Located in the Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora is a small island part of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, just northwest of Tahiti. According to a 2007 census, Bora Bora is home to approximately 8,800 people, with the majority of its inhabitants being of Polynesian origin (World Atlas). The Encyclopedia Britannica webpage states: “It is formed by two volcanic peaks rising 2,385 feet (727 meters) and 2,169 feet (661 meters) and falling sharply toward the lagoon. Bora-Bora is one of the centers of tourism in French Polynesia. Although a popular tourist destination, Bora Bora has more to offer than meets the eye, its deep roots go back further than the early 18th century, filling the island with rich history, events unique social and political and literature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay Although many are unknown today, Bora Bora offers an interesting history unique to its island. Before the arrival of Europeans in French Polynesia, Bora Bora had its own history and culture. According to the World Atlas web page, "the island's ancient name, Vava'u, suggests that the first inhabitants of this 7 million year old island arrived from Tonga and, interestingly, there are no "B" in the local Tahitian language, so his real name is Pora Pora, meaning "firstborn". Accounts of Bora Bora lore suggest that its name has meaning. The god Taaroa is believed to have fished the islands from the sea, Bora Bora being the first after Raiatea. Many believe that the pronunciation of "Bora Bora" began when Captain Cook arrived on the island. A web page titled Maitai Sharing Island Warmth writes: "Pauline Cash historians Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 9:50:26 PM Hawaiian-Aleutian Standard Time 08:6d:41:b8:d5:0a6 believe that Bora Bora was uninhabited until the 9th century, until the arrival of Polynesian travelers who crossed for the first time the Teavanui Pass, the only crossing point in the immense coral reef which surrounds the island. . However, Bora Bora was not discovered by European explorers until the 18th century. The Encyclopedia Britannica webpage states that "Bora-Bora was sighted by the Dutch admiral Jacob Roggeveen in 1722." This is the first documented European sighting of Bora Bora. After Roggeveen's sighting, British Captain James Cook was the first documented European to land on the shores of Bora Bora. The Lonely Planet website suggests: “James Cook sighted Bora Bora in 1769.” Protestant missionaries began venturing into Bora Bora in the late 1700s in hopes of converting the natives to Christianity. The Tahiti Nui Travel website writes: “The first Missionaries landed at Pointe Vénus in the Mahina district of Tahiti, on March 5, 1797 aboard the Duff.” Similar to the missionaries of old Hawaii, the missionaries were often unaware of all the religious and cultural practices of Bora Bora. For example, the One Bora Bora website states: "Missionaries destroyed many of Bora Bora's marae (stone temples), encouraging locals to reject their beliefs and convert to Christianity." In the 19th century, France took control of French Polynesia. The Sea Semester webpage states: "French Polynesia, a vast collection of high islands and atolls consisting of the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier and Austral Islands, became a protectorate in 1842, conquered in 1847 and officially annexed in 1880. remains today in French hands and has become largely dependent on mainland France for its economic stability. Pauline Cash Sunday April 9, 2017 at 9:50 p.m...