in Earth Science

Bora Bora Island

Bora Bora, a small island in the South Pacific, is famous for its stunning natural beauty and abundance of marine life. With its crystal-clear turquoise lagoon and vibrant coral reef, it offers a paradise for scuba diving enthusiasts.
The island is also a sought-after luxury resort destination, featuring overwater bungalows that provide a unique and breathtaking experience. At the heart of Bora Bora stands Mt. Otemanu, a dormant volcano that adds to the island’s majestic charm.
The Island lies in the Society Islands of French Polynesia which is a territory of France Pacific Ocean . French Polynesia has five groups of islands that consist of 118 islands. Bora Bora is a small, tropical island that belongs to the Leeward group. It is surrounded by a lagoon and a barrier reef.
This island is also home to an extinct volcano at its center. This volcano has two peaks called Mount Pahia and Mount Otemanu. Mount Otemanu is the highest point with an elevation of 727 meters.

Bora Bora Island Facts For Kids

  • French Polynesia paradise.
  • Known for luxury resorts.
  • Clear turquoise waters.
  • Stunning overwater bungalows.
  • Famous Mount Otemanu.
  • Great for snorkeling.
  • Pristine white sand beaches.
  • Rich marine life.
  • Lagoon surrounds the island.
  • Ideal honeymoon destination.

Name

Back in the day, this island was known as Pora pora mai te pora, which means “created by the gods” in the local Tahitian language. But let’s keep it simple and call it Pora Pora, meaning “first born.” Now, Tahitian is a funky language with its own set of sounds, so the spelling and pronunciation of the name change as it travels from one language to another.

And here’s a fun fact: Tahitian doesn’t care about the difference between [p] and [b], so the sound represented by ⟨p⟩ is somewhere in between. And to make things even more interesting, ⟨r⟩ sounds like a mix of [l] and [ɹ̠] in English. So, when the famous explorer Jacob Roggeveen stumbled upon this paradise, he and his crew decided to call it Bora Bora. And that name has stuck around ever since.

History

Back in the 3rd century, a group of Polynesian settlers decided to call this beautiful island home. Fast forward to 1722, when the legendary Jakob Roggeveen caught a glimpse of this paradise. But it wasn’t until 1769 that the one and only James Cook laid eyes on it, thanks to the help of a Tahitian navigator named Tupaia. Talk about a match made in heaven.

But wait, there’s more! The London Missionary Society swooped in like a boss in 1820 and decided to set up shop. They even went ahead and founded a Protestant church in 1890. Now that’s dedication, my friend. Bora Bora was living the independent kingdom life until 1888, when the French decided to annex the island and make it their own little colony. They even had the audacity to force the last queen, Teriimaevarua III, to step down from her throne. Talk about a power move.

So there you have it, my friend. A little history lesson on this incredible island. It’s got it all – settlers, explorers, missionaries, and even a touch of French flair. Bora Bora is a place where legends are made and dreams come true. And now, it’s time for you to experience it for yourself. So pack your bags, grab your sunscreen, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime. Bora Bora is waiting for you, and trust me, it’s worth every second.

 

Quick Facts

  • Bora Bora Island covers a total area of 29.3 square kilometers. It is one of the most secluded islands on the earth.
  • This island has many small islets including Motu Ahuna, Motu Mute, Motu Tapu, Toopuaiti, Motu Tafari etc.
  • The original Polynesian settlers gave this island a name ‘Pora Pora’ which means ‘first born’.
  • The average water temperature of the Bora Bora lagoon is about 28 degrees.
  • The islanders speak two languages French and Polynesian. English is also spoken in the areas frequented by tourists.
  • This island has three small villages, one post office, banks and a variety of small shops.
  • The main form of transport on the island is boats.
  • Bora Bora does not have any dangerous creatures like snakes or spiders. Tourists can enjoy the sublime environment.