Makatea

Tuesday, 04 December 2012

Tahiti & ses îles - De Maupiti à Makatea ( PART.1 - Le Triangle Polynésien )

POLYNESIE MAKATEA HQ HD GÖRÜNTÜLERLE DENİZİN ve DOĞANIN SESİ

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Acteon Group
The Acteon Group (Groupe Actéon) is a subgroup of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is located about 1,400 km south-southeast of Tahiti and southeast of the main Tuamotu atoll cluster and is rather isolated. (Latitude: 21° 17' 60 S, Longitude: 136° 29' W).
The Acteon Group includes four atolls of relatively small size:
None of the islands on these atolls have permanent inhabitants.
The first recorded European to sight the Acteon Group was Pedro Fernández de Quirós on February 5, 1605. He described the group as "four islands crowned by coconut palms". On the different texts describing his voyage, the islands are named "Las Cuatro Coronadas", "Las Cuatro Hermanas" or "Las Anegadas".
In 1833 the captain of a Tahitian trading vessel visited the group and named it "Amphitrite" after his own ship. In 1983 these atolls were struck by a cyclone.
Administratively the four atolls of the Acteon group belong to the commune of the Gambier Islands.
Coordinates: 21°22′59″S 136°34′59″W / 21.383°S 136.583°W / -21.383; -136.583

wn.com/Acteon_Group
Ahe
Ahe, Ahemaru or Omaru, is an almost entirely-enclosed coral atoll, located in the northern Tuamotu Archipelago, just 14 km to the west of Manihi, in French Polynesia.
Ahe Atoll's ring shape is broken by only a single small passage into the lagoon. Length 23.5 km, width 12.2 km. Latitude 14° 30'; Longitude S 146° 20' W.
Ahe Atoll has 441 inhabitants. The only village in Ahe is Tenukupara with approximately 100 inhabitants. It is located on an island in the south side of the Atoll.
Geographically Ahe Atoll is part of the King George Islands (Iles du Roi Georges) subgroup, which includes Ahe, Manihi, Takapoto, Takaroa and Tikei.
There are several pearl farms in Ahe's lagoon.
The first recorded Europeans to arrive to Ahe Atoll were Dutch mariners Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire in 1616.
Ahe was later visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842.Charles Wilkes called the atoll "Peacock Island" after one of the ships of the expedition. This atoll has sometimes suffered damages caused by cyclones.

wn.com/Ahe
Ahunui
Coordinates: 19°37′S 140°23′W / 19.617°S 140.383°W / -19.617; -140.383
Ahunui or Nga-taumanga is a small atoll of the eastern Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 55 km SSE of Paraoa Atoll and 120 km WSW of Vairaatea.
Ahunui Atoll is roughly circular in shape and measures 6.5 km across. Its lagoon is totally encircled by the reef, so that it is not connected to the ocean by a pass. The islands have coconut plantations on them.
Ahunui Atoll is permanently uninhabited, but it is visited occasionally by neighboring islanders. The rarer pipi oysters (Pinctada maculata) are found in its lagoon.
The first recorded European who arrived to Ahunui Atoll was British mariner Frederick William Beechey. He named it "Byam Martin" after Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas Byam Martin.
Ahunui belongs to the commune of Hao (Main village: Otepa), which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, Manuhangi (uninhabited) and Paraoa (uninhabited).

wn.com/Ahunui
Akiaki
Coordinates: 18°33′S 139°13′W / 18.55°S 139.217°W / -18.55; -139.217
Akiaki is a low coral atoll in the eastern area of the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Akiaki's nearest neighbor is Vahitahi, which is located 41 km to the southeast.
Akiaki is a small atoll rising barely above sea level. The total land surface is only 1.3 km². Its reef is occupied by a single flat island covered with coconut trees and other vegetation. There is no lagoon and it has only a difficult landing located on its northwestern side.
Akiaki is uninhabited, but is visited occasionally for its coconut plantations.
The first recorded European that arrived to Akiaki Atoll was Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1768. He called this atoll Ile des Lanciers. James Cook reached Akiaki the following year, during his first voyage, and named it Thrum Island.
Akiaki lies on top of a small seamount which is part of the Tuamotu Seamount Trail on the Pacific Plate. Akiaki's seamount is 3420 m high.
Administratively Vahitahi Atoll belongs to the commune of Nukutavake, which includes Nukutavake, as well as the atolls of Vahitahi, Vairaatea, Pinaki and Akiaki.

wn.com/Akiaki
Anuanuraro
Coordinates: 20°26′S 143°33′W / 20.433°S 143.55°W / -20.433; -143.55
Anuanuraro is an atoll in French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Duke of Gloucester Islands, a subgroup of the Tuamotu group. Anuanuraro's nearest neighbor is Anuanurunga, which is located about 29 km to the southeast.
Anuanuraro is a small atoll. It measures 5.3 km in length, with a maximum width of 3,2 km. Its shape is roughly square and its lagoon is totally enclosed by the fringing reef.
Anuanuraro Atoll is uninhabited.
The first recorded European to sight Anuanuraro Atoll was British naval officer and explorer Philip Carteret in 1767. He named this atoll "Archangel".
Formerly Ananuararo Atoll belonged to Robert Wan, the wealthy Tahitian pearl trader. It was bought back by the government of French Polynesia in March 2002.
This atoll has airfield which was built by Wan's company, Wan-Polynésie. It was opened in 1982 but is now in disuse.
Administratively the four atolls of the Duke of Gloucester Islands, including the uninhabited ones of Anuanuraro, Anuanuruga and Nukutepipi, belong to the commune of Hereheretue, which is associated to the Hao commune.

wn.com/Anuanuraro
Anuanurunga
Coordinates: 20°36′S 143°24′W / 20.6°S 143.4°W / -20.6; -143.4
Anuanurunga is an atoll in French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Duke of Gloucester Islands, a subgroup of the Tuamotu group. Anuanurunga's nearest neighbor is Nukutepipi, which is located about 22 km to the ESE.
Anuanurunga is a very small atoll. It is ring-shaped, measuring approximately 3.3 km in diameter. Its reef is quite broad, enclosing completely the small lagoon. There are four relatively large islands on its reef, as well as a few small motu.
Anuanurunga Atoll is uninhabited.
The first recorded European to sight Anuanurunga Atoll was British naval officer and explorer Philip Carteret in 1767. He named this atoll "Four Crowns".
Administratively the four atolls of the Duke of Gloucester Islands, including the uninhabited ones of Anuanuruga, Anuanuraro and Nukutepipi, belong to the commune of Hereheretue, which is associated to the Hao commune.

wn.com/Anuanurunga
Apataki
Apataki is a coral atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, territorially part of French Polynesia. It is one of the Palliser Islands, a subgroup of the Tuamotu Archipelago. Apataki is located approximately 370 kilometres northeast of the island of Tahiti. Its wide lagoon has two navigable passes to enter it.
Apataki Atoll has 430 inhabitants. The main village is called Niutahi.
The first recorded European to sight Apataki Atoll was Dutch navigator Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. It was visited by James Cook in 1774.
Apataki appears in some maps as "Hagemeister Island".
There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Apataki which was inaugurated in 1977.
Administratively, Apataki Atoll is part of the commune of Arutua.
Apataki has an airport but no tourism industry. The only main industry of the island is cultured Tahitian (black) pearls. The coconut palm, which forms the basis for copra (dried coconut) production, used to be of special economic importance to the islanders. On a few islands, the residents cultivate vanilla. Agriculture is generally limited to simple subsistence. Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven together as roof thatch (although corrugated sheet metal is also used today), as well as for other items such as mats and hats.

wn.com/Apataki
Aratika
Aratika is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Kauehi Atoll, located 35 km to the south east.
Aratika has an unusual butterfly shape. Its length is 20.8 km and its maximum width 10.7 km. The lagoon is wide and deep, and can be entered by two navigable passes.
Aratika has 240 inhabitants. The main village is called Paparara.
Aratika appears in some maps as "Carlshoff Island". This atoll was visited by the Charles Wilkes expedition on September 3 1839.
There is a private airfield in this atoll which opened in 1998. It is owned by the Fourcade company.
Aratika Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.
Coordinates: 15°29′S 145°30′W / 15.483°S 145.5°W / -15.483; -145.5

wn.com/Aratika
Austral Islands
Coordinates: 23°0′S 150°0′W / 23°S 150°W / -23; -150
The Austral Islands (French: Îles Australes or Archipel des Australes) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, they consist of two separate archipelagos, namely in the northwest the Tubuai Islands (French: Îles Tubuaï) consisting of the Îles Maria, Rimatara, Rurutu, Tubuai Island proper and Raivavae or Raevavae, and in the southeast the Bass Islands (French: Îles basses) composed of the main island of Rapa Iti and the small Marotiri. The islands of Maria and Marotiri are not suitable for sustained habitation. Several of the islands have uninhabited islets or rocks off their coastlines. Austral Islands' population is about 6,300 on almost 150 km². The capital of the Austral Islands administrative subdivision is Tubuai.
The Austral Islands (French: Îles Australes or Archipel des Australes) are the southernmost group of islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the South Pacific. Geographically, the Austral Islands consist of two separate archipelagos. From northwest to southeast they are:

wn.com/Austral_Islands
Faaite
Faaite, or Faaiti, is an atoll of the Tuamotus in French Polynesia. It is located 60 km to the north of Anaa Atoll. The total surface of the atoll is 230 km². Its dry land area is 9 km². Its length is 28 km and its width 10.5 km.
Faaite's inner lagoon has a navigable channel to the ocean. The main village is Hitianau, with a total population of 246.
The first recorded European to arrive to Faaite Atoll was John Turnbull in 1802. Turnbull was the first retailer of the Pacific who used the route of Tahiti to Hawaii.
Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen visited Faaite in 1820 on the ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Miloradovich".
This atoll reached a measure of fame after the "Bûchers de Faaite" affair. On September 2 1987 six persons were thrown into the fire (some of them by their own children) because the islanders were convinced that they were possessed by the devil.
There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Faaite which was inaugurated in 1992.
Administratively Faaite belongs to the commune of Anaa, which includes the inhabited atoll of Faaite and the uninhabited atolls of Tahanea and Motutunga.

