Geography & Geology of Tahiti

Located in the Southern Pacific Ocean, Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia. Created from volcano eruptions that occurred over 3 million years ago, this island sits in the Society Island Archipelago and forms part of the Windward Islands. Historically known as Otaheite, geographically Tahiti is split into 2 circles; the larger circle is known as Tahiti Nui, while the smaller circle is known as Tahiti Iti. Connected to each other by a thin narrow isthmus called the Plateau of Taravao, Tahiti Nui is said to be roughly 3 million years old, while Tahiti Iti is said to be just a million years.

Roughly 45 km long at its widest point, Tahiti has a total land area of 1,045 sq. km with a lush mountainous terrain. There are four peaks on the island, the tallest of which is Mount Orohena that stands at an impressive 7,618 feet above sea level. The summit of this mount is shrouded in a veil of wispy clouds most of the time. However, if you are lucky enough, on a clear day you can see the summit of this peak.

A majority of Tahiti’s population can be found living on Tahiti Nui or Big Tahiti, which has a more rugged terrain. Most of the people who here live here, do so on the western coast of the island. This is because Papeete, the capital of French Polynesia and the largest city of Tahiti sits on the north western coast. With a well developed infrastructure of road networks and highways, Tahiti Nui is a great place to explore.

On the other hand, Tahiti Iti or Small Tahiti is less mountainous and a more isolated area from the rest of the island. Accessible only by boat or hiking, Tahiti Iti is rich in natural beauty, with many quaint and picturesque coastal villages dotting the landscape. It is a great place to escape to from the vacationing crowds during peak tourist season.

Covered by lush rainforests, the interior areas of Tahiti are home to a wealth of beautiful trees, ferns and flowering plants with gushing waterfalls, flowing rivers and deep valleys. The coastal areas of Tahiti are dotted with tall palm trees and fields of tropical flowers. The main cash crops here are copra, vanilla, sugarcane and tropical fruits.

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