from 7:45 to 15:30 from Monday to Friday, some are also open on Saturday mornings. US dollars and euros are accepted almost everywhere.

Shopping: Shops are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 to 11:30 and from 14:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 8:30 to 11:30.

Present: Monoi body butter, shell crafts, fruit liqueurs, black pearls.

Jpg" width="192" height="138" border="0" align="LEFT" style="margin-right:1em; alt=">Nowhere in the world are there such large, such black and such perfect pearls as in Tahiti and its islands. They are incredibly beautiful. And incredibly expensive. Tourists are taken to Pearl Farms - pearl plantations, they explain in detail why even a small round pea costs about $200, how to avoid running into fake pearls and how to store real ones so that your great-great-granddaughter can flaunt them in two hundred years. In short, the point is this: only here, in the lagoons off the islands of French Polynesia, do they live. unique oysters called Margarita, whose inside body is black, and not milky-gray-white. It is not suitable for food or snacks with wine, but it does an excellent job of giving an ordinary white pearl a shade that car manufacturers call “the color of wet asphalt.” The Japanese, of course, tried to breed such oysters in their country, too. But it didn’t work out: it turned out that these Margaritas are terrible patriots, and they don’t live in other seas.

Just 50 years ago, black pearls grew randomly in lagoons. That is, it could grow, or it could not, depending on whether the wave carried a lucky grain of sand into the oyster, which was destined to become a treasure. But then one wise Chinese named Robert Wang arrived in Tahiti and put this matter on stream: they began to carefully place a white mother-of-pearl core into each suitable Margarita, observe its transformations, provide it with unhindered access to the black body... And so on for 6 -8 years. Of course, this is manual, painstaking and hard work. Of course, at first it seemed to Robert Wang that the carefree Polynesians could not cope with it. Of course, he made sure that his compatriots, who were much more diligent, tinkered with the oysters. And of course, he became fabulously rich. Now this process is led by his son, Bruno Wang. In Papeete, the capital of Tahiti, there is a Black Pearl Museum where Bruno can sometimes be found. He wears moccasins on bare feet and gives no indication that he is a multi-billionaire.

Tips: are not part of Polynesian culture. A smile or nice words will bring more pleasure than leaving a coin.

Customs formalities: Duty-free transportation of 2 liters of alcoholic beverages and 200 cigarettes is allowed.

Required telephone numbers:

• Tahiti Tourist Office: 505-700
• Bora Bora Tourist Office: 677-636, 677-031, 677-236
• Moorea Tourist Office: 562-909
• Hua Hin Island Tourism Office: 688-634
• Single emergency phone number: 15 or 423-456
• Police: 17

Sights of French Polynesia

Flights to French Polynesia

1. airline flight Air France, on the route Moscow - Paris - Los Angeles - Tahiti (Papeete) takes more than a day (US visa required)
2. airline flight Aeroflot" or " JAL"(Japan Airlines) + connecting flight Tokyo - Tahiti airlines" Air Tahiti Nui"with a possible overnight stay in Tokyo on arrival or departure (a Japanese transit visa is not required for a stay of up to 72 hours).

Visa information

The visa is issued at the French embassy, ​​at the Department of Overseas Territories of France. The regular French Schengen visa is not valid.

Consular fee - 45 euros. The minimum processing time is 15 days.

Photo galleries

• Hotel Bora Bora Lagoon Resort & Spa (French Polynesia)
• Hotel Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa (French Polynesia)
• Hotel InterContinental Le Moana Beach Bora Bora (French Polynesia)
• InterContinental Resort & Spa Moorea (French Polynesia)
• InterContinental Resort and Thalasso Spa Hotel, Bora Bora (French Polynesia)

French Polynesia consists of five main groups of islands, arranged in a chain from northwest to southeast in the South Pacific Ocean. For France, this huge space with an area of ​​2.5 million km2 is of great strategic importance - carrying out atomic explosions on atolls helped the country create a nuclear shield and maintain influence as one of the leading states in the world. There are a total of 118 islands and atolls, 25 of which are uninhabited. The main and most populous island is Tahiti, belonging to the Society Islands group. The majority of the population of French Polynesia lives here and the capital is the city of Papeete.

