The Tahitian language name Ra'iātea means bright sky. "Ulitea" is an obsolete transcription commonly used in the 19th century. See more

With a total area of 175 km , it is the second largest island of the Society archipelago, after Tahiti. Tahaa lies north of Raiatea, the two … See more

The island economy is mainly agricultural with exports of vanilla, pineapple and coconut. The plant Nono (or noni) (Morinda citrifolia) is also grown. Fa'aroa Valley is a large and … See more

Although the island has several hotels up to the luxury category, Raiatea is quieter and less developed in terms of tourism compared to Tahiti and Bora Bora. Raiatea is especially … See more

The Polynesian navigator Tupaia, who sailed with explorer James Cook, was born in Raiatea around 1725. Cook visited Raiatea in 1769 and again in 1773–1774. He named the island … See more

Politically, Raiatea today belongs to French Polynesia. The island is a French overseas territory and is therefore associated with the European Union. It is administered by a subdivision (Subdivision administrative des Îles Sous-le-Vent) of the High … See more

The island is surrounded by a 98 km road, while another road runs through the center. Since the 1980s, numerous infrastructure works have been carried out to improve the road network and open up the southern part of the island by building bridges, asphalting … See more