Faaa (see footnote for variant spelling) is a commune in the suburbs of Papeete in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Faaa is located on the island of Tahiti, in the administrative subdivision of the Windward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. In 1988 Faaa supplanted Papeete as the most populated commune of the urban area of Papeete and of French Polynesia. Despite having more inhabitants than Papeete, the urban area is named after Papeete and Faaa is considered a suburb of Papeete due to Papeete historical importance and status as administrative capital of French Polynesia.