Mo'orea

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Morea.
Mo'orea
DSC00042 Polynésia Mooréa Island Motu Moéa Lagoon and transportation Boat (8076082190).jpg
View of Mo'orea
Karta FP Societe isl.PNG
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°W / -17.533; -149.833Coordinates: 17°32′S 149°50′W / 17.533°S 149.833°W / -17.533; -149.833
ArchipelagoSociety Islands
Area134 km2 (52 sq mi)
Highest elevation1,207 m (3960 ft)
Highest pointMont Tohive'a[1]
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
Administrative subdivisionWindward Islands
CommuneMo'orea-Mai'ao
Capital city'Āfareaitu
Largest settlementPao Pao–Maharepa
(4,244 inhabitants)
Demographics
Population16,191[2] (Aug. 2007 census)
Pop. density121/km2 (313/sq mi)
Official nameLagon de Moorea
Designated15 September 2008
Reference no.1834[3]

Mo'orea (English: /ˌmoʊ.oʊˈreɪ.ɑː/ or /ˈmoʊ.oʊreɪ/;[4] Tahitian: /moʔore(ʔ)a/), also spelled Moorea, is a volcanic island in French Polynesia. It is one of the Windward Islands, a group that is part of the Society Islands, 17 kilometres (11 mi) northwest of Tahiti. The name comes from the Tahitian word Mo'ore'a, meaning "yellow lizard": Mo'o = lizard ; Re'a (from re'are'a) = yellow.[5] An older name for the island is 'Aimeho, sometimes spelled 'Aimeo or 'Eimeo (among other spellings that were used by early visitors before Tahitian spelling was standardized). Early Western colonists and voyagers also referred to Mo'orea as York Island or Santo Domingo.[6]

History[]

Marae Ti'i-rua

Prehistory[]

According to recent archaeological evidence, the Society Islands were probably settled from Samoa and Tonga around 200 AD.[7]

Nine tribal principalities emerged in the enclosed valleys, which in turn were subdivided into individual clans. The stratified society was characterized by a hierarchical leadership whose elite combined both political and religious power. The leading families of Moorea remained linked by marriage and kinship for centuries with those of the neighboring island of Tahiti. These connections led to important alliances, but at other times were also the source of bloody conflicts.[8]

Intensive research on the Opunohu Valley, which continues to this day, initiated by Kenneth P. Emory in the 1920s and continued in the 1960s by archaeologist Roger C. Green of the University of Auckland, provides an exemplary picture of the evolution of Moorean society. The interaction between increasing population density and human modification of the environment resulted in major changes in the form of society.

The so-called Pre-Atiro'o phase, prior to A.D. 1000, is characterized by extensive clearing and cultivation of the valley slopes, which by the end of the period had led to erosion and the formation of alluvial soils. Society was not yet stratified, but was relatively homogeneous.[9]

In the Atiro'o period (A.D. 1000-1650), artificial cultivation terraces were built on the slopes and simple stone buildings, such as the Marae Tapauruuru. The remains of rectangular houses (fare haupape) and those with elongated oval floor plans (fare pote'e), reserved for the power elite, indicate a strictly stratified and hierarchical form of society.[10]

The later Marama period (A.D. 1650-1788) is marked by the conquest of the Opunohu Valley by the chiefs (ariki) of the Marama tribe, originally settled on the coast, who succeeded in uniting all the other clans in the valley under their rule. In addition to a further increase in population, this phase also saw a lively construction activity of representative cult buildings - large marae in the style of a step pyramid. Towards the end of this period, the Opunohu valley became a refuge for the Ariki who resisted European influence.[7]

Discovery and European influence[]

The first European to sight the island was Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, in 1606.[11] The first European settlers arrived during the 18th century. The first Europeans to arrive on the island were the Englishmen Samuel Wallis and James Cook. Captain James Cook first landed on Tahiti, where he planned the 1769 Transit of Venus observed from Tahiti and Mo'orea. At Mo'orea, where Ta'aroa was chief, Cook first landed in 'Ōpūnohu Bay, Cook's Bay was later named in his honor. Spanish sailor Domingo de Bonechea visited it in 1774 and named it Santo Domingo.[6][12]

The island was among those visited by the United States Exploring Expedition on its tour of the South Pacific in 1839.[13]

Charles Darwin found inspiration for his theory regarding the formation of coral atolls when looking down upon Mo'orea while standing on a peak on Tahiti. He described it as a "picture in a frame", referring to the barrier reef encircling the island.[14]

Don the Beachcomber lived here briefly in the late 1920s. His houseboat was destroyed by tropical cyclones after he moved it from Waikiki after 1947.[14]

On October 7, 1967, construction was completed on the Mo'orea Airport, which opened the following month.[15]

Geography[]

Mont Routui, Mo’orea

The island was formed as a volcano 1.5 to 2.5 million years ago, the result of the Society hotspot in the mantle under the oceanic plate that formed the whole of the Society Archipelago.[1] It is theorized that the current bays were formerly river basins that filled during the Holocene searise.

