Faʻaʻā
Faʻaʻā (also Faaa or Faaʻā; IPA: [fa.ʔa.ˈʔaː]) is a commune in the suburbs of Papeʻete in French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Ocean. Faʻaʻā is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. At the 2022 census Faʻaʻā had a population of 29,828, making it the most populous commune on Tahiti and in French Polynesia. Faʻaʻā has many mountains inland that can reach 1,500 m (5,000 ft). Mount Marau is an extinct volcano in the inland limits and can be seen from nearby Moʻorea. The area of Faʻaʻā is 9 m (30 ft) above mean sea level on average.
Faʻaʻā | |
|---|---|
Top: Faʻaʻā coastline; Middle: Tahiti Airport Hotel, Faa'a International Airport; Bottom: Marae Taumata, Faʻaʻā-Nuutania Prison | |
Location of the commune (in red) within the Windward Islands | |
Location of Faʻaʻā | |
| Coordinates: 17°33′04″S 149°35′51″W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Subdivision | Windward Islands |
| Government | |
| • Mayor (2020–2026) | Oscar Temaru |
| Area 1 | 34.2 km2 (13.2 sq mi) |
| Population (2022) | 29,828 |
| • Density | 870/km2 (2,300/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−10:00 |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98715 /98704 |
| Elevation | 0–1,493 m (0–4,898 ft) (avg. 7 m or 23 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Faʻaʻā has a long history. Captain James Cook landed on Faʻaʻā when he came to Tahiti on his expedition. The commune is the political stronghold of independence leader Oscar Temaru who has served three times as president.