BORA-BORA

volcanic island, les Sous le Vent (Leeward Group), Society Islands, French Polynesia, central South Pacific, about 165 miles (265 km) northwest of Tahiti. The mountainous island, some 6 miles (10 km) long and 2.5 miles (4 km) wide, has Mount Otemanu (Temanu; 2,385 feet ) and twin-peaked Mount Pahia (2,159 feet ) as its highest peaks. It is surrounded by coral reefs. On the west side of the main island is a large lagoon in which the smaller islands of Toopua and Toopuati protect a spacious harbour, popular with yachtsmen. Vaitape, the principal village and administrative centre, is on the west coast. The island's name in Tahitian is spelled Pora-Pora and means First Born. Bora-Bora was visited by Captain James Cook in 1777 and annexed by France in the late 19th century. During World War II the island had a U.S. naval base, and Motu Mute islet on the northwest side of Bora-Bora's reef was a U.S. air base; the airstrip is still in use. Tourism is Bora-Bora's primary industry. Chief products are copra, vanilla, and mother-of-pearl. Pop. (1988) 4,225.