wn.com/Faaite
Fakahina
Fakahina, or Kaīna, is a small atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fangatau Atoll, located 72 km to the WNW.
Fakahina Atoll's length is 9 km and its maximum width 6.3 km. There is no pass connecting the lagoon with the ocean.
Fakahina has 140 inhabitants. The main village is Tarione.
The ancient Ma'ohi people used this atoll as a site for sacrifices.
The first recorded European to arrive to Fakahina Atoll was Otto von Kotzebue, sailing in the service of the Russian tsars, in 1824. This atoll appears as "Predpriati" in some maps.
Part of the population of Fakahina was moved to Puka-Puka to work in the production of copra.
There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Fakahina which was inaugurated in 1985.
Fakahina belongs to the commune of Fangatau, which consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina.
Coordinates: 15°59′S 140°11′W / 15.983°S 140.183°W / -15.983; -140.183

wn.com/Fakahina
French Polynesia
French Polynesia (ⁱ/ˈfrɛntʃ pɒlɨˈniːʒə/; French: Polynésie française, pronounced: [pɔlinezi fʁɑ̃sɛz]; Tahitian: Pōrīnetia Farāni) is an overseas country of the French Republic (pays d'outre-mer). It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory (Papeetē). Although not an integral part of its territory, Clipperton Island was administered from French Polynesia until 2007.
The island groups that make up French Polynesia were not officially united until the establishment of the French protectorate in 1889. The first of these islands to be settled by indigenous Polynesians were the Marquesas Islands in AD 300 and the Society Islands in AD 800. The Polynesians were organized in loose chieftainships.
European communication began in 1521 when the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan sighted Pukapuka in the Tuāmotu-Gambier Archipelago. Dutchman Jakob Roggeveen came across Bora Bora in the Society Islands in 1722, and the British explorer Samuel Wallis visited Tahiti in 1767. The French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville visited Tahiti in 1768, while the British explorer James Cook visited in 1769. Christian missions began with Spanish priests who stayed in Tahiti for a year from 1774; Protestants from the London Missionary Society settled permanently in Polynesia in 1797.

wn.com/French_Polynesia
Haraiki
Coordinates: 17°28′S 143°28′W / 17.467°S 143.467°W / -17.467; -143.467
Haraiki is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 42 km southwest of Marutea Nord.
Haraiki Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 7 km in length with a maximum width of 5 km. There are three islets on its reef with a total land area of about 4 km². Its lagoon has a pass facing south.
Haraiki is purportedly uninhabited. However, Google Maps reveals there is a small collection of buildings on the north shore (-17.446343,-143.455739) and that the bulk of the land on all three islets has been heavily planted with a grid-like patchwork of trees or large shrubs.
The first recorded European to sight Haraiki Atoll was Spanish navigator Domingo de Boenechea on October 31 1772 on ship Aguila. He named this atoll "San Quintín".
Haraiki belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

wn.com/Haraiki
Hereheretue
Coordinates: 19°52′S 144°58′W / 19.867°S 144.967°W / -19.867; -144.967
Hereheretue is an atoll in French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean. It is the northernmost island of the Duke of Gloucester Islands group, or Îles du Duc de Gloucester, a subgroup of the Tuamotu group. Hereheretue's nearest neighbor is Anuanuraro, which is located about 150 km away.
Hereheretue Atoll has a roughly trapezoidal shape. Its lagoon is quite deep and has an area of 29 km². The broad reef completely encloses the lagoon, so that there is no navigable passage to enter it.
Hereheretue is the only permanently inhabited atoll of the group. It had a population of 57 at the census of 2002. They all live on the largest islet forming the southeast corner of the atoll, in a village facing the lagoon. However, an examination of the atoll using GoogleEarth showed at least 20 structures on the western islet.
Administratively the four atolls of the Duke of Gloucester Islands, including Anuanuraro, Anuanurunga and Nukutepipi, belong to the commune of Hereheretue, which is associated with the Hao commune.

wn.com/Hereheretue
Hiti
Hiti, or Hiti-rau-mea, is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 19 km southwest of Makemo Atoll.
Hiti Atoll is oval in shape. It measures 9 km in length with a maximum width of 6 km. There are some narrow islands on the northern side of its reef with a total land area of about 3 km². The southern part of the reef is broader but has no islands. Hiti's lagoon is not connected to the ocean by a pass.
The small group formed by Hiti, Tepoto Sud and Tuanake is also known as the "Raevski Atolls". The Tuamotu Reed Warbler and the Polynesian Ground Dove are found in this area.
Hiti Atoll is permanently uninhabited.
The first recorded European to arrive to Hiti Atoll was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820.
Hiti belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

wn.com/Hiti
Katiu
Katiu, or Taungataki, is an atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 23.5 km west of Makemo Atoll's westernmost point.
Katiu Atoll is roughly oval in shape. It measures 27 km in length with a maximum width of 12.5 km. Its total area, including the lagoon is 235 km² and a land area of approximately 10km². There are many narrow islands on the north-eastern side of its long reef with a total land area of about 3 km². Its lagoon is connected to the ocean.
Katiu has a population of 262 inhabitants. The main occupations are tourism, copra harvesting and pearl diving in the lagoon. The most important village is called Toini; it is located on one of the long islands of the northeastern reef.
The first recorded European to arrive to Katiu was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Osten-Saken" or "Saken".
There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Katiu which was inaugurated in 2001.
Katiu belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

wn.com/Katiu
Kauehi
Kauehi, or Putake, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Raraka Atoll, located 17 km to the Southeast.
Kauehi Atoll is roughly kidney-shaped and has a wide lagoon; length 23 km, width 17 km. Kauehi's lagoon has one navigable pass.
Kauehi Atoll has 671 inhabitants. The main village is called Tearavero.
Even though Kauehi Atoll was probably well-known to the pearl traders, the first recorded European to visit it was the Beagle's captain Robert FitzRoy in 1835.
Kauehi was later visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. Charles Wilkes called the atoll "Vincennes" after his ship.
There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Kauehi which was inaugurated in 2001.
Kauehi Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.
Coordinates: 15°52′S 145°08′W / 15.867°S 145.133°W / -15.867; -145.133
Kauehi fue descubierto por Fitz-Roy en 1835, aunque probablemente ya era conocido por los comerciantes de perlas. Era conocido con el nombre de Vincennes.

wn.com/Kauehi
Kaukura
Coordinates: 15°39′S 146°53′W / 15.65°S 146.883°W / -15.65; -146.883
Kaukura is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia, 48 km (30 mi) long and 15 km (9.3 mi) wide. It is located in the western area of the archipelago, 58 km (36 mi) SW of Rangiroa. The closest land is Arutua Atoll, only 16 km (9.9 mi) to the East.
Kaukura Atoll is elongated, with a length of 46 km (29 mi) and a maximum width of 14 km (8.7 mi). The northern reef rim is narrow, while the southern is broad. There are two groups of 65 islets. The surface of Kaukura's lagoon is 436 km² (168 sq mi). It has only one navigable pass cutting through the reef.
The most important island is Motu Panao, located in the Northwest of the Atoll. Kaukura has 353 inhabitants; the main village is Raitahiti.
Geographically Kaukura belongs to the Palliser Islands (Îles Palliser) subgroup of the Tuamotus.
The first recorded European to arrive to Kaukura was Dutch Navigator Jakob Roggeveen on his expedition for the Dutch West India Company to seek Terra Australis in 1722.

wn.com/Kaukura
King George Islands
Coordinates: 14°32′S 147°08′W / 14.533°S 147.133°W / -14.533; -147.133
The King George Islands (Îles du Roi Georges) is a subgroup of the Tuamotus Archipelago group in French Polynesia.
The King George Islands include four atolls and one island:
Tikei is the easternmost island and Ahe Atoll is the westernmost of the subgroup. The distance between them is 200 km (124 mi). Unlike the atolls of the Palliser group that have an elongated shape from the Northwest to the Southeast, the King George Islands follow a mirror image pattern of elongation from Southwest to the Northeast,
The name "King George Islands" was given to this group by British explorer John Byron, who reached Manihi, Takaroa and Takapoto in June 1765. In the 1880s, the Tuamotus were claimed by France, and in 1946 the indigenous Polynesians were granted the French citizenship.
Administratively there are two communes in the King George Islands:

wn.com/King_George_Islands
Makatea
Coordinates: 15°51′S 148°15′W / 15.85°S 148.25°W / -15.85; -148.25
Makatea, or Mangaia-te-vai-tamae, is a raised coral atoll in the northwestern part of the Tuamotus. It is located 79 km southwest from Rangiroa to the west of the Palliser group. It is surrounded by spectacular cliffs, rising to a plateau 80 meters above the sea level. This island is 7.5 km long, with a maximum width of 7 km in the south. It is 24 km² in area. Makatea is one of the only four islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago (along with Nukutavake, Tikei, and Tepoto Nord) that do not take the form of a typical atoll.
Mākatea is almost the only Paumotuan island with potable water. Its native name derived from the drinking water being brought out of its dark caves by the local people. "Mā," pure, clear; used here to mean water, "Atea," light of day and "K" for euphony. The other name of the Island was Mangaia-te-vai-tamāe, meaning "Mangaia of the purified (or clear) water."
This island was called "Aurora" by Dutch mariner Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. Later, the Polynesians called it "Papa Tea" (which means "white rock").

wn.com/Makatea
Manuhangi
Coordinates: 19°14′S 141°15′W / 19.233°S 141.25°W / -19.233; -141.25
Manuhangi (also known as Te Fara) is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. The atoll is situated 68 km southeast from Nengonengo and 52 km west from Paraoa.
Manuhangi Atoll is small in size, with a length of 5.4 km and a maximum width of 3.6 km. It has an oval shape and a coral reef completely enclosing a small lagoon. Manuhangi has a hook-shaped island covering the east and northeast of its reef.
The old Paumotu (Tuamotu’s inhabitants) called this small atoll "manu hagi" (meaning "the loving bird"). The atoll has been uninhabited for many years.
The first recorded European who arrived to Manuhangi was English navigator Samuel Wallis in 1767. He named it "Cumberland".
Administratively Manuhangi belongs to the commune of Hao (main village: Otepa), which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, Manuhangi (no permanent inhabitant) and Paraoa (uninhabited).
Manuhangi is a protected area and various species of birds are found in the atoll. Part of the land is planted with coconut palms. Apart from the birds, the fauna of the island primarily consists of coconut crabs.

