Takapoto

Takapoto

NASA picture of Takapoto Atoll
Takapoto
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 14°37′39″S 145°12′18″W / 14.62750°S 145.20500°W / -14.62750; -145.20500Coordinates: 14°37′39″S 145°12′18″W / 14.62750°S 145.20500°W / -14.62750; -145.20500
Archipelago Tuamotus
Area 85 km2 (33 sq mi)  (lagoon)
15 km2 (6 sq mi) (above water)
Length 20 km (12 mi)
Width 6.7 km (4.16 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision Tuamotus
Commune Takaroa
Largest settlement Fakatopatere
Demographics
Population 380[1] (2012)

Takapoto, Tua-poto or Oura, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It has a length of 10 square kilometres (4 square miles) and a width of 6.7 kilometres (4.2 miles).

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

Takapoto's lagoon has a high salinity and a strong phytoplankton biomass.

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

Takapoto Atoll has 380 inhabitants. Fakatopatere, the main village on Takapoto, is located at the southern end of the atoll.

History

The first recorded European to sight Takapoto Atoll was Jacob Le Maire in 1616.[2]

Takapoto Atoll was visited by the Charles Wilkes expedition in September 1839.

Takapoto Airport was inaugurated in 1973.

Administration

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

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Sample Chapter(s) for Historical%2
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