Taiohae

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Taiohae (sometimes also spelt Tai o Hae; another name is Hakapehi), located at the head of a wide bay of the same name, on the south side of Nuku Hiva, is the principal settlement of Nuku Hiva. It is the administrative centre of the commune (municipality) of Nuku-Hiva as well as the capital of the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands, having replaced Atuona (located on Hiva Oa) as the Marquesas' capital.

On either side of the entrance to the bay are two small islands, called "The Sentinels". The western "sentinel" is called Motu Nui, and the eastern one is Mata ‘Ua Puna. The landscape of the town is dominated by Muake, a mountain rising behind the town to an elevation of 864 m (2,835 feet) above sea level, along the southern edge of the Tōvi‘i plateau. The cathedral Notre-Dame des Marquises is located in the eastern part of the town.