Mo'orea is about 16 km (10 miles) across. There are two small, nearly symmetrical bays on the north shore. The one to the west is called 'Ōpūnohu Bay. The main surrounding communes of the bay are in the east and Papetō'ai to the west. The one to the east is Cook's Bay, also called Pao Pao Bay since the largest commune of Mo'orea is at the bottom of the bay. The other communes are Piha'ena to the west and busy Maharepa to the east. The highest point is Mount Tohivea, near the center of Mo'orea. It dominates the vista from the two bays and can be seen from Tahiti. There are also hiking trails in the mountains. Vai'are Bay is another small inlet, smaller than the two main bays, on the east shore. The main village is located just south of the bay.

Geology[]

Moorea is an atoll whose main island consists mainly of igneous rocks. The island, like neighboring Tahiti, formed as part of the "Society Chain" from a hot spot on the Pacific Plate and is between 1.5 and 2 million years old.10 The enclosed reef surrounds the entire island, but has several navigable passages. The reef is relatively close to the island, so Moorea has formed only a narrow lagoon.

Climate[]

Moorea is located in the Earth's tropical belt. The climate is tropical-warm and very humid, which favors the lush vegetation of the island. The average temperature ranges between 28 and 30 °C, with little difference between months. The rainiest months are from December to February, the (winter) months from July to September are drier. There is a constant wind that moderates temperatures. However, an occasional cyclone cannot be ruled out. In the 1982/83 season, there were a series of cyclones in the Society Islands that also caused considerable property damage in Moorea.

Demographics[]

The island had a population of 14,226 inhabitants in the 2002 census which increased to 17,718 in 2017, distributed in the associated communes of Afareaitu, Haapiti, Paopao, Papetoai and Teavaro. Together with Maiao it forms the commune of Moorea-Maiao with 14,550 inhabitants by 2002.

The evolution of the number of inhabitants is known through population censuses conducted in the municipality since 1977. Since 2006, the INSEE publishes annually the legal populations of the municipalities, but the law on local democracy of February 27, 2002, in its articles dedicated to the population census, introduced population censuses every five years in New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Mayotte and the Wallis and Futuna islands, which was not the case before. For the municipality, the first comprehensive census under the new system was conducted in 2002; previous censuses took place in 1996, 1988, 1983, 1977 and 1971.

Bays[]

Sunset in Moorea

The most famous sight of Moorea is Cook's Bay,[16] where cruise ships regularly anchor. It is a deep blue bay that often has white sailing yachts and in the background the 830 m high Mount Mouaputa, this being probably the most photographed South Seas image. Next door is Opunohu Bay, where many exterior shots of the 1984 movie The Bounty were filmed.

The two bays are connected by a steep, winding scenic road. In the once densely populated Opunohu Valley, the indigenous Polynesians built numerous worship platforms (marae). The remains of the cult sites can be found everywhere off the road, some of them are signposted. Marae Titiroa is surrounded by banyan trees and was reconstructed in the late 1960s. A few hundred meters away is the multi-level Marae Ahu-o-Mahine, also well preserved. The trail continues to the Belvédère lookout overlooking Mount Rotui, Cook Bay and Opunohu Bay.[17]

Fauna and Flora[]

A Shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in Moorea

Due to the short distance to Tahiti and similarities in climate and soil structure, the flora of Moorea is comparable to that of Tahiti. The narrow coastal strip is dominated by anthropocorous plants, due to dense settlement and centuries of human use. However, significant remnants of the original plant communities have survived in the uninhabited and partially inaccessible interior of the island. The University of California at Berkeley maintains a permanent research institute on Moorea, Gump Station, to study tropical biodiversity and interactions between cultural processes and the ecosystem.

Mammals did not originally exist on the Society Islands; they were introduced exclusively by humans. Early Polynesian settlers brought dogs, pigs, chickens and the Pacific rat as food animals, while Europeans introduced goats, cows, sheep and horses. The indigenous land animals are only insects, land crabs, snails and lizards.

Especially of the Polynesian tree snails of the genus Partula, there were several endemics on Moorea, which were wiped out by the pink wolf snail during the 1970s to 1990s. Until the 1980s, the Moorea warbler (Acrocephalus longirostris), an endemic species, was recorded on the island. This songbird was closely related to the long-billed warbler (Acrocephalus caffer) of Tahiti and may have been displaced by the pastoral blackbird (Acridotheres tristis). Another bird species extinct on Moorea is the white-winged sandpiper (Prosobonia ellisi), of which only two specimens are known from 1777.