wn.com/Manuhangi
Maria Est
Coordinates: 22°01′S 136°11′W / 22.017°S 136.183°W / -22.017; -136.183
Maria Atoll is a small atoll of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is located in the far southeast of the archipelago, about 72 km southwest from Marutea Sud. Maria's closest neighbour is the small atoll of Matureivavao of the Acteon Group, 56 km to the northwest.
Maria Atoll is oval in shape and bound by a continuous reef. It is 7 km long and has a maximum width of 4 km. Its islands are low and flat and the lagoon is hypersaline.
This atoll is mostly called "Maria Est" in order to avoid confusion with the another small atoll called Maria (Nororotu) in the Tubuai (Austral Islands) division of French Polynesia.
The first recorded European who arrived to Maria Est was Jacques-Antoine Moerenhout in 1829. In some maps Maria Atoll appeared as "Moerenhout Island".
Administratively Maria Est belongs to the commune of the Gambier Islands.

wn.com/Maria_Est
Marokau
Coordinates: 18°04′S 142°16′W / 18.067°S 142.267°W / -18.067; -142.267
Marokau is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It lies 53 km southeast of Hikueru Atoll and it is separated by a 2 km wide sound from Ravahere, its closest neighbor in the south.
Marokau and Ravahere form a minor subgroup of the Tuamotus known as the Two Groups Islands.
Marokau Atoll is roughly triangular. The islands on its reef have a combined land area of 14.7 km². The shallow lagoon has a surface of 217 km².
Marokau has 55 inhabitants. Most live in Vaiori, the main village, located on an island at its northern end. The locals collect copra from the numerous coconut palms planted on the islands and motus. There is another small village called Topitike in its south-eastern corner.
The first recorded European who sighted the two neighboring atolls of Marokau and Ravahere was Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1768.
Marokau Atoll was one of the main locations in the Tuamotu lagoons at which pearls were collected from the nineteenth century up to 1965.

wn.com/Marokau
Marquesas Islands
Coordinates: 9°27′16″S 139°23′20″W / 9.45444°S 139.38889°W / -9.45444; -139.38889
The Marquesas Islands (French: Îles Marquises or Archipel des Marquises or Marquises; Marquesan: Te Henua (K)enana (North Marquesan) and Te Fenua `Enata (South Marquesan), both meaning "The Land of Men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in the southern Pacific Ocean. The Marquesas are located at 9° 00S, 139° 30W. The highest point is the peak of Mount Oave (French: Mont Oave) on Ua Pu island at 1,230 m (4,035 ft) above sea level.
The Marquesas Islands form one of the five administrative divisions (subdivisions administratives) of French Polynesia. The capital of the Marquesas Islands administrative subdivision is the settlement of Taiohae on the island of Nuku Hiva. The population of the Marquesas Islands was 8,632 at the August 2007 census.
The first recorded settlers of the Marquessa were Polynesians, who, from archæological evidence, are believed to have arrived before 100 AD. Ethnological and linguistic evidence suggests that they likely arrived from the region of Tonga and Samoa.

wn.com/Marquesas_Islands
Marutea (North)
Marutea, or Taunga tauranga-e-havana, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 24 km to the southeast of Makemo Atoll and 30 km southwest of Nihiru Atoll.
Marutea Atoll measures 42 km in length with a maximum width of 17 km km. Its lagoon has an area of 458 km² and one pass to enter it. It has a land area of approx 2.7km². This atoll is very low and its reef is often awash.
Marutea Atoll is permanently uninhabited.
Marutea Nord should not be confused with Marutea Sud located in the far south-eastern reaches of the Tuamotu Archipelago at 21˚ 30'S., 135˚ 32'W.
Taunga-tauranga-e-havana, the second native name of Marutea, means "the friendly bird that rested and plumed itself on our mast" —so says Marerenui, a native of Faaite Atoll. There is a legend attached to this name, of which only fragments can be obtained.
The first recorded European to arrive to Marutea Atoll was Captain James Cook in 1773. Historically Marutea has appeared as "Furneaux Island" in some maps.
Marutea Nord belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

wn.com/Marutea_(North)
Marutea (South)
Coordinates: 21°30′S 136°28′W / 21.5°S 136.467°W / -21.5; -136.467
Marutea Atoll (Marutea Sud), also known as Marutea-i-runga, and Nuku-nui, is an atoll of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is located in the far southeast of the archipelago, about 72 km northeast from Maria Atoll.
Marutea Atoll is irregular in shape and bound by reef broken by passes into the lagoon. It is 21 km long, a maximum width of 10 km and an area of approximately 14km². Its islands are low and flat and the main village, Auorotini, is located at the northern end of the atoll. Marutea has no permanent population, but it is occasionally visited by islanders looking for pearls and maintaining the pearl farms.
Marutea Sud should not be confused with Marutea Nord located in the western area of the Tuamotu Archipelago at 17˚ 07' S, 143˚ 11' W.
The first recorded European to sight this atoll was Spanish explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós on February 4th 1606. He called it "San Telmo". Other Spanish names were "San Blas" and "Corral de Agua". Marutea was later explored by Edward Edwards, while he was searching for the mutineers of the HMS Bounty in 1791. Edwards renamed it "Lord Hood".

wn.com/Marutea_(South)
Mataiva
Coordinates: 14°53′S 148°43′W / 14.883°S 148.717°W / -14.883; -148.717
Mataiva (meaning "Nine Eyes" in Tuamotuan), Tepoetiriura ("Sparkling Pearl") or Lazarev atoll is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. It is located in the Palliser group, and is the westernmost of the Tuamotus. The nearest atoll, Tikehau, is located 35 km (21 mi.) to the east. Rangiroa is located 79 km (47 mi.) to the east, and Tahiti is 311 km (195 mi.) to the south.
The atoll's oval-shaped lagoon is 5.3 km (3.2 mi.) wide and 10 km (6 mi.) long, and is almost completely surrounded by land. In the lagoon the decaying coral morphed into linear rocky structures 50 to 300 meters wide. Some of these coral structures top above the water, forming about 70 basins. The varying depths of these basins and the clear water gives the lagoon a blue and green tesselated appearance when viewed from above. This type of lagoon structure is unique in French Polynesia. Rich phosphate deposits have been discovered at the bottom of these basins, up to an estimated 10 to 15 million tonnes. Although similar deposits exist in Makatea and Nauru, Mataiva inhabitants and ecosystems protection activists have successfully prevented its exploitation for the time being.

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Matureivavao
Matureivavao, or Mature-vavao is an uninhabited atoll in the Acteon Group in the southeastern part of the Tuamotu Islands. It is the largest atoll within the Acteon Group, and like others in this group, is administratively part of the commune of the Gambier Islands.
Matureivavao is about 6.6 km long in a NNW-SSE direction and 4.6 km wide. It has a land area of 2.5 km² and a total area of 18 km². It lies 16 km southeast of Tenarunga and 1,390 km from Tahiti. The atoll is high enough to be visible from a considerable distance. It appears as a sandy beach, backed by a line of dark green. Some buildings lie on the northwest side of the atoll. In bad weather, the seas sometimes sweep over the reef. There is no entrance to the lagoon.
In some maps this atoll also appears as "Melbourne".
The first mention of the atoll was made by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernández de Quirós on 5 February 1606 under the name Las Cuatro Coronadas (the "four crowned" (by coconut palms)), however these observations were not fully documented. As such, the first unambiguous approach to the island was made in 1833 by navigator Thomas Ebrill on his merchant vessel Amphitrite and again in 1837 by Captain Edward Russell on his warship HMS Acteon, the name given to the group. It was previously owned by a man named Captain Nicholas but was redeemed in 1934.

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Motutunga
Coordinates: 17°04′S 144°17′W / 17.067°S 144.283°W / -17.067; -144.283
Motutunga Atoll is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 17 km to the east of Tahanea Atoll.
Motutunga Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 15 km in length with a maximum width of 14 km. The reef fringing the atoll is continuous. There are no deep, navigable passes to reach the lagoon. Motutunga's lagoon has a surface of 126 km².
Motutunga is uninhabited.
Motutunga Atoll was first sighted by James Cook in 1773 who named it "Adventure", after the name of his own ship.
Spanish navigator Domingo de Boenechea sighted Motutunga in 1774 on ship Aguila. He named this atoll "San Blas".
Motutunga belongs to the commune of Anaa that also includes the associated commune of Faaite with the atoll of Faaite and the uninhabited atolls of Tahanea and Motutunga.

wn.com/Motutunga
Nauru
Coordinates: 0°31′38″S 166°56′12″E / 0.527288°S 166.936724°E / -0.527288; 166.936724
Nauru (English ⁱ/nɑːˈuːruː/ nah-OO-roo), officially the Republic of Nauru and formerly known as Pleasant Island, is an island country in Micronesia in the South Pacific. Its nearest neighbour is Banaba Island in Kiribati, 300 kilometres (186 mi) to the east. Nauru is the world's smallest republic, covering just 21 square kilometres (8.1 sq mi). With just over 9,322 residents, it is the second least-populated country after Vatican City.
Settled by Micronesian and Polynesian people, Nauru was annexed and claimed as a colony by the German Empire in the late 19th century. After World War I, Nauru became a League of Nations mandate administered by Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. During World War II, Nauru was occupied by Japanese troops, who were bypassed by the Allied advance across the Pacific. After the war ended, it entered into trusteeship again. Nauru gained its independence in 1968.
Throughout the first half of the 20th century, Nauru was a "rentier state". Nauru is a phosphate rock island, with rich deposits close to the surface, which allow for simple strip mining operations; moreover, it has some phosphate reserves which are presently (as of 2011) not economically viable for extraction. Nevertheless, this island was a major exporter of phosphate starting in 1907, when the Pacific Phosphate Company began mining there, through the formation of the British Phosphate Commission in 1919, and continuing after independence. This returned to Nauru full control of its minerals under the Nauru Phosphate Corporation, until the deposits ran out during the 1980s. For this reason, Nauru briefly boasted the highest per-capita income enjoyed by any sovereign state in the world during the late 1960s and early 1970s.

