NASA picture of Manihi Atoll |
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 13 km2 (5 sq mi) |
| Highest point | Unnamed 9 m |
| Country | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Manihi commune |
| Largest city | Paeua |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 818[1] (as of 2007 census) |
Manihi, or Paeua, is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago, part of French Polynesia. It is one of the northernmost of the Tuamotus, located in the King George subgroup. The closest land to Manihi is Ahe Atoll, located 14 km to the west. The total population is 816 inhabitants.[1]
Contents |
Manihi is a relatively large elongated atoll, Its oval-shaped lagoon measures about 10 km (6 mi.) across and 20 km (12 mi.) long, and is ringed by innumerable islets. The lagoon is well-known among snorkelers for its beautiful and diverse marine fauna, including, among other species, the manta ray. There is only one pass to enter the lagoon, located close to the atoll's southern end. It is known as Passe de Tairapa.
The chief village is Paeua. Another important village, Turipaoa, is located in the south-western part of the atoll, and is home to about 400 inhabitants. Several of the islands are inhabited, by populations ranging from single individuals to as many as 400.
The first recorded Europeans to arrive to Manihi were Dutch explorers Jacob le Maire and Willem Schouten on their 1615-1616 Pacific journey. They called this atoll "Waterland Island".
British explorer John Byron, who reached Manihi in June 1765, called the atoll "Prince of Wales Island".
Manihi Airport was inaugurated in 1994.
On Manihi are located two ancient Polynesian ceremonial platforms (marae in Tuamotuan), constructed of blocks of coral.
Manihi Atoll is today home to a great number of pearl farms, and is the original home of the highly prized Polynesian black pearls.
There is now a five star resort on Manihi, called the Pearl Beach Manihi resort, which has overwater bungalows in the lagoon.
There is one airfield on the atoll: Manihi Airport. It is located close to Turipaoa and is served by the local airline Air Tahiti.
The atoll is the chef-lieu of the commune of Manihi which consists of the atolls of Manihi and Ahe. The current mayor of the commune is Jeannot Mataoa (mandate: 2008-2014).[2]
|
||||||||||||||||||||