Takaroa

Takaroa

NASA picture of Takaroa Atoll
Takaroa
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 14°27′S 144°59′W / 14.450°S 144.983°W / -14.450; -144.983
Archipelago Tuamotus
Area 93 km2 (36 sq mi)  (lagoon)
20 km2 (8 sq mi) (above water)
Length 24.7 km (15.35 mi)
Width 7 km (4.3 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision Tuamotus
Commune Takaroa
Largest settlement Teavaroa
Demographics
Population 882[1] (2012)
Takaroa

NASA satellite image of Takaroa atoll
Coordinates: 14°27′00″S 144°58′59″W / 14.45°S 144.983°W / -14.45; -144.983Coordinates: 14°27′00″S 144°58′59″W / 14.45°S 144.983°W / -14.45; -144.983
Country France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Area 26 km2 (10 sq mi)
Population (2012)1 1,262
 • Density 49/km2 (130/sq mi)
INSEE/Postal code 98749 / 98781
1 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once.

Takaroa, Taka-roa or Takapua, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It has a length of 27.4 kilometres (17.0 miles) and a width of 7 km (4 mi); its land area is 20 square kilometres (8 square miles).

The nearest land is Takapoto Atoll, located 10 kilometres (6 miles) to the southwest.

Fine pearls, including black pearls, were obtained in the lagoon of Takaroa.

Geographically Takaroa is part of the King George Islands (Iles du Roi Georges) subgroup, which includes Ahe, Manihi, Takapoto, Takaroa and Tikei.

Takaroa Atoll has 882 inhabitants. The main village is Teavaroa.

History

The first recorded Europeans to arrive to Takaroa were Dutch explorers Jacob le Maire and Willem Schouten on 14 April 1616 during their Pacific journey. They called this atoll "Sondergrond Island".

Takaroa territorial airport was inaugurated in 1986.

Administration

The commune of Takaroa consists of the atolls of Takaroa and Takapoto, as well as Tikei Island.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
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