Tuamotus

Information about Tuamotus

Tuamotus
Native name: Îles Tuamotu<nowiki />
Enlarge picture
Flag of the Tuamotu Islands

Flag of the Tuamotu Islands
Geography
<nowiki/>
LocationPacific Ocean <nowiki />
ArchipelagoPolynesia<nowiki />
Total islands78<nowiki />
Major islandsAnaa, Fakarava, Hao, Makemo<nowiki />
Area850 km²<nowiki /> <nowiki />
Administration
 France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia<nowiki/> <nowiki/> <nowiki/> <nowiki /> <nowiki /> <nowiki /> <nowiki/> <nowiki /> <nowiki/> <nowiki /> <nowiki/> <nowiki /> <nowiki/> <nowiki />
Demographics
Population14,876 (as of 2002)<nowiki />
Density18<nowiki />
The Tuamotus (French: Îles Tuamotu officially Archipel des Tuamotu) are a chain of atolls in French Polynesia and the largest chain of atolls in the world, spanning an area of the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe. Approximate location: 15 °S, 145 °W.

Administrative divisions

The communes on the Tuamotus are: Anaa, Arutua, Fakarava, Fangatau, Gambier, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Manihi, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Rangiroa, Reao, Takaroa-takapoto, Tatakoto and Tureia.

Administratively, the Tuamotus are part of the Îles Tuamotu-Gambier, which form one of the 5 administrative subdivisions (subdivisions administratives) of French Polynesia, the administrative subdivision of the Tuamotu-Gambier (Islands) (subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier) with 17 communes: The 16 communes Anaa, Arutua, Fakarava, Fangatau, Gambier, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Manihi, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Rangiroa, Reao, Takaroa-takapoto, Tatakoto and Tureia of the Tuamotus and the commune Gambier, comprising the Gambier Islands.

Electoral divisions

The communes on Tuamotu are part of two different districts/electoral circumscriptions (circonscriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia (Assemblée de la Polynésie française):

The islands/communes in the eastern part of the Tuamotus, together with the Gambier Islands (Gambier), form the electoral circumscription of the Gambier Islands and the Islands Tuamotu-East (circonscription électorale des Îles Gambier et Tuamotu Est), one of the 6 electoral districts (circonscriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia (Assemblée de la Polynésie française) with 12 communes: The commune Gambier on the Gambier Islands and the 11 communes Anaa, Fangatau, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Reao, Tatakoto and Tureia in the eastern part of the Tuamotus.

The islands/communes in the western part of the Tuamotus form the electoral circumscription of the Islands Tuamotu-West (circonscription électorale des Îles Tuamotu Ouest), a separate electoral district for the Assembly of French Polynesia, with the 5 communes Arutua, Fakarava, Manihi, Rangiroa and Takaroa in the western part of the Tuamotus.

Demography

At the 2002 census, the Tuamotus (including the Gambier Islands) had a population of 15,862 inhabitants.

769 inhabitants live in a 400 kilometer (250 mile) radius around Moruroa and Fangataufa, the sites of the French nuclear tests.

The language spoken in the Tuamotus is Tuamotuan, a collection of Polynesian dialects, except for in Puka-Puka and the Gambier Islands, where Puka-Pukan and Mangarevan are spoken, respectively.

Economy

Today the most important source of income in the Tuamotus is from the cultivation of black pearls and the preparation of copra. Agriculture in the islands is predominantly subsistence in nature.

Tourism-related income remains meager, especially by comparison to the tourism industry of the neighboring Society Islands. A modest tourism infrastructure is found on the atolls of Rangiroa and Manihi, two favorite scuba diving and snorkeling destinations.

Geography

Enlarge picture
Map of the Tuamotu Archipelago.
Despite the vast spread of the archipelago, it covers a total land area of only about 885 km² (345 sq. mi.).

The climate is warm tropical, without pronounced seasons. The annual average temperature is a relatively continuous 26°C (79°F). Water sources such as lakes or rivers are absent, leaving the only source of fresh water as catchments of rain water. The annual average rainfall is 1400 mm (about 55 in.). Rainfall is not markedly different throughout the year, although it is lowest during the months of September and November.