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Nengonengo
Coordinates: 18°46′S 141°48′W / 18.767°S 141.8°W / -18.767; -141.8
Nengonengo is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 53 km southeast of Ravahere, its closest neighbor, and 100 km southwest of Hao Atoll.
Nengonengo Atoll is roughly bell-shaped. It measures 13 km in length with a maximum width of 8 km. It has a wide lagoon with a surface 67 km², but there is no pass to enter it.
Nengonengo has 54 inhabitants.
The first recorded European who arrived to Nengonengo was Englishman Samuel Wallis in 1767. He named it "Prince William Henry".
The small private airport on Nengonengo was inaugurated in 1993. It is owned by the Wan pearl company.
Nengonengo Atoll belongs to the commune of Hao, which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, Manuhangi (uninhabited) and Paraoa (uninhabited).

wn.com/Nengonengo
Netherlands
The Netherlands (ⁱ/ˈnɛðərləndz/; Dutch: Nederland [ˈneːdə(r)lɑnt] or [ˈneɪ̯də(r)lɑnt] ( listen); West Frisian: Nederlân; Papiamento: Hulanda) is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with some islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders with Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. It is a parliamentary democracy organised as a unitary state. The country capital is Amsterdam and the seat of government is The Hague. The Netherlands in its entirety is often referred to as Holland, although North and South Holland are actually only two of its twelve provinces (a case of pars pro toto; see terminology of "the Netherlands").

wn.com/Netherlands
Niau
Coordinates: 16°09.25′S 146°21.34′W / 16.15417°S 146.35567°W / -16.15417; -146.35567
Niau is a small atoll in French Polynesia, in the commune of Fakarava (Tuamotu archipelago). This atoll has broad fringing reef and an area of 20 km².
Niau's lagoon is swampy, hypersaline and entirely enclosed. The narrow strip of land surrounding the lagoon is covered by marsh vegetation. The lagoon area is 33 km² and it has an unusual green color.
The only human settlement on Niau is Tupana, population 136 (as of 2002).
The first recorded European to visit Niau was Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this island "Greig".
Niau is administratively part of the commune of Fakarava, which consists of the island Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.
Niau is one of the few locations where has been preserved the original ecosystem Tuamotu tropical moist forest, which here is called - feo. This ecosystem represents a mixed broadleaf forest, it has disappeared in practically all other atolls. Forest has been preserved in the central part of the island, it contains several endemic species of plants and animals.

wn.com/Niau
Nihiru
Coordinates: 16°44′S 142°50′W / 16.733°S 142.833°W / -16.733; -142.833
Nihiru, or Nikia, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is a relatively small atoll located 49 km to the east of Makemo Atoll and 30 km northeast of Marutea Atoll.
Nihiru Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 14 km in length with a maximum width of 10.5 km. Its lagoon has an area of 79 km².
Nihiru had 30 inhabitants in 1996.
The first recorded European to arrive to Nihiru was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Nigeri".
This atoll is now inhabited by approximately twenty permanent occupants, most of whom originated from Taenga.
Nihiru Atoll belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

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Nukutepipi
Coordinates: 20°41′S 143°04′W / 20.683°S 143.067°W / -20.683; -143.067
Nukutepipi, or Nuku-te-pipi is an atoll in French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Duke of Gloucester Islands, a subgroup of the Tuamotu group. Nukutepipi's nearest neighbor is Anuanurunga, which is located about 22 km to the WNW.
Nukutepipi is a very small atoll. It is roughly triangular-shaped, measuring approximately 2.7 km in length. Its reef is quite broad, enclosing completely the small lagoon, which has a deep area at its centre. There are two relatively large islands on its reef, one on its eastern side and the other on the northwest.
Nukutepipi Atoll has 2 inhabitants. It has a small airfield which was inaugurated in 1982.
The first recorded European to sight Nukutepipi Atoll was British naval officer and explorer Philip Carteret in 12 July 1767 who only referred to it in his logs as "the southernmost island". John Turnbull aboard the Margaret March 6, 1803 named it "Margaret island" after their ship. The atoll was visited by lieutenant Ringgold of the Wilkes Expedition on the 6 January 1841. He identified the correct name of the atoll as "Nukutipipi" by the natives.

wn.com/Nukutepipi
Pacific Ocean
The Pacific Ocean is the largest of the Earth's oceanic divisions. It extends from the Arctic in the north to the Southern Ocean (or, depending on definition, to Antarctica) in the south, bounded by Asia and Australia in the west, and the Americas in the east.
At 165.2 million square kilometres (64.1 million square miles) in area, this largest division of the World Ocean – and, in turn, the hydrosphere – covers about 46% of the Earth's water surface and about one-third of its total surface area, making it larger than all of the Earth's land area combined. The equator subdivides it into the North Pacific Ocean and South Pacific Ocean, with two exceptions: the Galápagos and Gilbert Islands, while straddling the equator, are deemed wholly within the South Pacific. The Mariana Trench in the western North Pacific is the deepest point in the world, reaching a depth of 10,911 metres (35,797 ft).
The eastern Pacific Ocean was first sighted by Europeans early in the 16th century. Spanish explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa crossed the Isthmus of Panama in 1513 and named it Mar del Sur (South Sea). The ocean's current name was given by Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan during the Spanish expedition of world circumnavigation in 1521, who encountered favourable winds as he reached the ocean and called it Mar Pacifico in Portuguese, meaning "peaceful sea".

wn.com/Pacific_Ocean
Palliser Islands
The Palliser Islands or Pallisers are a subgroup of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. They are located in the northwest of the main group of atolls.
The group includes:
The Palliser Islands were named "Palliser's Isles" in honour of Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser, by Captain James Cook, who was the first European to sight them, on 19 April and 20 April, 1774.
Media related to Palliser Islands at Wikimedia Commons

Coordinates: 15°07′30″S 147°38′46″W / 15.125°S 147.646°W / -15.125; -147.646

wn.com/Palliser_Islands
Paraoa
Coordinates: 19°08′S 140°43′W / 19.133°S 140.717°W / -19.133; -140.717
Paraoa, Tohora, or Hariri is a small atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 76 km south of Hao Atoll's westernmost point. The closest land is Manuhangi Atoll, 52 km to the west.
Paraoa Atoll is oval in shape. It measures 8.5 km in length with a maximum width of 5.5 km. Its lagoon is not connected to the ocean by a pass, which makes this small atoll quite inaccessible. Paraoa Atoll is uninhabited.
The first recorded European who arrived to Paraoa was Englishman Samuel Wallis in 1767. He named it "Gloucester".<ref.Samuel Wallis (in German)</ref>
Paraoa belongs to the commune of Hao (Main village: Otepa), which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, Manuhangi (uninhabited) and Paraoa (uninhabited).

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Pukaruha
Pukarua, sometimes also listed as "Pukaruha" (especially on French maps), is a coral atoll in the eastern Tuamotu Archipelago. The nearest atoll, Reao, is located 48 km to the ESE.
Pukarua Atoll is 17 km long and its maximum width is 4.5 km. It has a long island on its northeastern reef, shaped somewhat like a fish hook, as well as a number of small islands. The atoll is surrounded by a coral reef without a proper passage. There is a pier from which small to medium-sized ships can be launched.
The only village is Marautagaroa, populated by about 100 inhabitants.
The atoll's lagoon is interesting for snorkelers because of the presence of giant clams.
Pukarua Atoll was first visited by Europeans in 1797, when British mariner James Wilson was sailing from Tongatapu to the Marquesas on ship Duff. He found Pukarua uninhabited, but saw the tokens of former occupancy. Wilson named Pukarua "Searle Island" after a friend he had in the Transport office in England.
Thirty years later another British explorer, Frederick Beechey, found Pukarua inhabited by Polynesians.

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Raeffsky Islands
The Raeffsky Islands or Raevski Islands (French: Îles Raéffsky or Îles Raevski) is a subgroup of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. They are located roughly in the central area of the main Tuamotu atoll cluster. (Latitude: 16° 45' 0 S, Longitude: 144° 13' 60 W)
The Raeffsky Islands include the following atolls:
The ring-shaped atoll Taiaro provides a rare example of a coral reef with a fully enclosed lagoon. The atoll was officially designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1977.
Coordinates: 16°45′00″S 144°13′01″W / 16.750°S 144.217°W / -16.750; -144.217

wn.com/Raeffsky_Islands
Rangiroa
Coordinates: 15°07′31″S 147°38′43″W / 15.12528°S 147.64528°W / -15.12528; -147.64528
Rangiroa (meaning Vast Sky in Tuamotuan) or Te Kokōta (Hyades in Māori), is the largest atoll in the Tuamotus, and one of the largest in the world (although it is smaller than Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and Huvadhu in the Maldives). It is part of the Palliser group. The nearest atoll is Tikehau, located only 12 km to the West. It is about 355 km Northeast of Tahiti.
The chief town is Avatoru, located in the northwestern part of the atoll.
The atoll consists of about 415 motus, islets and sandbars comprising a total land area of about 170 km². There are approximately one hundred narrow passages (passes), called r'oa, in the fringing reef. The atoll has a flattened elliptic shape, with 80 km in length and a width ranging from 5 to 32 km wide. The width of land reaches 300 to 500 meters wide and its circumference totals up to 200 km. The lagoon has a maximum depth of 35 m and its surface is 1446 km². It is so large that it has its own horizon. On account of its shallow depth, the currents that come in and out through the passes and with the winds can sometimes create interior storms.

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Raraka
Raraka, or Te Marie, is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It lies 17 km to the southeast of Kauehi Atoll.
The shape of Raraka Atoll is an oval 26 km long and 19 km wide. Its fringing reef has many sandbanks and small motu. This atoll has a wide lagoon with a navigable pass to the ocean.
Raraka Atoll is now uninhabited, but it is occasionally visited by islanders from neighboring atolls. There is a village called Motupapu.
Raraka Atoll in the Tuamotus should not be confused with Raraka in Malaita, Solomon Islands (Latitude: 9° 11' 60 S, Longitude: 161° 1' 0 E).
The first recorded European to sight Raraka Atoll was Captain Ireland in 1831.
Raraka Atoll was visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. Charles Wilkes reported: "The next day they reached Raraka Atoll and were allowed ashore to explore it on that and the following day. There they met about 40 peaceful islanders, who had native-born missionary among them. Their chief was missing his left hand, it having been bitten off by a shark."

wn.com/Raraka
Raroia
Coordinates: 16°01′S 142°26′W / 16.017°S 142.433°W / -16.017; -142.433

Raroia, or Raro-nuku, is an atoll of the Tuamotus chain in French Polynesia, located 740 km northeast of Tahiti and 6 km southwest of Takume. Administratively it is a part of the commune of Makemo.
The oval-shaped atoll measures 43 km by 14 km and has a land area of 41 km². A navigable waterway leads to the central lagoon, which has an area of 359 km². The population as of the 1996 census was 184. The town of Garumaoa is the main settlement. Raroians live principally on fishing, copra cultivation, and pearl farming.
Raroia and Takume were called Napaite, "the Twins" (-ite, two), by the ancient Paumotu people.
The first recorded European to reach Raroia was Portuguese explorer Pedro Fernandes de Queirós in 1605. It was later sighted again in 1820 by Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen, who named it Barclay de Tolly after the Russian field marshal Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly.
In 1947, Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki arrived in Raroia after its 101-day journey from South America. Later, one of the crew members, Bengt Danielsson, lived there. and studied the economy and the society. He wrote some books about Raroia, notably his thesis Work and Life on Raroia (Uppsala, 1955). In his 1952 book Raroia: Happy Island of the South Seas, he observes, "The Raroian peace stems from the fact that the people have no material anxieties and no other object in life than just to live" (Danielsson, 294).

