Nukutavake

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
NASA picture of Nukutavake
Nukutavake is located in French Polynesia
Nukutavake
Nukutavake
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates19°16′S 138°46′W
ArchipelagoTuamotus
Area5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Length5 km (3.1 mi)[1]
Width1.3 km (0.81 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
Administrative subdivisionÎles Tuamotu-Gambier
CommuneNukutavake
Largest settlementTavananui
Demographics
Population177[2] (2017)
Nukutavake
Commune
Location of Nukutavake
Coordinates: 19°17′11″S 138°47′49″W
CountryFrance
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
SubdivisionÎles Tuamotu-Gambier
Area
1
13 km2 (5 sq mi)
Population
 (2017)[2]
295
 • Density23/km2 (59/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−10:00
INSEE/Postal code
98732 /
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

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 Fuvahmulah 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 177 inhabitants (2017 census);[2] 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 to arrive at 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

The commune of Nukutavake consists of the associated communes Nukutavake (which also includes the uninhabited island Pinaki), Vahitahi (which also includes the uninhabited island Akiaki) and Vairaatea.[2][5] Geographically these islands are part of the East-central subgroup of the Tuamotus, which includes Ahunui, Amanu, Fangatau, Hao and Nukutavake.

IslandPopulation (2017 census)[2]Area (km2)Area of lagoon (km2)Postcode
Nukutavake1775.5098773
Vahitahi682.57.498788
Vairaatea5031398791
Pinaki01.30.7-
Akiaki01.20-
TOTAL29513--

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. Répartition de la population en Polynésie française en 2017, Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française
  3. "Nukutuvake". Oceandots.com. Archived from the original on 23 December 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  4. "POLYNESIAN VOYAGERS. THE MAORI AS A DEEP-SEA NAVIGATOR, EXPLORER, AND COLONIZER". Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  5. Décret n°72-407 du 17 mai 1972 portant création de communes dans le territoire de la Polynésie française, Légifrance
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