Papeete, city in French Polynesia (an overseas territory of France consisting of more than 100 islands), the territory's capital and principal port, located on the north-west coast of the island of Tahiti, in the South Pacific Ocean. It has an excellent harbour and a modern airport and is an important stop for Pacific shipping and aviation. Exports include copra, mother-of-pearl, and vanilla. Papeete is also the base for a thriving tourist industry. A port of call for whaling vessels by the early 19th century, Papeete was annexed by the French in 1880. Population (1988) 23,555.