Maupiti

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Coordinates: 16°25′S 152°15′W / -16.417, -152.25

This article is about the island of Maupiti. For the administrative commune which includes the island, see Maupiti (commune).
NASA picture of Maupiti.
NASA picture of Maupiti.

Maupiti is a small coral atoll with a volcanic island in its midst. It is located to the west of the Leeward Islands in French Polynesia. It is the westernmost volcanic high island in the archipelago, 40 km west of Bora Bora.

The central island of Maupiti has a high peak of 380 metres and a surface area of 11 square kilometers. The lagoon has large and flat coral islands in its northern reef half and two motus on both sides of the pass at its southern end.

At the August 2007 census, the island population was about 1,200 people.

The primary economic activity on Maupiti is Noni production.

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[edit] History

Maupiti supply shipThe blue barrels on the dock are Noni which is sent to Papeete for processing.
Maupiti supply ship
The blue barrels on the dock are Noni which is sent to Papeete for processing.

There are ancient Polynesian archaeological artefacts dating from at least AD 850 in Maupiti.

The first European to arrive on the island was the Dutchman Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. Historically, the island has had strong cultural links with Bora Bora.

[edit] Administration

Maupiti is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Maupiti, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands. The main settlement is Vaiea.

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