Motutunga
Atoll in French Polynesia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Motutunga Atoll[2] is an uninhabited atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 17 km to the east of Tahanea Atoll.
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates17°04′S 144°17′W
ArchipelagoTuamotus
Area126 km2 (49 sq mi) (lagoon)
2.5 km2 (0.97 sq mi) (above water)
2.5 km2 (0.97 sq mi) (above water)
NASA picture of Motutunga Atoll | |
  Motutunga | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 17°04′S 144°17′W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 126 km2 (49 sq mi) (lagoon) 2.5 km2 (0.97 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 15 km (9.3 mi) |
| Width | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Anaa |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited[1] (2012) |
Motutunga Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 15 km in length with a maximum width of 14 km. The reef surrounding the atoll is continuous, leaving no channels deep enough for ships to reach the lagoon. Motutunga's lagoon has a surface of 126 km2.
History
Motutunga Atoll was first sighted by James Cook on 13 August 1773 who named it Adventure, after the name of his own ship.[2][3]
Spanish navigator Domingo de Boenechea sighted the atoll, which he called San Blas, on 9 November 1774 from ship Aguila.[4][5]
