French Polynesia island of Rekareka to the southeast of Tahiti. Over a century later, British explorer Samuel Wallis visited Tahiti in 1767. French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville also visited Tahiti in 1768, while British explorer James Cook arrived in 1769. In 1772, the Spanish Viceroy of Peru Don Manuel de Amat ordered a number of expeditions to Tahiti under the command of Domingo de Bonechea who was the first European to explore all of the main islands beyond Tahiti. A short-lived Spanish settlement was created in 1774, and for a time some maps bore the name "Isla de Amat" after Viceroy
Miss Tahiti of the Polynesian culture). The "Miss Dragon" will represent the French Territory at the annual Miss Chinese International beauty contest. Internationally, the winners of Miss Tahiti traditionally competed in Miss World until 2002. The first Miss Tahiti, Teura Bauwens, was sent to Miss World 1960. In 2009, a separate Miss French Polynesia contest was established for Miss World. Winners of Miss Tahiti were also sent to the Miss International pageant during the 1960s and 70s and to Miss Universe between 1978-1985. Nowadays, the runners-up of Miss Tahiti now participate in Miss International and Miss Earth pageants. ‡ Fuller has later