There are no animals on Moorea that are dangerous to humans. Sand fleas on the beach and mosquitoes, which are everywhere in the interior of the island, can be unpleasant. The marine fauna of the lagoon and coral reef is very rich in species. In addition to more than 500 species of coral fish, divers and snorkelers can observe numerous mollusks, echinoderms and crustaceans of the tropical sea. Behind the fringing reef are sharks, rays, swordfish and sea turtles. From July to October, humpback whales pass by the island. Whale and dolphin watching is offered to tourists.

Politics[]

The island is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Mo'orea-Mai'ao, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands. The main village is 'Āfareaitu.[18] The largest village is Pao Pao at the bottom of Cook's Bay. The second largest is Maharepa.[citation needed]

Economy[]

This island is one of the main tourist destinations in French Polynesia, where there are several luxury resorts that allow visitors to enjoy its magnificent and beautiful lagoon.

Transportation to this island is usually done from Tahiti by air transport in flights of about 5 minutes or through numerous ferries that move from the port of Papeete to Moorea. It is also possible to hire a private boat transport.

Bungalows of Hotel Hibiscus, Haurū Point, Mo'orea

The hotels of Moorea have the characteristic Bungalows in the water that make the delight of the newlyweds and numerous couples who move in search of one of the most romantic places in the Pacific.

The island combines numerous possibilities as it has a truly beautiful mountain scenery and water sports and activities, the most popular activity being visits to the lagoon to feed rays and sharks.

Tourism[]

Because of its stunning scenery and accessibility to Pape'ete, Mo'orea is visited by many western tourists who travel to French Polynesia. Especially popular as a honeymoon destination, Mo'orea can often be seen in advertisements in American wedding magazines. Arthur Frommer declared in Frommer's travel guide that he considered it the most beautiful island in the world.[19]

The main source of income is the tourism from the decade of 1960. An American company constructed in 1961 the Bali Shark Hotel, the first hotel of luxury of Moorea, in the north coast, near the town of Maharepa. Since then, the tourism has not stopped increasing, so that at the present time - according to affirm some guides of trips - Moorea has even more tourist hotels than Tahiti. The hotel complexes of all categories, with a predominance of expensive luxury hotels, are located mainly on the north and northwest coast. This is also where the most beautiful beaches of the island are located. From time to time, Moorea is visited by cruise ships.

Moorea, view from the sky (Motu Fareona)

In the opinion of many travelers, Moorea is the most beautiful island of Polynesia, so there is hardly a South Seas cruise that does not include Moorea in its program. The English explorer William Ellis already wrote about it in the 18th century:

"Imaio [Moorea] is undoubtedly the most attractive of the Society Islands. Its view is truly romantic, and it presents itself with a variety of scenery so delightful that it can scarcely be described."

— William Ellis

There are two waterfalls in Afareaitu,[20] although their volume decreases during the winter season when water is rather scarce.

On the west coast, a traditional Polynesian village, the Tiki Village, has been rebuilt to meet the needs of tourism. In addition to dance performances and demonstrations of Polynesian handicrafts, there are also souvenir stores.

Most of the beaches on the northwest coast belong to hotels and are not open to the public. On the northeast coast, in Temae, near the airfield, there is a public beach.

The race called the Moorea Marathon, held annually in February, is promoted by the tourism industry as the most beautiful in the world. Another international sporting event is the Aitoman Triathlon, held in October each year.

Pineapple farming in Moorea

Agriculture[]

Until the end of the 20th century, coffee was still grown on Moorea.[21] Due to falling coffee prices, this is no longer profitable and the cultivation of agricultural export crops has shifted to pineapple and the coveted Tahitian vanilla. Some small family farms continue to produce copra in the traditional way. Breadfruit, yams, taro, sweet potatoes, bananas, coconuts and other tropical and subtropical fruits are grown for home consumption and hotel kitchens. Fishing continues to play an important, though declining, role in the island's economy.

Research facilities[]

The University of California, Berkeley maintains the Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station on the west coast of Cook's Bay.[22] The Gump station is also home to the Mo'orea Coral Reef Long Term Ecological Research Site (MCR LTER), part of a network established by the National Science Foundation in 1980 to support research on long-term ecological phenomena. The Mo'orea Coral Reef LTER became the 26th site in the network in September 2004.

The French École pratique des hautes études (EPHE) and the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (National Centre for Scientific Research; CNRS) maintain a research station at the end of 'Ōpūnohu Bay. This Centre de Recherches Insulaires et Observatoire de l'Environnement (Centre for island research and environment observatory) is a research site for several international projects, including the monitoring of coral reefs throughout French Polynesia as well as the monitoring of the fish population on the Tīahurā transect of Mo'orea's reef.

