When was bora bora founded

This was often abbreviated meaning simply "first born". The Tahitian language and the English, French, or Dutch languages, each use a unique set of phonemes, so the spelling and pronunciation of the name changes as it passes from one language to another. Since Tahitian does not distinguish between the sounds [] and [], the sound represented by lies in between the two, while represents a sound not present in English similar in sound to [] and []. So could also be heard by English, French, or Dutch speakers as or.

When explorer Jacob Roggeveen first landed on the island, he and his crew adopted the name , which has stood ever since. The island was inhabited by Polynesian settlers around the 4th century The first European sighting was made by Jakob Roggeveen in James Cook sighted the island on 29 July , with the help of a Tahitian navigator, Tupaia.

The London Missionary Society arrived in and founded a Protestant church in Bora Bora was an independent kingdom until , when the French annexed the island as a colony and forced its last queen, Teriimaevarua III, to abdicate. During World War II, the United States chose Bora Bora as a South Pacific military supply base, and constructed an oil depot, an airstrip, a seaplane base, and defensive fortifications. The base, known as "Operation Bobcat", comprised nine ships, 20, tons of equipment, and nearly 7, soldiers.

At least eight 7-inch guns were operated by some members of the 13th Coast Artillery Regiment later renamed the th Coast Artillery Battalion.

The guns were set up at strategic points around the island to protect it against potential military attack. Eight of these guns remain in the area to this day. Their main purpose was to convert Polynesians into Christianity. You can see that the importance of the island only grew with the years.

Find out more about the captain here. The island was a perfect sanctuary for more than 6. Having said that, the islet Motu Mute was the main gateway for supplies to and from the island, making it a key location. For protection, 8 cannons were situated on different sides of the island.

Out of them all, only one remains today as a reminder of the battle. I offer you some of the most interesting and exciting facts you might or might not have heard of before. The meaning of flowers — In Bora Bora, everything has a meaning. That includes flowers, too. The beaches are full of young and beautiful people, so this a nice way to flirt a little and have some fun both with the natives and the tourists. The drawings on your skin are also observed as a sign of beauty.

Bora Bora is a place of relaxation but with many excursions and activities also available for people who wish to stay active and keep in shape, including: snorkeling, fishing, romantic excursions, outdoor activities, etc… Bora Bora, the Pearl of the Pacific, is truly a dream destination. Take a moment to visit our photo gallery to catch a glimpse of the magnificence of this island.

History of Bora Bora Historians believe that Bora Bora was uninhabited up until the ninth century, until the arrival of Polynesian voyagers who first crossed the Teavanui pass, the only point of passage in the immense barrier reef that surrounds the island.

They called the island Vavau, which means "first born. The island's original Polynesian name was Pora Pora, which means first born. Jacob Roggeveen was the first European to encounter the island in Roggeveen was a Dutch explorer who also discovered Easter Island of Chile. In a London Missionary Society founded a Protestant church, which began the settlement of European influence.

Many temples or Marae that were constructed by the early Polynesians were later destroyed by the English missionaries. Unfortunately very little of their remains can be found. You can visit the Marae Marotetini located on the point west of Farepiti wharf. There is a great stone there, about 50 meters long and three feet high that was restored in On your expedition cruise you will be able to see the remains of several cannons and protective structures placed around the island.

Bora Bora did not see combat during World War II and after its close several soldiers were enjoying their stay so much that they refused to leave. The airport built during World War II is still a main attraction of the island because of its historical significance and the great view it provides of the Lagoon.

Since the friendly occupation of the United States several countries have discovered that Bora Bora can be host to an amazing get away. The influx of Japanese and Western European tourists drowned out the culture of Bora Bora for a few decades. There has been a recent revival of Bora Bora's customs and rituals with hints of European and Japanese culture that makes for an atmosphere that is truly unique.

The group of islands belongs to French Polynesia and are a collectivity of France. The group of islands makes up an administrative division of French Polynesia. Tailored to You. Tell us your travel interests, dreams and desires, then let our experts tailor the perfect trip for you!

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