Major islands

The group encompasses 78 coral atolls and islands, including:

Island groups

Enlarge picture
Map of the Acteon Group.
Several of the atolls are grouped together and known by group names:

Acteon Group (Groupe Actéon)

Disappointment Islands (Îles du Désappointement)

Duke of Gloucester Islands (Îles du Duc de Gloucester)

King George Islands (Îles du Roi Georges)

Palliser Islands (Îles Palliser)

Enlarge picture
Fakarava inner lagoon, seen from a pontoon near the village of Rotoava
''Numerous atolls comprising the northwestern Tuamotus, including Mataiva

Raeffsky Islands (Îles Raéffsky)

Numerous atolls in the central Tuamotus, including Tepoto (South)
  • Anaa
  • Faaite
  • Fakarava
  • Kaitu
  • Makemo
  • Marutea Nord
  • Motutunga
  • Raraka
  • Raroia
  • Tahanea
  • Takume
  • Tepoto

Other islands and atolls in the central area

Other islands and atolls in the north-eastern area

  • Fangatau
  • Fakahina
  • Tatakoto
  • Pukarua
  • Reao

A group of islets and atolls in the south-eastern area

The two islands formerly used for French nuclear testing

Flora and fauna

The sparse soil of the coral islands does not permit a diverse vegetation. The coconut palm, which forms the basis for copra production, is of special economic importance. On a few islands, vanilla is also cultivated. Agriculture is generally otherwise limited to simple subsistence.

Fruit and vegetable staples include yams, taro, and breadfruit, as well as a wide range of other tropical fruits.

Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven together as roof thatch (although nowadays there are a great number of corrugated sheet-metal roofs instead), as well as for other items, such as mats and hats.

The animal life on the islands is limited to primarily birds (mostly seabirds), insects and lizards.

The Tuamotus have only 57 species of birds, but 10 are endemic, 13 are globally threatened and one is extinct.

The underwater fauna however, is diverse. The beautiful and species-rich reefs make the Tuamotus one of the most scenic scuba-diving destinations in the world.

Geology

All of the islands of the Tuamotus are coral "low islands": essentially high sand bars built upon coral reefs.

Makatea, southwest of the Palliser Islands, is one of three great phosphate rocks in the Pacific Ocean. The others are Banaba in Kiribati, and the island nation of Nauru.

Although geographically part of the Tuamotus, the Gambier Islands, at the southeastern extreme of the archipelago, are geologically and culturally distinct.

History

The early history of the Tuamotu islands is generally shrouded in mystery. Archaeological findings lead to the conclusion that the western Tuamotus were settled from the Society Islands by c. 700 A.D. On the islands of Rangiroa, Manihi and Mataiva, there are flat ceremonial platforms (called marae) made of coral blocks, although their exact age is unknown.

The Tuamotus were first discovered by Ferdinand Magellan, during his circumglobal voyage in 1521. His visit was followed by: None of these visits were of political consequence, the islands being in the sphere of influence of the Pomare dynasty of Tahiti.

At the beginning 18th century the first Christian missionaries arrived. The islands' pearls penetrated the European market in the late 1800s, making them a coveted possession. Following the forced abdication of King Pomare V of Tahiti, the islands were annexed as an overseas territory of France.

The Tuamotus made headlines around the world in 1947, when archaeologist Thor Heyerdahl, sailing from South America reached Raroia on his raft, Kon-Tiki.

More recently the islands have made headlines for French nuclear weapons testing on the atolls of Mururoa (sometimes called also Moruroa) and Fangataufa.

See also

External links

Coordinates:


Polynesia  •  • [ e] Tuamotu Archipelago - Gambiers - French Polynesia
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 | Tenararo | Tenurunga | 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
Archipelagoes: Australs | Bass | Marquesas | Societies | Tuamotus & Gambiers
 •  • [ e]
Polynesia
Polynesian triangle:Austral Islands Cook Islands Easter Island Gambier Islands Hawaiian Islands Loyalty Islands Marquesas New Zealand Pitcairn Islands Sala y Gmez Samoan Islands Society Islands Tokelau Tonga Tuamotus Tuvalu Wallis and Futuna Islands
Polynesian outliers and peripheral cultures:Anuta Emae Futuna Kapingamarangi Mele Nuguria Nukumanu Nukuoro Ontong Java Ouva Pileni Rennell Rotuma Sikaiana Takuu Tikopia
French (français, pronounced [fʁɑ̃ˈsɛ]) is a Romance language originally spoken in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and today by about 300 million people around the world as either
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Earth's oceans
(World Ocean)
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Southern Ocean


The Pacific Ocean (from the Latin name Mare Pacificum
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Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over 1,000 islands scattered over the central and southern Pacific Ocean.
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ANAA (Asian-American Network Against Abuse of Human Rights) is a volunteer-run organization with the purpose of increasing awareness about Gender apartheid and Gendercide that is occurring in Pakistan.
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Hao, in French Polynesia. "Hao" is also the word for a Chinese style name.


