Taravai
Taravai is the second largest island in the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia, at 5.7 km². Taravai is about 1.5 km southwest of Mangareva and about 300 m north of the island of Angakauitai. Off its eastern shore lies the tiny rock Îlot Motu-o-ari.
 View of Taravai | |
  Taravai | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 23°08′12″S 135°01′33″W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi) |
| Highest elevation | 256 m (840 ft) |
| Highest point | (unnamed) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Gambier Islands |
| Largest settlement | Agonoko |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 9[1] (2012) |
The village named Agonoko is located near the main bay on the island's eastern shore. It has a population of 9 (as of 2012). Former villages were Aga-nui (northwest) and Agakau-i-uta (southeast).[2]
The Onemea archaeological site suggests sporadic occupation of the island around AD 950 with a possible continuous settlement since the 13th century.[3]
Before the conversion to Christianity, the king of Taravai was a vassal to the king of Rikitea in Mangareva.[4]
View of Taravai and Angakauitai from Mount Mokoto
Church of Saint-Gabriel
Taravai
References
- "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
- Goodbye Gambiers
- The Onemea site (Taravai Island, Mangareva) and the human colonization of Southeastern Polynesia. Archaeology in Oceania
- R. W. Williamson, The Social and Political Systems of Central Polynesia, Cambridge University Press, 1924
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Taravai. |
 Tuamotus  Gambiers | Islands/Atolls |  | |
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| Island groups | |||
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