Paraoa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates19°08′S 140°43′W / 19.133°S 140.717°W
ArchipelagoTuamotus
Area14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) (lagoon)
4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) (above water)
4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) (above water)
 NASA picture of Paraoa Atoll | |
  Paraoa | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 19°08′S 140°43′W / 19.133°S 140.717°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) (lagoon) 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 8.5 km (5.28 mi) |
| Width | 5.5 km (3.42 mi) |
| Administration | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Commune | Hao |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited[1] (2012) |
Paraoa, Tohora, or Hariri[2] is a small atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 76 km south of Hao Atoll's westernmost point. The closest land is Manuhangi Atoll, 52 km to the west.[3]
Paraoa Atoll is ovular in shape. It measures 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) in length with a maximum width of 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles). Its lagoon is not connected to the ocean by a pass, which makes this small atoll quite inaccessible. Paraoa Atoll is uninhabited.
The first recorded European who arrived to Paraoa was Englishman Samuel Wallis in 1767. He named it "Gloucester".[4]
