Kauehi

Kauehi, or Putake,[2] is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Raraka Atoll, located 17 km to the Southeast.

Kauehi
NASA picture of Kauehi Atoll
Kauehi
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates15°52′S 145°8′W
ArchipelagoTuamotus
Area320 km2 (120 sq mi)  (lagoon)
16 km2 (6 sq mi) (above water)
Length24 km (14.9 mi)
Width18 km (11.2 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
Administrative subdivisionÎles Tuamotu-Gambier
CommuneFakarava
Largest settlementTearavero
Demographics
Population257[1] (2012)

Kauehi Atoll is roughly kidney-shaped and has a wide lagoon; length 24 km, width 18 km. The atoll has a lagoon area of 320 km2 (124 sq mi), and a land area of 16 km2 (6 sq mi). Kauehi's lagoon has one navigable pass.

Kauehi Atoll has 257 inhabitants as of 2012. The main village is called Tearavero.[3]

History

Even though Kauehi Atoll was probably well known to the pearl traders, the first recorded European to visit it was the Beagle's captain Robert FitzRoy in 1835.[3][4]

Kauehi was later visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838–1842. Charles Wilkes called the atoll "Vincennes" after his ship.[5]

There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Kauehi which was inaugurated in 2001.[6]

Administration

Kauehi Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.

References
  1. "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  2. Young, J.L. (1899). "Names of the Paumotu Islands, with the old names so far as they are known". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 8 (4): 264–268. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  3. Kauehi on tahitiheritage.pf
  4. Les Atolls des Tuamotu, Jacques Bonvallot, Institut de recherche pour le développement, nakladateľstvo IRD , 1994, ISBN 9782709911757, p. 275-282.
  5. United States Exploring Expedition
  6. Kauehi Airport

Kauehi fue descubierto por Fitz-Roy en 1835, aunque probablemente ya era conocido por los comerciantes de perlas. Era conocido con el nombre de Vincennes.


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