Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, the South Pacific archipelago. This overseas collectivity of the French Republic is sometimes referred to as an overseas country. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous with surrounding coral reefs.
Tahiti was originally settled by Polynesians between 300 and 800 CE. They represent about 70% of the island's population with the rest made up of Europeans, Chinese and those of mixed heritage.
The island was part of the Kingdom of Tahiti until its annexation by France in 1880, when it was proclaimed a colony of France. It was not until 1946 that the indigenous Tahitians were legally authorised to be French citizens. French is the only official language although the Tahitian language (Reo Tahiti) is widely spoken.
