Maupihaa
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Maupihaa, also known as Mopelia, is an atoll in the Leeward group (Iles sous le Vent) of the Society Islands. This atoll is located 72 km southeast of Manuae, its nearest neighbor.
Maupihaa atoll is roughly 8 km in length and contains a lagoon that is up to 40 m in depth and is surrounded by submerged reefs on three sides[1]. The atoll's outer reefs are continuous except for a small passage on the western side of the atoll. The eastern side consists of a narrow, thickly vegetated, islet (Motu Maupihaa) and a number of smaller islets bring the total land area of Maupihaa to 2.6 km². The only village on the atoll is located on Motu Maupihaa and as of 1985, the population consisted of just 10 people[2].
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[edit] History
Maupihaa Atoll was inhabited in very ancient times by Polynesians; archaeological remains and fish hooks have been found.
The first European to arrive on Maupihaa, along with neighboring Fenua Ura and Motu One, was Samuel Wallis in 1767.
In 1917, the atoll was leased to a Papeete company, with three employees making copra, and raising pigs and chickens and collecting turtles. It was later leased to another copra company and entirely planted with coconut palms.
[edit] Administration
The atoll is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Maupiti, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands.
Presently Maupihaa is listed as permanently uninhabited.
[edit] Alternate names
- Mopelia
- Maupelia
- Mopihaa
- Maupihoa
- Mapetia
- Lord Howe Island
[edit] References
- ^ Society Islands - Maupihaa. oceandots.com (2007-01-14).
- ^ Living Archipelagos - Proposed Sites. livingarchipelagos.org (2007-01-14).
[edit] External links
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