wn.com/Raroia
Ravahere
Coordinates: 18°13′S 142°09′W / 18.217°S 142.15°W / -18.217; -142.15
Ravahere is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 53 km northwest of Nengonengo Atoll and it is separated by a 2 km sound from Marokau Atoll, its closest neighbor to the north.
Marokau and Ravahere form a minor subgroup of the Tuamotus known as the Two Groups Islands.
Ravahere Atoll is roughly boomerang-shaped. It measures 18 km in length with a maximum width of 7.5 km. The shallow lagoon has a surface of 50 km², but there is no pass to enter it.
Ravahere is permanently uninhabited.
The first recorded European who sighted the two neighboring atolls of Marokau and Ravahere was Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1768.
Ravahere belongs to the commune of Hikueru, which consists of the atolls of Hikueru, Marokau, Ravahere, Reitoru and Tekokota.

wn.com/Ravahere
Rekareka
Coordinates: 16°49′S 141°55′W / 16.817°S 141.917°W / -16.817; -141.917
Rekareka, Tehuata or Tu-henua, is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located in the Centre East of the group, 83 km southeast from Raroia . and lies 70 km NW of Tauere, its nearest neighbor. The shoal water of this small atoll extends 0.5 mile seaward from its northern, western, and southern sides, and about 0.8 miles from its south-eastern side. Rekareka has no fresh water and is uninhabited.
Spanish explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós sighted Rekareka during his Pacific expedition on February 13 1606. The Spaniards named this island "La Sagitaria" and reported that it was inhabited at that time. In some maps this island also appears as "Bonne Esperance" and "Good Hope".
Administratively Rekareka belongs to the commune of Amanu which includes the atolls of Rekareka (uninhabited) and Tauere. The Amanu commune is associated with the Hao commune.

wn.com/Rekareka
Taenga
Coordinates: 16°21′S 143°07′W / 16.35°S 143.117°W / -16.35; -143.117
Taenga, or Taunga-hara, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 32 km to the northeast of Makemo Atoll and 27 km to the northwest of Nihiru Atoll.
Taenga Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 27 km in length with a maximum width of 11 km.
Taenga's lagoon has an area of 170 km². It is very difficult to enter on account of the currents and the very narrow pass.
This atoll has currently 76 inhabitants, most of whom are Mormons.
Taenga Atoll was first discovered by John Buyers on 10 March 1803 who named it "Holts Island" on the same day as he discovered Makemo atoll. It was later rediscovered by Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820. In some maps it still appears as "Yermolov".
Taenga Atoll belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

wn.com/Taenga
Tahanea
Coordinates: 16°50′S 144°45′W / 16.833°S 144.75°W / -16.833; -144.75
Tahanea Atoll is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 12 km to the east of Faaite Atoll.
Tahanea Atoll is quite large. It measures 48 km in length with a maximum width of 15.2 km. The southern reef fringing the atoll is wider than the northern one, but the largest islands are on the narrower northern rim. Tahanea has a wide and deep lagoon with a surface of 545 km². There are three deep, navigable, passes into the lagoon, which are called Motupuapua, Teavatapu and Otao.
Tahanea is uninhabited, but it is visited occasionally by islanders from neighboring atolls.
The first recorded European to sight Tahanea was Spanish navigator Domingo de Boenechea 1774 on ship Aguila. He named this atoll "San Julián".
Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen visited Tahanea in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Chichagov" .
Tahanea belongs to the commune of Anaa that also includes the associated commune of Faaite with the atoll of Faaite and the uninhabited atolls of Tahanea and Motutunga.

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Taiaro
Taiaro, or Maro-taua, is a small atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is one of the smallest of the Tuamotu atolls. Taiaro lies 42 km to the northeast of Raraka Atoll.
The shape of Taiaro Atoll is roughly a polygon 3.7 km across. It has a deep sandy lagoon without any passes to the ocean.
Taiaro Atoll is uninhabited. It is the private property of W. A. Robinson.
The first recorded European arriving to Taiaro Atoll was Captain Robert FitzRoy on ship Beagle in 1835. It was the last atoll of the Tuamotus to be recorded and charted.
This atoll was visited by the United States Exploring Expedition led by Charles Wilkes on September 3, 1839. Wilkes named it "King's Island" after the surname of the sailor at the masthead who had first sighted it.
In 1977 Taiaro was declared a protected area by UNESCO under the name Biosphere Reserve Taiaro Atoll.
The uninhabited Taiaro is private property under the ownership of W.A. Robinson who declared it a nature reserve in 1972. The atoll was officially designated as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in 1977.

wn.com/Taiaro
Takapoto
Takapoto, Tua-poto or Oura, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Length 17 km, width 6.4 km. Latitude 14° 42'; Longitude S 145° 15' W.
The nearest land is Takaroa Atoll, located 10 km 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 441 inhabitants. Fakatopatere, the main village on Takapoto, is located at the southern end of the atoll.
The first recorded European to sight Takapoto Atoll was Jacob Le Maire in 1616.
Takapoto Atoll was visited by the Charles Wilkes expedition in September 1839.
Takapoto Airport was inaugurated in 1973.
The commune of Takaroa-Takapoto consists of the atolls of Takaroa and Takapoto, and Tikei Island.
Coordinates: 14°37′01″S 145°12′00″W / 14.617°S 145.200°W / -14.617; -145.200

wn.com/Takapoto
Takaroa
Takaroa, Taka-roa or Takapua, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Length 27.4 km, width 7 km. Latitude 14° 27'; Longitude S 144° 59' W.
The nearest land is Takapoto Atoll, located 10 km to the Southwest.
Fine pearls, including black pearls, were obtained in the lagoon of Takaroa.^{[citation needed]}
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 1003 inhabitants. The main village is Teavaroa.
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.
The commune of Takaroa consists of the atolls of Takaroa and Takapoto, as well as Tikei Island.
Coordinates: 14°27′00″S 144°58′59″W / 14.450°S 144.983°W / -14.450; -144.983

wn.com/Takaroa
Takume
Takume or Pukamaru is an atoll of the Tuamotus chain in French Polynesia, located 790 km (490 mi) northeast of Tahiti and 6 km (3.7 mi) northeast of Raroia and 128 km (80 mi) to the west of Fangatau.
This elongated atoll measures 24 km (15 mi) by 5 km (3.1 mi). Its lagoon has an area of 43.5 km² (16.8 sq mi).
Takume has many small motus on its reef; most are located on its eastern fringes. The long and deep lagoon has one navigable pass to enter it.
Takume Atoll has 93 inhabitants. The main village is Ohomo.
Takume and Raroia were called Napaite, "the Twins" (ite, two), by the ancient Paumotu people.
The first recorded European to arrive to Takume was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Volonsky".
Takume Airport was inaugurated in 1996.
Administratively Takume is a part of the commune of Makemo. The commune of Makemo consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

wn.com/Takume
Tauere
Coordinates: 17°22′S 141°28′W / 17.367°S 141.467°W / -17.367; -141.467
Tauere Atoll or Taouere, also known as Te Putua, is a small atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 85 km northwest of Hao Atoll's westernmost point.
Tauere Atoll is squarish in shape. It measures 7.5 km across. The islands are located on its northern and eastern sides. Its lagoon is not connected to the ocean by a pass, which makes this small atoll quite inaccessible.
Tauere has only 5 inhabitants.
Tauere was sighted by Spanish navigator Domingo de Boenechea on October 28 1772 on ship Aguila. He called this atoll "San Simon y Judas". Hence this atoll appears in some maps as "St. Simon".
Administratively Tauere belongs to the commune of Amanu (Main village: Ikitake) which includes the atolls of Rekareka (uninhabited) and Tauere. The Amanu commune is associated with the Hao commune.

wn.com/Tauere
Tekokota
Coordinates: 17°19′S 142°37′W / 17.317°S 142.617°W / -17.317; -142.617
Tekokota is one of the Central Tuamotu atolls, located close to the geographic center of the archipelago.
Tekokota Atoll is one of the smallest atolls of the Tuamotus. Its islands have a total land mass of only 0.9 km².
Tekokota's shape is roughly oval and it is 5 km in length and 3.5 km in width. The western side of Tekokota Atoll is submerged. The surface of its shallow central lagoon is 5.1 km².
Tekokota Atoll is uninhabited. The closest land to Tekokota is Hikueru Atoll, located 22 km to the south.
Tekokota was first sighted by James Cook in 1773. He named Tekokota Atoll "Doubtful".
Months later Spanish explorer José de Andía called this atoll, "La del Peligro" (The Dangerous One). A few days later, another Spanish navigator Domingo de Boenechea sighted Tekokota on ship Aguila. He named this atoll "Los Mártires".
Tekokota Atoll belongs to the commune of Hikueru, which consists of the atolls of Hikueru, Marokau, Ravahere, Reitoru and Tekokota.

wn.com/Tekokota
Tematangi
Coordinates: 21°40′S 140°37′W / 21.667°S 140.617°W / -21.667; -140.617
Tematangi or Tematangui is an atoll in the southeastern area of the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Tematangi's nearest neighbor is Mururoa, which is located 161 km to the ESE.
Tematangi is a medium-sized atoll. It measures approximately 11.5 km in length and has a maximum width of 7 km. Its reef encloses completely the deep lagoon, which is 61 km sq. There is no navigable pass to enter the lagoon.
There are many relatively large islands on Tematangi's reef, as well as a few small motu. The main village is Tuihana. There were 53 inhabitants on Tematangi in the last census.
The first recorded European to visit this atoll was Captain William Bligh on the ship Providence on April 5, 1792. At the time of Bligh's visit, it was uninhabited. Tematangi Atoll appears in some maps as "Bligh's Lagoon Island".
When Frederick Beechey visited Tematangi in 1826 he found inhabitants there. In 1857, the captain of the Julia, coasting along Tematangi Atoll saw armed natives follow the course of his schooner... "clad in many-coloured stuffs".