Religion[]

Church of the Holy Family in Haapiti (Église de la Sainte-Famille)

The majority of the local population is affiliated with Christianity, a consequence of European colonization and the activity of missionary groups from both the Catholic Church and various Protestant groups. The Catholic Church controls 4 church buildings[23] and a religious center on the island, all under the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Papeete with headquarters on the island of Tahiti:

St. Joseph Church in Paopao (Église Saint Joseph),[24] Holy Family Church in Haapiti (Église de la Sainte-Famille), St. Michael Church in Papetoai (Église de Saint-Michel)[25] St. Patrick Church in Afareaitu (Église de Saint-Patrice)[26] and St. Francis Xavier Religious Center in Varari (Centre religieux Saint-François-Xavier).[27]

Near Afareaitu is Moorea's oldest worship platform, the Marae Umarea, built around 900 AD, with its enclosure of large coral slabs directly over the lagoon.

Transportation[]

Several ferries go to the Vai'are wharf in Mo'orea daily from Pape'ete, the Tahitian capital. Mo'orea's Tema'e Airport has connections to the international airport in Pape'ete and onward to other Society Islands such as Bora Bora.[citation needed] There is one road that goes around the island.

Popular culture[]

In the film Love Affair, a scene where Warren Beatty's character visits his aunt takes place on Mo'orea.

Jimmy Buffett has stated that Mo'orea is the inspiration for his song "".

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 257. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.
  2. ^ Institut Statistique de Polynésie Française (ISPF). "TABLEAU II Population des communes et communes associées de Polynésie française" (PDF) (in French). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2008-02-29. Retrieved 2007-12-02.
  3. ^ "Lagon de Moorea". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 25 April 2018.
  4. ^ "Mooréa". Merriam-Webster Dictionary. March 13, 2017.
  5. ^ Sven Wahlroos (2002). English–Tahitian, Tahitian–English Dictionary (First ed.). Honolulu: The Mā'ohi Heritage Press. p. 312, 545. ISBN 0-9627095-7-3.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Boenechea, Domingo de Descripción de las islas del Océano Pacífico reconocidas últimamente de ordne de S.M., por Don Domingo de Boenechea, capitan de fragata de la Real Armada, y comandante de la de S.M. nombrada Sta. María Magdalana (alias el Aguila), en los años de 1772 y 1774 Manuscript 476 of the Museo Naval de Madrid, fo. 94
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b Patrick V. Kirch: On the Road of the Wind - An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands Before European Contact, University of California Press, Berkeley-Los Angeles-London 2000
  8. ^ D. L. Oliver: Ancient Tahitian society, Honolulu 1975
  9. ^ Patrick V. Kirch: The evolution of the Polynesian chiefdom, Cambridge 1996
  10. ^ R. C. Green: Settelement patterns and complex society in the Windward Islands - Retrospective commentary from the Opunohu Valley, Moorea, in Michel Julien et al.: Mémoire de pierre, mémoire d'homme - Tradition et archéologie en Océanie, Paris 1996, S. 209–228
  11. ^ Rienzi, M.L. Historia de la Oceanía, o quinta parte del mundo Barcelona, 1845-1846, vII, p.267
  12. ^ Salmond, Anne (2010). Aphrodite's Island. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 38, 173. ISBN 9780520261143.
  13. ^ Stanton, William (1975). The Great United States Exploring Expedition. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 130. ISBN 0520025571.
  14. ^ Jump up to: a b "Moorea "The Majestic Island"". Fly Tahiti. Retrieved 25 July 2014.
  15. ^ La SETIL Aéroports exploitant des aéroports: Tahiit Faa'a, Bora Bora, Raiatea, Rangiroa, Huahine, Moorea
  16. ^ Stanley, David (2004-12-03). Moon Handbooks South Pacific. David Stanley. ISBN 978-1-56691-411-6.
  17. ^ Proceedings of the Fifth International Coral Reef Congress: French Polynesian coral reefs. Antenne Museum--EPHE. 1985. ISBN 978-2-905630-00-1.
  18. ^ [1] Archived March 2, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  19. ^ "Frommer's The Most Beautiful Islands". 2010-03-02. Retrieved 2010-03-02.
  20. ^ Stanley, David (1996). South Pacific Handbook. David Stanley. ISBN 978-1-56691-040-8.
  21. ^ Moorea Par Claude Robineau. Nouvelles Editions Latines.
  22. ^ Richard B. Gump South Pacific Research Station
  23. ^ "Churches in the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Papeete". www.gcatholic.org. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  24. ^ "Église de Saint-Joseph". GCatholic. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  25. ^ "Église de Saint-Michel". GCatholic. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  26. ^ "Église de Saint-Patrice". GCatholic. Retrieved 2021-08-24.
  27. ^ "HAAPITI PAR. STE FAMILLE". www.diocesedepapeete.com. Retrieved 2021-08-24.

External links[]

Moorea travel guide from Wikivoyage Media related to Moorea at Wikimedia Commons

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