Interestingly Enough

Tahiti is the largest island in French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. Made famous by the Mutiny of the Bounty, its enchanting scenery, beautiful people and the vivid colours of French painter Paul Gauguin, French Polynesia has become one of the icons of the South Pacific. The island consists of two roughly round portions centered on volcanic mountains, connected by a short isthmus named after the small town of Taravao, which sits there. The northwestern part is known as Tahiti Nui, or big Tahiti, and the southeastern part, much smaller, is known as Tahiti Iti (small Tahiti) or Taiarapu. Whereas Tahiti Nui is quite heavily populated (especially around Papeete) and benefits from rather good infrastructure, such as roads and highways, Tahiti Iti has remained quite isolated, its southeastern half (Te Pari) being accessible only by boat or hiking.