What is the capital of French Polynesia?

The capital of French Polynesia is Papeete. It lies on Tahiti, the largest and most populous island in the territory, and serves as the administrative, political, commercial, and financial centre of French Polynesia.

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific, made up of 121 islands and atolls spread across five island groups. Papeete hosts the territorial government, the Assembly of French Polynesia, and the French High Commissioner's office. Its harbour and nearby Faa'a International Airport also make it the territory's main gateway.

The name Papeete is commonly translated as “water from a basket.” The city grew in importance during the nineteenth century, becoming the capital of Tahiti under the French protectorate established in 1842. It was heavily damaged when German warships shelled the city in September 1914 during World War I.

A common mix-up is confusing Papeete with Faa'a, which contains the international airport, or with Tahiti itself. Tahiti is the island; Papeete is the capital city located on it.