Kaukura is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia, 48 km (30 mi) long and 15 km (9.3 mi) wide. It is located in the western area of the archipelago, 58 km (36 mi) SW of Rangiroa. The closest land is Arutua Atoll, only 16 km (9.9 mi) to the East.
Kaukura Atoll is elongated, with a length of 46 km (29 mi) and a maximum width of 14 km (8.7 mi). The northern reef rim is narrow, while the southern is broad. There are two groups of 65 islets. The surface of Kaukura's lagoon is 436 km2 (168 sq mi). It has only one navigable pass cutting through the reef.
The most important island is Motu Panao, located in the Northwest of the Atoll. Kaukura has 353 inhabitants; the main village is Raitahiti.
Geographically Kaukura belongs to the Palliser Islands (Îles Palliser) subgroup of the Tuamotus.
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The first recorded European to arrive to Kaukura was Dutch Navigator Jakob Roggeveen on his expedition for the Dutch West India Company to seek Terra Australis in 1722.[1]
Formerly fishing was the main occupation of Kaukura's islanders. But presently tourism has replaced the traditional activities as a source of income.[2]
There is a small airport at Kaukura which was opened in 1994.[3]
Kaukura belongs to the commune of Arutua. The commune of Arutua consists of Arutua, as well as the atolls of Apataki and Kaukura.
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