Story

Geography

French Polynesia covers 2.5 million km² of surface area - an area comparable to the area of ​​the European Union. But the total land area (all islands and atolls) occupies only about 4167 km², which roughly corresponds to the area of ​​the island of Mallorca. 118 islands and atolls are grouped into 5 archipelagos (4 volcanic and 1 coral). Tahiti is the largest and most populous island. The largest number of tourists arrive in Tahiti, Bora Bora and Moorea. The highest point is Mount Orohena in Tahiti. The landscape consists of a mixture of high islands and low reef islands. Below is a list of 5 island groups. The most popular tourists are the first three groups: the Society Islands, the Tuamotu Atolls and the Marquesas Islands."

Island groups

Society Islands. The Society Islands are administratively divided into Windward and Leeward. The Society Islands are the most populated archipelago of French Polynesia (227,807 inhabitants according to the August 2007 census). They have high mountains of volcanic origin, are covered with tropical forest, surrounded by coral reefs and a lagoon. Among the Leeward Islands, Bora Bora is the most famous, with Moorea and Tahiti being the most prominent in the Windward Islands. The name of the archipelago was given by the British navigator James Cook. In his diary, Cook wrote that he named them the Society Islands because “they were adjacent to each other.” In fact, many believe that the famous navigator named them after the Royal Society (British Academy of Sciences), which sponsored the first British scientific exploration of the islands.

Tuamotu Islands(sometimes called the "Strand of Tahitian Pearls" because the vast majority of French Polynesia's black pearls are produced here). The Tuamotu archipelago includes 78 low-lying islands and atolls, only a few of which have navigation channels into their central lagoons. One of them (Rangiroa) is the largest coral atoll in French Polynesia. The Tuamotu form the world's largest network of atolls in the Pacific Ocean, comparable to the size of Western Europe. Tuamotu means "distant islands".

Marquesas Islands(sometimes called "Mysterious Islands"). This group of 15 high-mountain islands lies near the equator. Only 6 islands are inhabited. The population of the Marquesas Islands according to the August 2007 census was 8,632 inhabitants.

Gambier Islands. This group consists of 15 islands in the far eastern corner of French Polynesia, adjacent to the Tuamotu archipelago. They are considered a separate group of islands from the Tuamotu because the culture and language of their inhabitants are significantly different. In addition, the Tuamotu consists of several chains of coral atolls, and the Gambier Islands are of volcanic origin.

Austral Islands(often called Tubuai). The last inhabited islands in the South Pacific, virtually untouched by modern tourism. Geographically, they consist of two separate archipelagos, namely 5 islands in the northwest (Tubuai, Maria, Rimatara, Rurutu, Raivavae), and 2 islands of the Bass group in the southeast (the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri). Most of the islands of the Austral group are still uninhabited, and the rest are sparsely populated (population is about 6,300 inhabitants).

Administrative division

Administratively, French Polynesia is divided into five administrative regions (subdivisions administratives), which are divided into 48 communes.

The administrative areas are:

Windward Islands (part of the Society Islands);
Leeward Islands (also part of the Society Islands);
Marquesas Islands
Austral Islands
Tuamotu and Gambier Islands

Economy

Since 1962, when France stationed its military in the region, French Polynesia has changed the structure of its economy. While subsistence agricultural production had previously dominated, after 1962 a significant proportion of the workforce was employed in the service sector for the French military. At the same time, tourism and the cultivation of black pearls began to actively develop. Since France stopped nuclear testing in 1996, the military component of the community's economy has declined sharply.

At the moment, French Polynesia has a moderately developed economy, dependent on imported goods, raw materials and financial assistance from France. French Polynesia's GDP in 2006 was US$5.65 billion, the fifth largest economy in Oceania after Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and New Caledonia. GDP per capita in the same year 2006 was US$21,999, lower than Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia, but higher than all other independent island states of Oceania. The community benefits from an agreement with France, channeling funds to create new businesses and improve social services.

French Polynesia's main export product is their famous black pearls, which accounted for 55% of exports (by value) in 2008. Tourism and fishing are important sources of foreign exchange earnings. The small-scale production sector is primarily associated with the processing of agricultural products, namely vanilla, coconuts, vegetables and fruits. Cultured pearls, coconuts, and vanilla are exported, while fuel, food and industrial equipment are imported.

Demographics

The total population of French Polynesia as of January 1, 2010 was 267,000 inhabitants, up from 259,596 in August 2007. In the 1988 census (the last census to include a question on nationality), 66.5% of the people were ethnically unmixed Polynesian, 7.1% ethnically mixed Polynesian, 11.9% European (mostly French), 9.3% mixed French and of Polynesian origin, the so-called Demis (literally meaning "half"), and 4.7% were East Asians (mostly Chinese).