Hao is a large coral atoll in the central part of the Tuamotu Archipelago. Because of its shape, French explorer Louis Antoine de Bougainville named it Harp Island.
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Makemo is one of the larger of the Tuamotus atolls in French Polynesia. It is inhabited and has one village named Pouheva and has a population of 300. The village has a wharf and a boarding school of 150 kids from neighbouring islands.
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Motto
Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité
"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity"
Anthem
"La Marseillaise"


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Administrative divisions of France

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Regions
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Departments
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Motto
"Tahiti Nui Mare'are'a"
"Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité"
Anthem
La Marseillaise
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French (français, pronounced [fʁɑ̃ˈsɛ]) is a Romance language originally spoken in France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Switzerland, and today by about 300 million people around the world as either
..... Click the link for more information.
Motto
"Tahiti Nui Mare'are'a"
"Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité"
Anthem
La Marseillaise
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atoll is an island of coral that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.

Usage

Beau Briggs, the foremost atoll expert, says that the word atoll comes from the Dhivehi (an Indo-Aryan language spoken on the Maldive Islands) word atholhu
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Earth's oceans
(World Ocean)
  • Arctic Ocean
  • Atlantic Ocean
  • Indian Ocean
  • Pacific Ocean
  • Southern Ocean


The Pacific Ocean (from the Latin name Mare Pacificum
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Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. Physically and geologically, Europe is the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, west of Asia. Europe is bounded to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the west by the Atlantic Ocean, to the south by the Mediterranean Sea,
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Administrative divisions of France

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Regions
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Departments
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The Îles Tuamotu-Gambier (French: Îles Tuamotu-Gambier or Archipels des Tuamotu et des Gambier or Archipel des Tuamotu-Gambier or Tuamotu-Gambier or officially subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier
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Motto
"Tahiti Nui Mare'are'a"
"Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité"
Anthem
La Marseillaise
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Administrative divisions of France

Main article

Regions
(incl. overseas regions)
Departments
(incl.
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Gambier Islands
Native name: Îles Gambier<nowiki />

Flag of the Gambier Islands

Geography
<nowiki/>
Location Pacific Ocean <nowiki />
Archipelago Polynesia<nowiki />

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French Polynesia

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
French Polynesia

  • President: Gaston Tong Sang
  • Assembly
  • Political parties
  • Elections
  • 2004

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Gambier Islands
Native name: Îles Gambier<nowiki />

Flag of the Gambier Islands

Geography
<nowiki/>
Location Pacific Ocean <nowiki />
Archipelago Polynesia<nowiki />

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The Îles Tuamotu-Gambier (French: Îles Tuamotu-Gambier or Archipels des Tuamotu et des Gambier or Archipel des Tuamotu-Gambier or Tuamotu-Gambier or officially subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier
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French Polynesia

This article is part of the series:
Politics and government of
French Polynesia

  • President: Gaston Tong Sang
  • Assembly
  • Political parties
  • Elections
  • 2004

..... Click the link for more information.
The Îles Tuamotu-Gambier (French: Îles Tuamotu-Gambier or Archipels des Tuamotu et des Gambier or Archipel des Tuamotu-Gambier or Tuamotu-Gambier or officially subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier
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Mururoa (Mururura, Moruroa) (.) is an atoll which forms part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia in the southern Pacific Ocean. It has been used as a nuclear test site by France.
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Fangataufa (Fangatafoa) (.) is a small, low, narrow, coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. Along with its neighboring atoll, Moruroa, it has been the site of approximately 200 nuclear bomb tests.
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The Tuamotuan language (or paumotu / pa’umotu) is a Tahitic language spoken by about 6700 people in the Tuamotu Islands and an additional 2000 in Tahiti.

External links

  • Tuamotuan language at Ethnologue

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Polynesian languages are a language family spoken in the region known as Polynesia. They are classified as part of the Austronesian family, belonging to the Eastern Eastern Malayo-Polynesian branch of that family. They fall into two branches: Tongic and Nuclear Polynesian.
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This article refers to the language of Puka-Puka in French Polynesia. For the language of the Danger Islands in the northern Cook Islands, see Pukapukan language.

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Mangarevan is the East Central Polynesian language spoken in the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia. It is a member of the Marquesic subgroup, and as such is closely related to Hawaiian and to the languages of the Marquesas Islands.
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