wn.com/Tematangi
Tenararo
Tenararo is the smallest atoll in the Acteon Group in the southeasten part of the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia. It is administratively a part of the Gambier Islands. It is uninhabited.
Tenararo is located 6 km west of Vahanga, the nearest island, 115 km west of the Gambier Islands and 1370 km southeast of Tahiti. It is a circular atoll with an land area of 1.6 km² and a total area of 2 km². The atoll has a landing place on its NW side between the small boulders which encumber the reef. There is no entrance to the lagoon.
The first mention of the atoll was made by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernández de Quirós on 5 February 1606 under the name Las Cuatro Coronadas (the "four crowned" (by coconut palms)), however these observations were not fully documented. As such, the first unambiguous approach to the island was made in 1833 by navigator Thomas Ebrill on his merchant vessel Amphitrite and again in 1837 by Captain Edward Russell on his warship HMS Acteon, the name given to the group. It was previously owned by a man named Captain Nicholas but was redeemed in 1934.

wn.com/Tenararo
Tenarunga
Tenarunga or Tenania, formerly Minto Island is a low, wooded and uninhabited atoll in the Acteon Group in the southeastern part of the Tuamotu Islands in French Polynesia. It is administratively a part of the Gambier Islands.
Tenarunga is located 15 km northwest of Matureivavao, 6 km west of Vahanga and 1,375 km southeast of Tahiti. It has a land area of 2.3 km² and a total area (lagoon inclusive) of 5 km². There are some buildings and a dock located on the north-east side of the island, indicating former and/or seasonal habitation.
The atoll's lagoon is not accessible from the sea.
The first mention of the atoll was made by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernández de Quirós on 5 February 1606 under the name Las Cuatro Coronadas (the "four crowned" (by coconut palms)), however these observations were not fully documented. As such, the first unambiguous approach to the island was made in 1833 by navigator Thomas Ebrill on his merchant vessel Amphitrite and again in 1837 by Captain Edward Russell on his warship HMS Acteon, the name given to the group. It was previously owned by a man named Captain Nicholas but was redeemed in 1934.

wn.com/Tenarunga
Tepoto (North)
Coordinates: 14°08′S 141°24′W / 14.133°S 141.4°W / -14.133; -141.4
Tepoto, also known as Te Poto, Toho, or Pukapoto, is a coral island. It is the northwesternmost of the Disappointment Islands, in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Despite being often referred to as "atoll", Tepoto is not a typical Tuamotu atoll, but a single separate island without lagoon. It is located at the limit of the Tuamotu archipelago; the closest land is Napuka, which lies 16 km to the southeast.
Tepoto is 2.6 km long and 800 m wide; it has an area of 4 km². This island is sometimes called Tepoto Nord in French, to avoid confusion with Tepoto Atoll (Tepoto Sud) 400 km (240 mi.) to the southwest, in the Raeffsky Islands of central Tuamotu. An obsolete name is Otuho.
According to the 2002 census, its population was 54 inhabitants (there were 67 in 1983). The primary village is Tehekega. There is a 5m wide road running round the whole island.
The first recorded European to arrive to Tepoto Nord was explorer John Byron in 1765. He named Napuka and Tepoto "Disappointment Islands" because the natives were of a hostile disposition.

wn.com/Tepoto_(North)
Tepoto (South)
Coordinates: 16°48′S 144°16′W / 16.8°S 144.267°W / -16.8; -144.267
Tepoto Atoll (Tepoto Sud), or Ti Poto, is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 44 km southwest of Makemo Atoll.
Tepoto Atoll is almost round in shape. It measures 3.8 km in diameter. Its lovely turquoise-blue lagoon is connected to the ocean by a narrow channel in the north-east.
This atoll is sometimes called Tepoto Sud in French, to distinguish it from the island of Tepoto, approximately 400 km (240 mi) to the northeast in the Disappointment Islands.
The small group formed by Tepoto Sud, Hiti and Tuanake is also known as the "Raevski Atolls". The Tuamotu Reed Warbler and the Polynesian Ground Dove are found in this area.
Tepoto Atoll is permanently uninhabited.
According to articles in Ireland's Own and the Times Educational Supplement Website, the atoll is identified by Tony Crowley as being the site of buried treasure stolen during the 19th century by four adventurers from a church in Pisco, Peru. Over the years, people have searched for the treasure without success, though an Australian visitor to the atoll discovered a cache of medallions, the contents of which indicated they came from South America.

wn.com/Tepoto_(South)
Tikehau
Coordinates: 15°07′S 148°13′W / 15.117°S 148.217°W / -15.117; -148.217
Tikehau (meaning Peaceful Landing in Tuamotuan) or Porutu-kai is a coral atoll in the Palliser Islands group, part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is included in the commune of Rangiroa.
Tikehau is located 340 km northeast of Tahiti in the Tuamotu Islands. The nearest atoll, Rangiroa, lies only 12 km to the east. Mataiva, the westernmost atoll of the same group, is located 35 km (21 mi.) to the west.
The atoll's oval-shaped lagoon is 27 km long and 19 km wide with a lagoon area of about 461 km². The atoll is made up of two major islands and numerous islets. The Northeastern quarter of the atoll is a single, mostly uninhabited island. The whole atoll is surrounded by an almost continuous coral reef. There is a single pass deep and wide enough for navigation in and out of the lagoon: Tuheiava Pass is located on the Western shore. The islands and islets are covered with coconut palms. The main village is called Tuherahera.

wn.com/Tikehau
Tikei
Tikei, also known as Manu, Tikai and Tiku is an island in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Tikei is not a typical Tuamotu atoll, but a separate island. Maximum length: 2.8 Km, maximum width 1.2 Km. (Latitude: 14° 58' 0 S, Longitude: 144° 31' 60 W)
Geographically Tikei is part of the King George Islands (Iles du Roi Georges) subgroup, which includes Ahe, Manihi, Takapoto, Takaroa and Tikei
Tikei is presently uninhabited. Formerly there was human habitation and the main village was called Tereporepo. The closest land is Takapoto Atoll, located 73 Km to the Northwest. Tikei Island has been poorly researched.
The first recorded European to arrive to Tikei was Dutch mariner Jacob Roggeveen on May 18, 1722. He named this island "Carlshoff".
1816 Russian mariner Otto von Kotzebue came to Tikei in 1816. He named it "Romanzov", after the main sponsor of his expedition.
Tikei belongs to the commune of Takaroa, which consists of the island of Takaroa, as well as the island of Tikei and the atoll of Takapoto.

wn.com/Tikei
Toau
Coordinates: 15°49′S 146°00′W / 15.817°S 146°W / -15.817; -146
Toau, Pakuria, or Taha-a-titi is a coral atoll in French Polynesia, one of the Palliser Islands (Îles Pallisier). Toau has a wide lagoon; length 35 km, width 18 km. The nearest land is Fakarava Atoll, located 14 km to the Southeast.
Toau Atoll is almost uninhabited. It has a population of only about forty people, who mostly depend on fishing for their livelihood. The main village is called Maragai.
Captain James Cook was the first recorded European to sight the atoll, in April 1774. In some maps Toau appears as "Elizabeth".
Toau Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.

wn.com/Toau
Tuamotus
The Tuamotus or the Tuamotu Archipelago (French: Îles Tuamotu, officially Archipel des Tuamotu) are a chain of islands and atolls in French Polynesia. They form the largest chain of atolls in the world, spanning an area of the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe. The Tuamotu islands were originally settled by Polynesians who share a common culture and language.
French Polynesia is a semi-autonomous island group designated as an overseas country of France. The Tuamotus combine with the Gambier Islands to form the Îles Tuamotu-Gambier which is one of the five administrative divisions of French Polynesia.
The Tuamotus are grouped into sixteen communes: Anaa; Arutua; Fakarava; Fangatau; Hao; Hikueru; Makemo; Manihi; Napuka; Nukutavake; Puka Puka; Rangiroa; Reao; Takaroa; Tatakoto; and Tureia.
The communes on Tuamotu are part of two different electoral districts (circonscriptions électorales) represented in the Assembly of French Polynesia. The Îles Gambier et Tuamotu Est electoral district comprises the commune of Gambier and eleven communes in eastern Tuamotu: Anaa; Fangatau; Hao; Hikueru; Makemo; Napuka; Nukutavake; Pukapuka; Reao; Tatakoto; and Tureia. The other five communes in western Tuamotu – Arutua; Fakarava; Manihi; Rangiroa; and Takaroa – form the Îles Tuamotu Ouest electoral district .

wn.com/Tuamotus
Tuanake
Coordinates: 16°40′S 144°13′W / 16.667°S 144.217°W / -16.667; -144.217
Tuanake or Mata-rua-puna is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 24 km southwest of Makemo Atoll's westernmost point.
Tuanake Atoll is roughly semicircular in shape. It measures 9.5 km in length with a maximum width of 6.5 km. There are some narrow islands on the northern side of its reef with a total land area of about 3 km². Its lagoon is connected to the ocean by a pass located in the southern part of the ringing reef.
Tuanake is located only 6.5 km to the northwest of Hiti Atoll. The small group formed by Tuanake, Tepoto Sud and Hiti is also known as the "Raevski Atolls".
The first recorded European to sight Tuanake was Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820.
Tuanake belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru. Tuanake Atoll is permanently uninhabited.

wn.com/Tuanake
Two Groups Islands
Coordinates: 18°08′S 142°15′W / 18.133°S 142.25°W / -18.133; -142.25
The Two Groups Islands (French: Îles Deux Groupes) is a minor subgroup of the Tuamotus in French Polynesia. It is formed by the atolls of Marokau and Ravahere.
Marokau lies to the north and Ravahere to the south. The two atolls are separated by a 2 km (1 mi) wide sound.
These two neighboring atolls were discovered by Louis Antoine de Bougainville in 1768. It was James Cook, however, who named them "Two Groups" the following year. He described Marokau and Revahere as a "chain of islands linked by reefs".
Administratively the Two Groups Islands belong to the commune of Hikueru, which consists of the atolls of Hikueru, Marokau, Ravahere, Reitoru and Tekokota.

wn.com/Two_Groups_Islands
Vahanga
Vahanga is a small uninhabited atoll part of the Acteon Group in the Tuamotu archipelago, French Polynesia and belongs to the municipality of the Gambier Islands.
Vahanga is located 9 km west of Tenarunga and 1362 km southeast of Tahiti . It is a circular atoll with a diameter of 3.6 km and an area of 3.8 km² (12.6 km⁶ lagoon inclusive). It is a low atoll with a landing place on the northwest side of the island near a white house, but there is no access to the lagoon.
The first mention of the atoll was made by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernández de Quirós on 5 February 1606 under the name Las Cuatro Coronadas (the "four crowned" (by coconut palms)), however these observations were not fully documented. As such, the first unambiguous approach to the island was made in 1833 by navigator Thomas Ebrill on his merchant vessel Amphitrite and again in 1837 by Captain Edward Russell on his warship HMS Acteon, the name given to the group. It was previously owned by a man named Captain Nicholas but was redeemed in 1934.