The population of French Polynesia is concentrated in urban and suburban areas of the northern part of the island of Tahiti. Here is the capital Papeete, which, together with its suburbs, has 131,695 inhabitants (2007 census). According to the 2007 census, 68.6% of the population of French Polynesia lived on the island of Tahiti. Only two other islands, Moorea and Raiatea, have populations of more than ten thousand inhabitants; many islands are uninhabited or have less than one thousand inhabitants.

Europeans, Demis and Chinese are mainly concentrated on the island of Tahiti (especially in Papeete and its suburbs), where their proportion of the population is much higher than on the other islands of French Polynesia as a whole. Despite a long history of ethnic mixing, ethnic tensions have been rising in recent years, with politicians using xenophobic slogans.

Language

French is the only official language of French Polynesia. The law of April 12, 1996 states that "French is the official language of Tahiti, other Polynesian languages ​​may be used." According to the 2007 census, 68.5% of residents aged 15 years or older spoke French at home, 29.9% spoke one of the Polynesian languages ​​(mostly Tahitian), 1.0% spoke Chinese and 0.6% in other languages.

On the more isolated islands, older residents continue to speak local Polynesian languages, which differ from island to island. But the trend is that Tahitian is gradually replacing local languages.

Political institutions

French Polynesia is governed by the French Constitution of 1958. Since 1984, it has been an overseas territory of France. In 2004, France changed its status from an overseas territory to an overseas community, giving French Polynesia more autonomy in local affairs. Having internal autonomy, it remains part of the French Republic. Defense and law enforcement activities are carried out by the gendarmerie and the French army (ground forces, navy, air force). France is responsible for foreign policy, immigration, justice, higher education and scientific research, communications and finance. The Government of French Polynesia is responsible for territorial administration, primary and secondary education, taxation, prices and foreign trade. Residents of the islands take part in electing their representatives to the central authorities of France: two deputies to the French National Assembly and one senator to the French Senate.

Executive power. The head of the autonomy is the President of France, represented by the High Commissioner of the Republic (Haut-Commissaire de la République en Polynésie française). The executive branch (government) is headed by the President of French Polynesia. The President is elected by the deputies of the Assembly of French Polynesia for a five-year term, the term of elections is not limited. The President submits a list of government members to the Assembly for approval to confirm them as ministers.

Legislative branch. The legislative branch is represented by the Assembly of French Polynesia. (Assemblée de la Polynésie française) - a unicameral legislative body. The Assembly consists of 57 deputies elected for five-year terms based on proportional representation in several constituencies. Since the elections of March 6, 2001, the parity law requires that the number of women be equal to the number of men.

Judicial branch. Court of Appeal (Cour d'Appel); Court of First Instance (Tribunal de Premiere Instance); Court of Administrative Law (Tribunal Administratif).

Symbolism

French Polynesia uses the French and its own flag, with a red outrigger (Polynesian canoe) on yellow and blue background. The outrigger symbolizes Polynesian maritime traditions. Other cultural symbols are associated with the fertility of the earth (breadfruit), the beauty of the islands is represented by the tiare flower and black pearls, and the culture of the indigenous people is symbolized by the tiki figure in the form of the mythological ancestor of the Polynesians.

Culture

Ethnic relations

Tensions between the majority Polynesian ethnic group and the European and Chinese communities stem primarily from economic disparities between these groups and cultural dissimilarities. There have been many intermarriages between ethnic groups, and European and Chinese families are gradually assimilating into the local culture. Violence between members of these ethnic groups is rare.

Currency

The official currency is the French Pacific franc. It is pegged to the euro and fluctuates against the US dollar.
For currency exchange, banks are easily found in the city center of Papeete, in the terminals of Fa'aa International Airport and in the most frequently visited islands. These banks are Banque Socredo (www.socredo.pf), Banque de Tahiti (www.banque-tahiti.pf), and Banque de Polynésie (www.sg-bdp.pf). Hotels also exchange US dollars, but at a less favorable exchange rate.

On the main islands, MasterCard and Visa are generally accepted in most hotels, restaurants and shops. On less visited islands credit cards are not always accepted for payment. The atolls and most islands of the Austral and Gambier group do not provide banking services. Remember that everything is very expensive in French Polynesia. So, if you visit the islands, take a lot of money, it will not be superfluous here.

