Nukutavake

Nukutavake

NASA picture of Nukutavake
Nukutavake
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 19°16′S 138°46′W / 19.267°S 138.767°W / -19.267; -138.767
Archipelago Tuamotus
Area 5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Length 5 km (3.1 mi)[1]
Width 1.3 km (0.81 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision Tuamotus
Commune Nukutavake
Largest settlement Tavananui
Demographics
Population 188[2] (2012)
Nukutavake
Coordinates: 19°17′11″S 138°47′49″W / 19.2863°S 138.797°W / -19.2863; -138.797Coordinates: 19°17′11″S 138°47′49″W / 19.2863°S 138.797°W / -19.2863; -138.797
Country France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Area 13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Population (2012)1 350
 • Density 27/km2 (70/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 98732 / 
1 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Nukutavake or Nukutuvake is an island in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It lies 1125 km from Tahiti. The closest land is small Pinaki Atoll, located 15 km to the southeast. Vairaatea Atoll lies 38 km to the west of Nukutavake.[3]

Nukutavake's length is 5 km and its width between 0.45 km and 1.3 km. Nukutuvake is not a typical Tuamotu atoll, but a single island. It was formed when its lagoon filled up with silt, in a similar manner as Fua Mulaku in the Maldives, which has a similar size and shape. There are shallow remains of the lagoon filled with marshy vegetation. The higher ground has many coconut palms.

Nukutavake has 188 inhabitants; Tavananui is the largest town. Many islanders have left the island in recent years, mainly to Tahiti, in search for work. There are a number of abandoned houses on the island. The people who remain live primarily on fish and copra production. There is a cyclone shelter on Nukutavake.

History

The first recorded European who arrived to Nukutavake was Englishman Samuel Wallis in 1767. He named it "Queen Charlotte Island" (Reine Charlotte). Wallis observed that the island was inhabited and well-stocked with coconut trees. But Captain Frederick Beechey, who visited Nukutavake in 1826, found it with no population and without the trees.[4]

Administration

Geographically this island is part of the East-central subgroup of the Tuamotus, which includes Ahunui, Amanu, Fangatau, Hao and Nukutavake.

The commune of Nukutavake includes four other islands apart from Nukutavake itself:

Island Population (2012 census) Area (km²) Area of lagoon (km²) Postcode
Nukutavake 188 5.5 0 98773
Vahitahi 105 2.5 7.4 98788
Vairaatea 57 3 13 98791
Pinaki 0 1.3 0.7 -
Akiaki 0 1.2 0 -
TOTAL 350 13 - -

Transport

The island is served by the Nukutavake Airport (IATA: NUK, ICAO: NTGW).

References

  1. ↑ "L'atoll de Nukutuvake" (in French). Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  2. ↑ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  3. ↑ "Nukutuvake". Oceandots.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2012. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  4. ↑ "POLYNESIAN VOYAGERS. THE MAORI AS A DEEP-SEA NAVIGATOR, EXPLORER, AND COLONIZER". Retrieved 18 July 2014.
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