History of Faaa

the ocean and saw Moorea which has also been settled. Some of the settlers on Tahiti paddled on their canoes and visited Moorea. By 1300, Faaa had about 1,000 residents. Faaa had many grass houses along the beach which some were so close to each other. Some of the residents left open spaces to let their kids play. Some of the early Tahitians made small fires from leaves to stay warm during winter. 1,300 residents have settled in Faaa during the 1330s. Most of the settlers moved their houses inland from the coastal beaches since they were flooded during cyclones and high tides. The Tahitians had moved into the small valleys close to Mount Orohena. Many of the early Polynesians had canoed to Moorea and back a bunch of times. They had been careful of the many stone fish in the water.

European contact

European settlers came during the 1500s. Captain James Cook was the first European settler. He first came to Moorea but then sailed to Tahiti. The Tahitians were all wondering who he was and why he was here. Then he left Tahiti and went exploring other islands in the Pacific Ocean. He later reached New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. Then Charles Darwin came on his expedition to Tahiti. During the late 1800s, Faaa had a population of 2,000 residents. Some of the residents went to California to go to the California Gold Rush to search for a new life. Faaa was part of the Kingdom of Tahiti until the annexation of 1880. Many buildings made from wood were along the coast of Faaa. Some small markets selling bananas and other fruits were busy. Residents from Moorea came to get fruits from the markets. Farms could be found in the mountains of Faaa.

Modern Faaa

During the early 1900s, Faaa's population had grown to 5,000. Many markets had more choices and even some toys for kids. Some bigger boats were made for the new Faaa Port. The