Manuhangi
Coordinates: 19°14′S 141°15′W / 19.233°S 141.250°W
 NASA picture of Manuhangi Atoll | |
  | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 19°14′S 141°15′W / 19.233°S 141.250°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area |
7 km2 (2.7 sq mi) (lagoon) 1 km² (above water) |
| Length | 5.4 km (3.36 mi) |
| Width | 3.6 km (2.24 mi) |
| Country | |
| Overseas collectivity |
 French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Hao |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited |
Manuhangi (also known as Te Fara[1]) is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 68km southeast of Nengonengo, 52km west of Paraoa and 845km east of Tahiti.[2]
Manuhangi Atoll is small in size,[2] with a length of 5.4 km and a maximum width of 3.6 km. It has an oval shape and a coral reef completely enclosing a small lagoon. Manuhangi has a hook-shaped island covering the east and northeast of its reef.
History
The old Paumotu (Tuamotu’s inhabitants) called this small atoll "manu hagi" (meaning "the loving bird").[3] The atoll has been uninhabited for many years.[3]
The first recorded European who arrived to Manuhangi was English navigator Samuel Wallis in 1767.[3] He named it "Cumberland".
Administration
Administratively Manuhangi belongs to the commune of Hao (main village: Otepa), which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, Manuhangi (no permanent inhabitant) and Paraoa (uninhabited).
Flora and fauna
Manuhangi is a protected area and various species of birds are found in the atoll.[3] Part of the land is planted with coconut palms.[4] Apart from the birds, the fauna of the island primarily consists of coconut crabs.[4]
Economy and infrastructure
Tahitian black pearls are collected and cultivated in the surrounding islands.[3] The island has some houses with permanent structures, cisterns, and water supply from natural wells.[4] Manuhangi has no permanent inhabitant.[5]
References
- ↑ Atoll names Journal of the Polynesian Society
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Manuhangi at the Wayback Machine (archived December 23, 2010) Oceandots.com
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 Manuhangi Atoll Privateislandsonline.com
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Manuhangi Atoll Pavilionsofsplendourinternational.com
- ↑ United Nations Environment Programme, IUCN Commission on National Parks and Protected Areas (1986). Review of the Protected Areas System in Oceania. The World Conservation Union. pp. p207. ISBN 2-88032-509-9.
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