Vairaatea
Atoll in French Polynesia
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Vairaatea is a small atoll of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Geographically Vairaatea Atoll is part of the East-central subgroup of the Tuamotus, which includes Ahunui, Amanu, Fangatau, Hao and Nukutavake. Nukutavake, the closest land, lies 41 kilometres (25 miles) to the east.[2]
3 km2 (1 sq mi) (above water)
NASA picture of Vairaatea Atoll | |
  Vairaatea | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 19°21′S 139°13′W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 13 km2 (5.0 sq mi) (lagoon) 3 km2 (1 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Width | 4 km (2.5 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Commune | Nukutavake |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 57[1] (2012) |
Vairaatea Atoll measures 8 kilometres (5 miles) in length and its width is about 4 kilometres (2 miles). Its reef has a roughly triangular shape. There are two long islands on it. The reef completely encloses a 13-square-kilometre (5-square-mile) lagoon.[2] Landing on this atoll is difficult on account of the surf and the lack of a safe anchorage.
In 1989, Vairaatea was inhabited by eight families living in a village at the northern end of Puka Runga, the only inhabited island. According to the 2012 census, 57 people were living in Vairaatea,[1] a drop from 70 in 1996.
History
The first recorded European to arrive at Vairaatea was the Spanish explorer Pedro Fernández de Quirós on the 9 February 1606. He named this atoll San Miguel Arcángel. However his captains Prado y Tovar and Vaéz de Torres refer to it as Santa Polonia as it was sighted on the day of this Christian martyr.[3]
Englishman Samuel Wallis visited Vairaatea in 1767. He named it "Lord Egmont". In some maps, it also appears as "Industriel".