wn.com/Vahanga
Vahitahi
Coordinates: 18°47′S 138°50′W / 18.783°S 138.833°W / -18.783; -138.833
Vahitahi, or Vaitake, is an atoll in the eastern area of the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Vahitahi's nearest neighbor is Akiaki, which is located 41 km to the northwest.
Vahitahi is a small atoll with an elongated oval shape. It measures approximately 10 km in length and has a maximum width of 4.5 km. Its reef encloses completely the lagoon. The total land area of the islands on its reef is 2,5 km².
The main village is called Mohitu (formerly Temanufaara). There were 103 inhabitants according to the 2002 census.
Vahitahi Atoll was the first land that Louis Antoine de Bougainville found in the Pacific in 1768. He called the atoll Les Quatre Facardins, after a novel of the time. James Cook reached Vahitahi the following year and named it Lagoon Island.
Vahitahi has a territorial airport. It was inaugurated in 1986.
Administratively Vahitahi Atoll belongs to the commune of Nukutavake.

wn.com/Vahitahi
Vairaatea
Vairaatea is a small atoll of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Geographically Vairaatea Atoll is part of the East-central subgroup of the Tuamotus, which includes Ahunui, Amanu, Fangatau, Hao and Nukutavake. Nukutavake, the closest land, lies 38 km to the east.
Vairaatea Atoll measures 8 km in length and its width is about 4 km. Its reef has a roughly triangular shape. There are two long islands on it. The reef completely encloses a 13 km² lagoon. Landing on this atoll is difficult on account of the surf and the lack of a safe anchorage.
In 1989 Vairaatea was inhabited by eight families living in a village at the northern end of Puka Runga, the only inhabited island. According to the 1996 census there were 70 people living in Vairaatea.
The first recorded European who arrived to Vairaatea was the Spanish explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós in 1606. He named this atoll "San Miguel Arcángel".
Englishman Samuel Wallis visited Vairaatea in 1767. He named it "Lord Egmont". In some maps it also appears as "Industriel".

wn.com/Vairaatea
Vanavana
Coordinates: 20°47′S 139°10′W / 20.783°S 139.167°W / -20.783; -139.167
Vanavana, Kurataki, or Huataki is an atoll in the southeastern area of the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Vanavana's nearest neighbor is Tureia, which is located 58 km to the east.
Vanavana is a small oval-shaped atoll. It measures approximately 5 km in length and has a maximum width of 3.2 km. Its reef encloses completely the deep lagoon, which is 61 km². There is one hook-shaped large island in the north and another in the south of its reef.
Vanavana Atoll is uninhabited. Although, the 27 Oct 2005 imagery available in Google Earth clearly shows about 20 buildings arranged in an orderly fashion on the north end of the island.
The first recorded European to arrive to Vanavana was British mariner Captain Frederick Beechey in 1826. He named this atoll "Barrow Island", after Sir John Barrow.
Administratively Vanavana Atoll belongs to the commune of Tureia, which includes the atolls of Tureia, Fangataufa, Moruroa, Tematangi and Vanavana.

wn.com/Vanavana

Anne Heche
Anne Celeste Heche ( /ˈheɪʃ/ HAYSH; born May 25, 1969) is an American actress, director, and screenwriter. She started her career on the daytime soap opera Another World, for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991. Heche gradually landed supporting roles in feature films, and in 1997 appeared in I Know What You Did Last Summer, Wag the Dog, Donnie Brasco and Volcano. Her first leading role in a major Hollywood film was Six Days Seven Nights (1998)—which has remained her highest-profile film role to date. Following a supporting role in the film John Q. (2002), she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in the TV movie Gracie's Choice (2004), and starred in the 2006–2008 TV series Men in Trees. Her most recent film roles include Spread (2009), The Other Guys (2010), and Cedar Rapids (2011); she currently appears in the HBO cable TV series Hung.
Heche was beginning to establish herself in films during the late 1990s, when she began a highly publicized relationship with Ellen DeGeneres. In 2001, a year after her break-up with DeGeneres, Heche married cameraman Coleman Laffoon, with whom she had a son. Since their separation in 2007 (they divorced in 2009), she has lived with actor James Tupper, with whom she also has a son.

wn.com/Anne_Heche
Harrison Ford
Harrison Ford (born July 13, 1942) is an American film actor and producer. He is famous for his performances as Han Solo in the original Star Wars trilogy and as the title character of the Indiana Jones film series. Ford is also known for his roles as Rick Deckard in Blade Runner, John Book in Witness and Jack Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. His career has spanned six decades and includes roles in several Hollywood blockbusters, including Presumed Innocent, The Fugitive, Air Force One, and What Lies Beneath. At one point, four of the top six box-office hits of all time included one of his roles. Five of his films have been inducted into the National Film Registry.
In 1997, Ford was ranked No. 1 in Empire's "The Top 100 Movie Stars of All Time" list. As of July 2008^[update], the United States domestic box office grosses of Ford's films total over US$3.5 billion, with worldwide grosses surpassing $6 billion, making Ford the third highest grossing U.S. domestic box-office star. Ford is the husband of actress Calista Flockhart.

wn.com/Harrison_Ford
John T. Arundel
John T. Arundel (1841-1919) was an entrepreneur who was instrumental in the development of the mining of phosphate rock on the Pacific islands of Nauru and Banaba (Ocean Island).
His father owned a gentleman’s outfitter in the City of London and a warehouse business on the Thames estuary, with the family living at Gravesend. The family were active in the Congregational Church, and through a church connection he joined Houlder Brothers & Co., a firm that provided ships for migration to New Zealand and Australia.
In 1860, J.T. Arundel travelled on a company ship into the Pacific, calling at the Chincha Islands, on which guano was mined for refining into superphosphate. J.T. Arundel took an interest in the potential of the fertiliser business and in 1868 the company sent him on a second voyage into the Pacific to pursue opportunities.
When J.T. Arundel set off in 1871 to develop a business in the Pacific he left his fiancée Eliza Eleanor (Lillie) Whibley in England, as he wanted to secure their financial security by achieving success with his business ventures. J .T. Arundel and Lillie Whibley were not to marry until 1881. Following their marriage Lillie Arundel would travel into the central Pacific with J.T. Arundel when he would visit the various islands on which his company has operations. Lillie Arundel gave birth in 1884 to their second daughter while on Manra, then known as Sydney Island, giving her the name of that island.

wn.com/John_T._Arundel

Makatea, l'oubli

...

published: 02 Sep 2011

author: TeleramaVidcast

Tamarii Makatea WMP

...

published: 02 Jan 2012

author: TihotiGeorge

Tahiti & ses îles - De Maupiti à Makatea ( PART.1 - Le Triangle Polynésien )

Avec l'équipe de FAUT PAS REVER, partez pour le pacifique dans les îles sous le vent, à la...

published: 27 Aug 2011

author: TahitISLAND

MOKU'AINA HULA "Makatea"

The Beautiful Ladies of "Moku'aina Hula" performed on July 17th, 2010 at my 40th Birthday ...

published: 19 Jul 2010

author: CousinTito

Makatea, le temps du phosphate

Ce montage photos, réalisé par Julien Gué, utilisent des cartes postales et des photos iss...

published: 11 Sep 2012

author: JulienGueTahiti

Hawaiian Dance: Makatea

Here is a sneak peek of my talent for Ms. Asian Sensation 2011...

published: 22 Feb 2011

author: theGISEH

Makatea, l'atoll assassiné

Quelques photos noir et blanc de Makatea publiées par le quotidien "Les Nouvelles de Tahit...

published: 10 Sep 2012

author: JulienGueTahiti

Jozhy K - Makatea (Original Mix)

Release Date: 2012-10-29 Genre: Deep House, Ambient Support the artist: www.beatport.com L...

published: 25 Nov 2012

author: 3daysfestival

POLYNESIE MAKATEA HQ HD GÖRÜNTÜLERLE DENİZİN ve DOĞANIN SESİ

POLYNESIE MAKATEA HQ HD GÖRÜNTÜLERLE DENİZİN ve DOĞANIN SESİ İZMİR İSTANBUL ANKARA ADANA A...

published: 05 Apr 2009

author: SESACHANNEL

makatea

...

published: 05 Jul 2009

author: fabi3636

makatea.mov

Video promocional espectacle "Makatea", de la companyia Circ A lienzo...

published: 25 Jan 2011

author: circAlienzo

makatea.mov.flv

Demo. Portés acrobáticos. Circ Alienzo. Borja González, Miguel Ángel García y el teclista ...

published: 22 Oct 2011

author: Borja Ytuquepintas

karaoke en makatea

...

published: 28 Jul 2010

author: zafiropure

fiona et makatea

defoulage de makatea...

published: 18 Sep 2007

author: titemak

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photo: UN / Shareef Sarhan

File- A view of the outer perimeter of Palestine Stadium, severely damaged by Israeli air strikes in Gaza City earlier this week, 19 November, 2012.

The End of Jewish Power

WorldNews.com

02 Dec 2012

Article by WN.com Guest Writer Gilad Atzmon. Israel suffered a humiliating defeat at The UN recently. The nations of the world stood up and said NO to the Jewish state - NO to Israeli occupation, NO to Israeli human rights abuse, NO to Jewish racism. In effect, they stood up and confessed to serious Zio-fatigue ... This is a very good news indeed. But interestingly, this united opposition to Israel is not in response to Israeli strength ... ....(size: 2.6Kb)

photo: USAF / Senior Airman Patrice Clarke

File - U.S. Army Capt. Peggy Hu, Zabul Provincial Reconstruction Team civil affairs, speaks with a local child during a routine patrol in the local area Nov. 21, 2012, in Afghanistan.

'Taliban attackers' target US Afghanistan base

BBC News

02 Dec 2012

There have been "multiple explosions" near an airfield at a US base in eastern Afghanistan, Nato has said. Afghan intelligence officials told the BBC seven suicide attackers targeted the base in Jalalabad, and witnesses said that gunfire was heard ... Counter claims ... There were no Nato casualties in the attack, officials said ... ....(size: 1.7Kb)

photo: AP / Patrick Semansky

Army Pfc. Bradley Manning, center, steps out of a security vehicle as he is escorted into a courthouse in Fort Meade, Md., Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2012, for a pretrial hearing.