Climate

French Polynesia has a warm tropical climate. Temperatures are warm throughout the year, sometimes too hot in summer, but rarely reach above +35 ° C. Trade winds from the southeast cool the air.

The tropical rainy season lasts from December to February. French Polynesia is located in the southern hemisphere, so "summer" lasts from November to February and "winter" from April to September. However, there are no significant differences in temperature. Temperatures between April and September are only slightly cooler than between November and February.

Typhoons sometimes reach French Polynesia from late January to mid-March. But they generally pose no threat to the islands because their epicenter is far to the south.

Hotels

About fifty international class hotels are located on twelve islands of the three main archipelagos - Marquesas, Society and Tuamotu. The islands of Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora account for more than 80% of all hotels; the less visited islands do not have famous and expensive hotels. A number of well-known international hotel companies are represented in French Polynesia: InterContinental (www.ichotelsgroup.com), Sofitel (www.sofitel.com), Novotel (www.novotel.com), Meridien (www.starwoodhotels.com), Sheraton (www .starwoodhotels.com), Starwood (www.starwoodhotels.com), Orient Express (www.orient-express.com), Club Med (www.clubmed.com) and Radisson (www.radisson.com). They compete with two local hotel chains - Maitai (www.hotelmaitai.com) and South Pacific Management (www.spmhotels.com). Air-conditioned thatch huts jut out into the turquoise lagoon, breakfast is served from a canoe, and glass floors allow you to see the fish without leaving your room - the kind of idyll you might witness in a hotel room in remote French Polynesia.

Most resorts in French Polynesia are aimed at romantic holidays for newlyweds and couples. Accordingly, most resorts have bungalows designed for two people. For tourists who prefer simplicity and local flavor, family hotels are the ideal type of accommodation. Below is a list of some of the best family resorts and hotels:

Food and drink

French Polynesia continues to use traditional South Pacific cooking methods in traditional earthen ovens. They dig a hole in the ground, line it with stones, then light an open fire and heat the stones. The food wrapped in banana leaves is placed in a heated earthen oven and covered with earth. The baking process takes several hours. In French Polynesia, such a stove is called ahimaa.

The most popular dishes are raw fish a la tahitienne, marinated in lemon juice and coconut milk. A very popular Chinese dish ma"a tinito (is a mixture of pork, beans, Chinese cabbage and pasta.)

During family celebrations and celebrations, a huge tamara "a Tahiti is prepared, a dish consisting of suckling pig, fish, breadfruit, yam and banana, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed in an earthen oven.

On the streets, along the roads, you can often find cheap mobile eateries - les roulottes.

Being a French territory, wine is consumed everywhere here. Since it's a tropical island, it's easy to find a variety of fruit juices, from pineapple to coconut. The pineapple juice from Moorea is considered the most delicious. Orange juice is popular; oranges grow along the entire coast. If you're a beer fan, it's worth giving it a try and taking a few bottles of Hinano home with you. And remember that tipping is not customary on the islands of French Polynesia.

How to get there

Airplane is the main option for traveling to remote French Polynesia. Faaa International Airport (Aéroport International Tahiti Faa"a, www.tahiti-aeroport.pf) on the island of Tahiti is the only international airport in French Polynesia. It is located on the outskirts of the city of Papeete, approximately 5 km west of the capital. Tax on departures at the airport they don't charge.

The main domestic air carrier of French Polynesia is Air Tahiti (www.airtahiti.com). Charter flights are provided by Air Archipel (www.air-archipels.com).

A popular and cheaper form of communication between the islands is ferries. Catamarans and ferries operate between Tahiti and Moorea several times a day. Frequency varies depending on the destination, from three times a week to the Society Islands to once a month to Mangareva Island.

The cruise ship Paul Gauguin (www.pgcruises.com) currently operates between the islands, making regular 7-day cruises between the Society Islands, with occasional sailings to the Tuamotu, Marquesas and Cook Islands. The small yacht Bora Bora Cruises (www.bora-bora-cruises.com) regularly sails between the islands of Bora Bora, Tahaa, Raiatea and Huahine.

There are also ships that carry passengers and cargo at the same time. An example of such a vessel is the Aranui III (www.aranui.com). Designed for 200 passengers, it is also a cargo ship. Aranui III sails between Tahiti and the Marquesas Islands. The modern ship has comfortable cabins, a swimming pool, a fitness center, bars, a restaurant, a shop, and an entertainment program for passengers.