Raraka

Raraka
NASA picture of Raraka Atoll
Raraka
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 16°10′S 144°54′W / 16.167°S 144.900°W / -16.167; -144.900Coordinates: 16°10′S 144°54′W / 16.167°S 144.900°W / -16.167; -144.900
Archipelago Tuamotus
Area 342 km2 (132 sq mi)  (lagoon)
14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) (above water)
Length 27 km (16.8 mi)
Width 19 km (11.8 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision Tuamotus
Commune Fakarava
Demographics
Population 110[1] (2012)

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 27 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 09°11′S 161°01′W / 9.183°S 161.017°W / -9.183; -161.017.

History

The first recorded European to sight Raraka Atoll was Captain Ireland in 1831.[2]

Raraka Atoll was visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition on 30 Aug. 1839.[3] 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."

Administration

Raraka Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.

References

  1. ↑ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Sample Chapter(s) for Historical%2 Archived 2011-05-22 at the Wayback Machine.
  3. ↑ Stanton, William (1975). The Great United States Exploring Expedition. Berkeley: University of California Press. p. 121. ISBN 0520025571.


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