Pfc. Manning: From Bloody Eagle to Bloody Cage

WorldNews.com

02 Dec 2012

Article by WN.com Correspondent Dallas Darling. Much like the United States, the Vikings were a paradoxical and duplicitous civilization. Not only were they highly skilled shipbuilders and tremendous explorers, not to mention their expertise in the fishing, farming and trading industries, but they helped establish and contribute to the nation-states of France, England, Ireland, Germany, Russia, and Iceland ... This came to mind when Pfc....(size: 5.5Kb)

photo: AP / Anja Niedringhaus

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon speaks at the Human Rights Council at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland

Israel settlement bid a 'fatal blow' to peace

New Straits/Business Times

03 Dec 2012

UNITED NATIONS. UN leader Ban Ki-moon warned Sunday that if Israel implemented its latest plan for new settlements it would deal an “almost fatal blow” to any prospects for peace with the Palestinians.   Israel’s announcement about the 3,000 Jewish settler homes, whose planned location was not revealed, came in the wake of a historic vote by the United Nations General Assembly to upgrade Palestine’s diplomatic status ... ....(size: 4.2Kb)

photo: AP / Bassem Tellawi

A Syrian man reads a newspaper covering Barack Obama's victory in the U.S. Presidential election as he stands in front of a picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad in Damascus, Syria, Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008. In Syria, a nation isolated by the Bush administration in the last few years, the people and political analysts were hopeful Obama would work for peace in the Mideast and improve America's image and his win proved the failure of Bush's policies. Relations with Washington have started to improve recently but plummeted after a U.S. commando raid across the Iraq border into Syria killed eight people last m

Obama warns Syria against using chemical weapons

The Guardian

04 Dec 2012

WASHINGTON (AP) â President Barack Obama warned Syria on Monday that the use of chemical weapons would be "totally unacceptable" and that the country's leaders would be held accountable ... Obama stopped short of detailing those consequences....(size: 6.7Kb)

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French Polynesia

BBC News

22 Mar 2011

French Polynesia. This overseas French territory in the South Pacific comprises the Marquesas Islands, Society Islands, Tuamotu Archipelago (including Gambier Islands), and Tubuai Islands ... There is abundant rainfall ... The tables for Papeete on Tahiti and Makatea in the Tuamotu group of islands are representative of French Polynesia. © Copyright RM, 2007 ... ....(size: 1.5Kb)

The Examiner

02 Nov 2010

Kauai has been known as Hollywood's favorite movie location for over 75 years now ... 3 ... A fun, exotic holiday story that revolved around the time Quinn Harris (Harrison Ford) and Robin Monroe (Anne Heche) crashed and got stranded on an island between Makatea and Tahiti. Although the movie's plot was set in Makatea, an island in Tuamotus, Kauai became the stand-in location for Makatea ... Contact. info.mayrogers@yahoo.com ... ....(size: 3.1Kb)

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For district of the Cook Islands, see Makatea (district).

Coordinates: 15°51′S 148°15′W / 15.85°S 148.25°W / -15.85; -148.25

Map of Makatea

Satellite Image of Makatea Island

Makatea, or Mangaia-te-vai-tamae, is a raised coral atoll in the northwestern part of the Tuamotus. It is located 79 km southwest from Rangiroa to the west of the Palliser group. It is surrounded by spectacular cliffs, rising to a plateau 80 meters above the sea level. This island is 7.5 km long, with a maximum width of 7 km in the south. It is 24 km² in area. Makatea is one of the only four islands of the Tuamotu Archipelago (along with Nukutavake, Tikei, and Tepoto Nord) that do not take the form of a typical atoll.

1 History
2 Administration and demography
3 See also
4 References
5 External links
6 Footnotes

History [link]

Mākatea is almost the only Paumotuan island with potable water. Its native name derived from the drinking water being brought out of its dark caves by the local people. "Mā," pure, clear; used here to mean water, "Atea," light of day and "K" for euphony. The other name of the Island was Mangaia-te-vai-tamāe, meaning "Mangaia of the purified (or clear) water."

This island was called "Aurora" by Dutch mariner Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. Later, the Polynesians called it "Papa Tea" (which means "white rock").

There is a ghost town, Vaitepaua, and an adjacent abandoned port, Temao, on the northwest coast of Makatea. These are from the times of phosphate mining (1917 to 1964).^[1] Makatea is one of three important Pacific raised coral islands that had large phosphate deposits, the other two being Nauru and Banaba. The Pacific Phosphate Company Ltd, (PPC), which was founded by John T. Arundel and involved in mining at Nauru and Banaba, formed the Compagnie des Phosphates de l'Océanie with a Tahitian syndicate to mine phosphate on Makatea.^[2] In September 1909, the S.S. Ocean Queen, a ship owned by the PPC, was wreaked on the reef at Makatea; a bent connecting rod caused the engines to stop and the current carried the ship onto the reef.^[2]

Also, the island of Makatea was featured in the 1998 movie Six Days Seven Nights starring Harrison Ford, Anne Heche and David Schwimmer. To quote Quinn Harris (Harrison Ford): "It's an island, babe. If you didn't bring it here, you won't find it here." Although the name Makatea was used in the film, the movie was not filmed in Makatea and nothing about the film depicted the rugged landscape and real dangers of the island.

Phosphate mining drew hundreds of people to Makatea in the years before the French Centre d'Experimentation du Pacifique (CEP) started nuclear experiments. For over two decades or even longer, Makatea was a very active little island because of the ships arriving to load phosphate and to bring supplies and food to the many workers and their families that lived there. After the end of the phosphate exploitation, Makatea was almost totally left on its own with only a few families left to guard the island. The mining produced hundreds if not thousands of hand dug holes across the upper plateau of Makatea. Each cylindric hole is about 8 ft. in diameter and 50 to 75 ft. in depth. An unsuspecting visitor could easily fall into a hole and die while walking in the thick undergrowth that hides these holes. The once active village where the miners lived had a school, bakery, first aid medical center and all the things needed to make life comfortable. All that remains today has been destroyed by time and nature. The school and other places have been leveled to the ground and grown over by vines and jungle.

Administration and demography [link]

Makatea Island forms a commune associée of Rangiroa commune with 93 inhabitants (2002 census). The main village is called Moumu. The islanders live off agriculture, culture of copra, some fishing and the trade of coconut crabs.

References [link]

External links [link]

Footnotes [link]

^ "Tahiti Heritage". Archéologie industrielle du phosphate - Makatea. http://www.tahitiheritage.pf/fiche-archologie-industrielle-du-phosphate--makatea-22493.htm. Retrieved 11 Sept. 2011.
^ ^a ^b Maslyn Williams & Barrie Macdonald (1985). The Phosphateers. Melbourne University Press. ISBN 0-522-84302-6.

v t e Tuamotu Archipelago and Gambier Islands of French Polynesia

Tuamotus Gambiers	Islands/Atolls: Ahe • Ahunui • Akiaki • Amanu • Anaa* • Anuanuraro • Anuanurunga • Apataki • Aratika • Arutua* • Faaite • Fakahina • Fakarava* • Fangatau* • Fangataufa • Hao* • Haraiki • Hereheretue • Hikueru* • Hiti • Katiu • Kauehi • Kaukura • Makatea • Makemo* • Manihi* • Manuhangi • Maria Est • Marokau • Marutea (North) • Marutea (South) • Mataiva • Matureivavao • Morane • Moruroa • Motutunga • Napuka* • Nengonengo • Niau • Nihiru • Nukutavake* • Nukutepipi • Paraoa • Pinaki • Puka Puka* • Pukaruha • Rangiroa* • Raraka • Raroia • Ravahere • Reao* • Reitoru • Rekareka • Taenga • Tahanea • Taiaro • Takapoto • Takaroa* • Takume • Tatakoto* • Tauere • Tekokota • Tematangi • Temoe • Tenararo • Tenarunga • Tepoto (North) • Tepoto (South) • Tikehau • Tikei • Toau • Tuanake • Tureia* • Vahanga • Vahitahi • Vairaatea • Vanavana

	* commune administration center

	Island groups: Acteon • Disappointment • Duke of Gloucester • King George • Two Groups • Palliser • Raeffksy

Archipelagos of French Polynesia: Australs • Gambiers • Marquesas • Societies • Tuamotus

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Luis Quintana
Relief pitcher
Born: (1951-12-25)December 25, 1951 Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Died: July 27, 2009(2009-07-27) (aged 57) West Palm Beach, Florida
Batted: Left	Threw: Left
MLB debut
July 9, 1974 for the California Angels
Last MLB appearance
June 28, 1975 for the California Angels
Career statistics
Win-Loss	2-3
Strikeouts	16
Earned run average	5.03
Teams
California Angels (1974–1975)

This name uses Spanish naming customs; the first or paternal family name is Quintana and the second or maternal family name is Santos.

Luis Joaquín Quintana Santos (December 25, 1951 – July 27, 2009) was a professional baseball player who played two seasons for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. Quintana was born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico.

On July 27, 2009, Quintana was found dead in his car after a crash in West Palm Beach, Florida.^[1] Officials from the Palm Beach County sheriff's office indicated that Quintana had died of natural causes while driving.^[1] Quintana's family announced their intention to take his remains back to Vega Baja, Puerto Rico for burial.^[1]

References [link]

^ ^a ^b ^c "Ex-Angels pitcher Luis Quintana, 57, dies in Fla.", The Associated Press, July 28, 2008.

External links [link]

Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference

Persondata
Name	Quintana, Luis
Alternative names
Short description	Puerto Rican baseball player
Date of birth	December 25, 1951
Place of birth	Vega Baja, Puerto Rico
Date of death	July 27, 2009
Place of death	West Palm Beach, Florida

This biographical article relating to a Puerto Rican baseball pitcher is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.

http://wn.com/Luis_Quintana

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Make changes yourself !

Contents

History [link]

Administration and demography [link]

See also [link]

References [link]

External links [link]

Footnotes [link]

http://wn.com/Makatea

Related pages:

http://ru.wn.com/Макатеа (остров)

http://fr.wn.com/Makatea (île)

http://nl.wn.com/Makatea

http://pt.wn.com/Makatea

http://de.wn.com/Makatea

http://it.wn.com/Makatea

http://pl.wn.com/Makatea

http://es.wn.com/Makatea

References [link]

External links [link]

http://wn.com/Luis_Quintana