|
I
n t r o d u c t i o n t o F r e n c h
P o l y n e s i a
| President: |
Gaston
Flosse (President of the French Polynesia Government) |
| Industries: |
Tourism
(most important), agriculture, cultured pearl farming, perfumes,
cosmetics and fishing. |
| Banks: |
Bank
of Hawaii & Banque de Tahiti (USA) - Societe Generale
& Banque de Polynesie (Fra) - Westpac Banking Corp. (Aus)
- Agence Francaise de Developpement & Banque Socredo (Fra). |
| Geography: |
121 islands and atolls divided up into 5 archipelagoes with
a total land area of 3,500 square Kms and 5,030,000 square
Kms of economic ocean area. 76 islands/atolls are inhabited
(63%) and 45 uninhabited (37%). |
| Population:
|
230,000
habitants, density = 65/square km. |
| Archipelagoes:
|
Society
Islands (Tahiti, Bora Bora, Moorea, etc), Marquesas Islands,
Tuamotu Islands (Tikehau, Rangiroa, etc), Austral Islands
and Gambier Islands. |
| Location: |
Between
Australia and América, in the central Pacific Ocean,
it is 6,200 Kms (3,900 miles) from Los Angeles, 5,700 Kms
(3,600 miles) from Sidney, 8,800 Kms (5,500 miles) from Tokio,
17,100 Kms (10,600 miles) from Paris and 7,500 Kms (4,700
miles) from Santiago de Chile. |
| Topography: |
2 types of islands: high islands (mountainous) and atolls
(low lying consisting of a coral fringe enclosing a lagoon). |
Climate: |
Tropical
oceanic, hot season (November to March) between 23°C and
27°C, cooler season (April to October) from 2°C to
6°C less.
1,500 mm/anual rainfall and 2,500 hours/year sunshine. |
| Time
differences: |
12:00
Sunday (noon) in Tahiti = 2 PM in Los Angeles = 8 AM Monday
in Sydney = 12 PM Frankfurt = 7 PM in Montevideo. |
| Languages:
|
Tahitian,
French, English (tourism and business) and some Chinese. |
| Currency:
|
French
Pacific Franc (Fcfp), Euro, Dólar.
110 Fcfp = 1 USD
Freedom of transfers and unlimited convertibility. |
| Tourism:
|
In
1999: 210,800 yearly tourists, 11,8 days length of stay in
3,407 disposable rooms with a bed occupancy of 67.3% (1997=54.1%,
1998=59.2%), 1,636,343 hotel bed nights.
In 2001: 227,658 yearly tourists. |
| Air
Traffic: |
In
2001: international traffic with 652,657 passengers, domestic
traffic with 1,500,593 passengers. |
| Wages:
|
Minimum
hourly wage 627,13 XPF ($5,26) and minimum monthly wage 105,985
XPF ($ 964). |
| Weekly
working hours: |
39
hours. |
| Employment: |
54,317
salaried employees including 2,343 in agriculture-fishing,
4,953 in industry, 4,522 in housing and 42,499 in services
(78%).
13,2% unemployment rate. |
| Political
Status: |
The Territory has autonomy within France and its structure
and development is laid out in Act of 6/9/84 amended by Act
of 12/4/96.
A High Commissioner represents the French State who is responsible
for national matters, the legal system, public order and administrative
oversight. All other matters are under control of the Territory
and responsibility is divided between the President' s office
(Gaston Flosse), the Council of Ministers (14 ministers) and
the Assembly (41 members).
There are two French parliament deputies, one senator and
one economic and social counselor, all french polynesian representatives
in metropolitan France. There is also a delegate in Paris
and another in Brussels. |
| Schools: |
Very
high education system with a nation-wide validity of the diplomas.
98% of the children go to school. |
| University:
|
University
of French Polynesia created in 1,987 with courses and diplomas
of Sciences, Law and Arts, with 1,685 students. |
| Research: |
Natural
eco-systems (oceanography, reefs, geology, agronomy), Medical
fields (ciguatera, dengue), Natural resources (pearl, fruits,
traditional oils, solar energy). |
| Tourism
expected: |
By
2003: 300,000 visitors p/year; by 2012: 620,000 visitors p/year.
|
| Hotel
objective: |
In
1999, there were 3,407 classified hotel rooms (61 rooms in
1965). Need 10,000 for year 2012, that means 6,593 more rooms,
470 per year. |
| Hotel
chains: |
8
international hotel chains:Le Meridien, Accor Sofitel, Club
Mediterranée, Southern Pacific, Orient-Express, Pearl
Beach, Beachcomber (Intercontinental) and Sheraton.
In total, there are 55 hotels spread out over 15 islands and
atolls.
They say: "The increased flow of tourists as well as
additional cruise ships based in Tahiti creates an urgent
need for building new hotels." |
|
Visitors
country origin:
|
43,90%
from North America, 22,17% from France, 14,47% rest of Europe,
8,92% from Asia, 7,08% from Oceania, 2,34% from South America,
0,70% from Central America and rest of 0,42% from other
countries.
Transport. of tourists: 9 international airlines, 41 airports.
Maritime transportation well developed in particular between
Moorea and Papeete with fast shuttle boats and ferryboats.
