Located in the Pacific Ocean, Bora Bora is a small island that is 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, most of whom are of Polynesian descent (World Atlas). The Encyclopedia Britannica web page states: “It consists of two volcanic peaks that rise to 2,385 feet (727 meters) and 2,169 feet (661 meters) and drop sharply to the lagoon. Bora-Bora is one of the tourist centers of French Polynesia." Although a popular tourist destination, Bora Bora has more to offer than meets the eye, its deep roots dating back before the early 18th century, filling the island with rich history, unique social and political events, and literature. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Although unknown by many 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 original inhabitants of this 7-million-year-old island arrived from Tonga and, interestingly, there is no "B" in the local Tahitian language, so its real name is Pora Pora, meaning “firstborn.” Tales of Bora Bora lore suggest that there is a meaning behind its name that the god Taaroa fished the islands out of the sea Bora Bora was the first after Raiatea. Many believe the pronunciation "Bora Bora" began when Captain Cook arrived on the island. A web page titled Maitai Sharing Island Warmth writes: "Historians Pauline Cash Sunday 9 April 2017 at 9pm. :50:26 PM Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time 08: 6d: 41: b8: d5: 0a 6 believe that Bora Bora was uninhabited until the 9th century, until the arrival of the Polynesian travelers who first crossed the Teavanui pass, the only point passing through the immense coral reef that surrounds the island". However, Bora Bora was not seen by European explorers until the 18th century. The Encyclopedia Britannica web page states: "Bora-Bora was sighted by Dutch admiral Jacob Roggeveen in 1722." This is the first documented European sighting of Bora Bora. After the Roggeveen sighting, Captain James Cook of Great Britain 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 to Bora Bora in the late 1700s with the hope of converting the natives to Christianity. The Tahiti Nui Travel website writes: “The first Missionaries approached Point Venus in the Mahina district of Tahiti on March 5, 1797 aboard the Duff.” Similar to the Missionaries of old Hawaii, the Missionaries often ignored all of 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 gained control over French Polynesia. The Sea Semester web page states: “French Polynesia, a vast range of high islands and atolls consisting of the Society Islands, Tuamotus, Marquesas, Gambier, and Southern Islands, was made a protectorate in 1842, conquered in 1847, and officially annexed in 1880. remains in French hands today and has become largely dependent on metropolitan France for economic stability.” Pauline Cash Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 9:50:26 pm Hawaii-Aleutian Standard Time 08:6d:41:b8:d5: 0a 7 According to BBC News, in the 1940s, French Polynesia gained the status of “country.