The people who live in Tahiti and her Islands
Polynesians welcome their visitors with songs and cheerful instrumental music along with scented flower leis; a custom that says a lot for their happy nature and their sense of hospitality! There are 219,521 inhabitants (1996 census), 86% of whom live in the Society Islands (74 % in the Windward Islands, mainly in Tahiti itself). 7% of the islanders live in Tuamotu-Gambier, 4 % in the Marquesas and 3% in the Austral Islands. The population is 83 % Polynesian (Ma'ohi including 20% of mixed origin), 12% Europeans (Popaa) and 5% Chinese (Tinito).