Most important islands:
TAHITI:
Capital city is Papeete, is the largest of all the islands,
120 Kms road circles the main island;
MOOREA: Capital city is Paopao, 18 Kms from Tahiti;
RAIATEA-TAHAA: Capital city is Uturoa, is
the second largest island, 192 Kms NW from Tahiti;
HUAHINE: Capital city is Fare, 176 Kms NW from Tahiti;
BORA BORA: Capital city is Vaitape, 240 Kms
NW from Tahiti and its lagoon is world-famous for its beauty,
29 kms partially paved road circles the island;
TUPAI: is an atoll lagoon, 13 kms NW from Bora Bora,
8x3 kms, discovered by James Cook in 1769;
RANGIROA: is an atooll lagoon, Capital city is Tiputa,
67x26 kms wide turquoise lagoon, 60 minutes flight from
Tahiti;
HAO: Tuamotu archipelago.
THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS: 12 islands,
1,400 kms NE from Tahiti, 8,000 people living, tourism development
has been kept to a slow pace in order not to disturb the
delicate ecological equilibrium;
HIVA OA - NUKU HIVA: The Keikanahui Nuku Hiva
Pearl Lodge costs 5,500,000 USD and has 20 air-aconditioned
wooden bungalows, opened in September 1999.
|
INTRODUCTION
TO TUAMOTU ARCHIPELAGO
The
Tuamotu Archipelago is comprised of 78 islands in total making
them the largest of the Polynesian archipelagoes. At the north
of Tahiti, these tropical and sparsely inhabited islands are in
fact atolls, their total sum comprising the world´s largest
chain of atolls. Covering huge distances of the South Pacific
sea, the total population of the 41 inhabited islands is only
aproximately 12,500 persons.
These islands are very interesting to visit for those who want
a true remote Pacific island experience. When travelers do journey
to these islands, they usually come to dive, to slow down the
pace of their lives, or to associate themselves with the local
businesses.
The
most important islands/atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago are:
Rangiroa, Manihi, TIKEHAU and Fakarava. Here tourists discover
the most exotic and beautiful islands in the world. They are delighted
with the color of lagoons, the richness of nature and the generosity
of the people.
All
of the islands of Polynesia can be the ultimate setting for romantic
gateways for newlyweds or those in newly found romances. Popular
ceremonies for romantic tourists include Tahitian weddings and
renewing wedding vows in a unique and interesting way.
What
to do: WATER SPORTS - World class Scuba diving and snorkeling
SAILING - Windsurfing and swimming
ADVENTURES - Deep Sea
ISLAND FUN - Eco Touring and Lagoon Excursions
RELAXATION - Motu Picnics, Sunset Cruises, Nightlife and Entertainment
SHOPPING, SERVICES & EATING - Includes Black Pearl Jewelers,
general merchandise, Restaurants, and Bars
RECREATION - Tennis, hiking, swimming, and volleyball
What to see: The Tuamotu islands are packed full of Polynesian
sights, smells and sounds
SIGHTSEEING - Ancient archeological sites, tours to pearl farms,
and visits to local markets
ATTRACTIONS - Black pearl farms
ARTS & CRAFTS - Artists, craftsmen, tattooists, and art galleries
INTRODUCTION TO TIKEHAU ATOLL
TIKEHAU,
one of the most beautiful atolls in the Tuamotu Archipelago and
in Polynesia, forms an unbroken circle 16 miles across, creating
a unique ecosystem with the highest preponderance of fish of all
the atolls.
TIKEHAU
is a true, classic atoll, a low tropical island created by coral
rising up above the sea level, and then gradually eroding away.
This oval shaped atoll consists of a series of hundreds flat motus
(little islands) surrounding a pristine, magnificent lagoon packed
with thriving and varied species of marine life. It is located
190 miles northwest of Tahiti, about 7 miles north of Rangiroa,
has a large pass and a series of islets, the largest of which
at the
south west of the atoll, 0,5 mile wide (0,8 km), called TUHERAHERA
Motu, is inhabited and is where the town and airport are.
This
motu or village, swathed in flowers, with aproximately 450 inhabitants,
also has two other villages: TUHEIAVA, a fishing area with many
"fish parks" that supply the markets of Tahiti, and
Maiaia that is a traditional copra (coconut) producer.
The
beauty and abundance the fauna of the TIKEHAU Atoll, account for
the popularity of scuba diving especially in the TUHEIAVA pass,
where the manta ray's dance alternates with the parade of barracudas,
tunas, multicolored coral fish, and the ubiquitous reef sharks.
TIKEHAU
is a world class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The
water of the lagoon is a diver's dream. The lagoon is clean and
clear in a turquoise color, and teeming with varied fish species.
On a visit in 1987, the Cousteau Society proclaimed the lagoon
of TIKEHAU to have the most concentrated populations of varied
fish species among all islands of Polynesia, to be the richest
atoll on the face of the earth and to possess some of the most
spectacular underwater scenery they have ever seen.
And
of course there are miles of beautiful pink sand beaches all around
the atoll, most of them deserted, where the tourists can enjoy
a picnic or just lie on the beach, feeling like Robinson Crusoe.
One
of the most beautiful atolls in Polynesia because of its tranquility,
Tikehau is also home to many bird colonies that have sought refuge
in the small islands scattered in the lagoon.
Because
of the development of the airport, TIKEHAU is easily accessible
to travelers and vacationers. The atoll is only at one hour flight
from Tahiti and 20 minutes from Rangiroa.
|
