Atiu

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Atiu, also known as Enuamanu (meaning land of the birds), is an island lying at 187 km to the northeast of Rarotonga, in the Southern Islands group of the Cook Islands Archipelago.

Contents 1 Geography 2 History 3 Human settlements 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Geography

Atiu is a raised volcanic island surrounded by a reef from which rises 6-m cliffs of fossilized coral (makatea). This coral cliff forms a mile-wide ring round the island, forming a virtual plateau. Erosion at the innerside of the ring has formed dip of about 30-m into fertile land, which gradually rises again to a central 70-m flat-topped hill.

[edit] History

The first recorded European to arrive to Atiu was Captain Cook in 1777.

[edit] Human settlements

It is on the central hill that most human settlements are concentrated. On the 12 March 2003, the population of Atiu was 571. They live in 5 villages radiating out from the island center that give the appearance of a human figure. These villages are:

1. Teenui Village
2. Mapumai Village
3. Ngatiarua Village
4. Areora Village
5. Tengatangi Village

Of special interest to tourists could be the Kopeka caves situated deep in the makatea, the Atiuan 'jungle'. It is within Anatakitaki cave that the Atiu Swiftlet makes it's nests.

[edit] References

• Atiu Island's website

[edit] External links

• Information and pictures
• Atiu on the Cook Islands website
• island map
• Seacology Atiu Island Project Seacology

Coordinates: 19°59′S, 158°07′W

v • d • e Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands: Manihiki • Nassau • Penrhyn • Pukapuka • Rakahanga • Suwarrow Southern Cook Islands: Aitutaki • Atiu • Mangaia • Manuae • Mauke • Mitiaro • Palmerston • Rarotonga • Takutea