Vaitape

Vaitape is the largest city of Bora Bora Island in French Polynesia. It has a population of 4,927, about half of the island's population which is about 9,000. It is located about northwest of Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia. The main language of Vaitape is French, although 20 percent of the population speaks Tahitian.

History

The area was first settled by early Polynesians who arrived on canoes during the 4th century. The early Polynesians built grass huts and hunted fish with spears and sticks. The Tahitians lost the Franco-Tahitian War and the Leeward Islands War making Tahiti and all the other islands belong to France. During the California Gold Rush, many people left Vaitape in search for gold. By the 1900s the population of the area had grown significantly, and during World War II it served as a military supply base, and it had an oil depot, an airstrip, and a seaplane base.

Geography

Vaitape is located on the western side of the main island of Bora Bora. It has a view of the western part of the Bora Bora lagoon. It is about east of Sydney, Australia. It also has a view of Bora Bora's tallest mountain, Mount Otemanu. It is surrounded with islets marking the end of the Bora Bora lagoon. The city is located about above mean sea level. Mount Pahia is another major mountain close to Vaitape.

Climate

Bora Bora has a tropical monsoon climate. Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the year, with hot days and warm nights. The dry season lasts from June to October yet precipitation is still observed throughout this period.

Most rainfall occurs during the summer months (November to April) and is accompanied by high humidity, although clear days are not unknown in mid-January.

Transportation

Bora Bora Airport is an airport outside Vaitape on Motu Mute on the northern part of Bora Bora. Small boats leave the mainland and go across the Bora Bora Lagoon. Several ferries leave Bora Bora and sail to Tahiti and Moorea. Some of these ferries are the Aremeti ferry and the Moorea ferry. Uturoa has a few ferries coming into Vaitape.

Air

Bora Bora Airport serves the island of Bora Bora. The airport serves as a stopover en route for other destinations in French Polynesia. Although the airport is regularly used by private jets bringing guests to the island, Air Tahiti is the only regular airline available to the general public. If residents want to make an international flight, they would have to take Air Tahiti to Faa'a International Airport, which is located in Faaa, Tahiti, and is the only airport in French Polynesia that serves international flights.

Sea

Bora Bora is one of the main stops for cruise ships departing from Papeete.
Smaller boats can be rented for tours to discover Bora Bora's islets and go snorkelling among the coral reef.
Small ferries transport passengers from the airport to Vaitape and luxury hotels around the island.
A ferry departs several times a week from Vaitape for the islands of Tahaa and Raiatea.

Road

Bora Bora's main road runs through Vaitape. The maximum speed limit is 60km/h in limited stretches of the island.
There is no freeway in Bora Bora.

Economy

There are a few supermarkets located in the city which sell common items such as fish, fruit, vegetables, bread, canned foods, general grocery items but also tools, toys, light furniture and white goods.
Fruits include mangoes, breadfruits, pineapples, papayas and various sorts of bananas.

References

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Populated places in the Society Islands
Bora Bora
4th-century establishments