Aratika

Location of Aratika Atoll

Aratika is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Kauehi Atoll, located 35 km to the south east.

Aratika has an unusual butterfly shape. Its length is 20.8 km and its maximum width 10.7 km. The lagoon is wide and deep, and can be entered by two navigable passes.

Aratika has 240 inhabitants. The main village is called Paparara.

History

Aratika appears in some maps as "Carlshoff Island". This atoll was visited by the Charles Wilkes expedition on September 3 1839.

There is a private airfield in this atoll which opened in 1998. It is owned by the Fourcade company.

Administration

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

Images & Maps

Image Source: ISS005-E-13941   Image Source: Landsat S-06-15_2000 (1:115,000)   Map Source: EVS Precision Map (1:150,000)

References

• Pictures
• Aratika-Nord Airport
• Young, J.L. (December 1899), "Names of the Paumotu Islands", Journal of the Polynesian Society 8 (4): 264–268, http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_8_1899/Volume_8,_No._4,_December_1899/Names_of_the_Paumotu_Islands,_by_J.L._Young,_p_264-268?action=null 
• Charles Wilkes Expedition (French)

External links

• Aratika Atoll FP (EVS Islands)
• Shuttle Image ISS005-E-13941 (Astronaut Photography)
• Aratika Atoll FP (Oceandots.com)
• Tuamotu Atolls List (Pacific Image)

v • d • e Tuamotu Archipelago and Gambier Islands of French Polynesia Tuamotus Gambiers Islands/Atolls:  Ahe • Ahunui • Akiaki • Amanu • Anaa* • Anuanuraro • Anuanurunga • Apataki • Aratika • Arutua* • Faaite • Fakahina • Fakarava* • Fangatau* • Fangataufa • Hao* • Haraiki • Hereheretue • Hikueru* • Hiti • Katiu • Kauehi • Kaukura • Makatea • Makemo* • Manihi* • Manuhangi • Maria Est • Marokau • Marutea (North) • Marutea (South) • Mataiva • Matureivavao • Morane • Moruroa • Motutunga • Napuka* • Nengonengo • Niau • Nihiru • Nukutavake* • Nukutepipi • Paraoa • Pinaki • Puka Puka* • Pukaruha • Rangiroa* • Raraka • Raroia • Ravahere • Reao* • Reitoru • Rekareka • Taenga • Tahanea • Taiaro • Takapoto • Takaroa* • Takume • Tatakoto* • Tauere • Tekokota • Tematangi • Temoe • Tenararo • Tenarunga • Tepoto (North) • Tepoto (South) • Tikehau • Tikei • Toau • Tuanake • Tureia* • Vahanga • Vahitahi • Vairaatea • Vanavana * commune administration center Island groups:  Acteon • Disappointment • Duke of Gloucester • King George • Two Groups • Palliser • Raeffksy Archipelagos of French Polynesia:  Australs • Gambiers • Marquesas • Societies • Tuamotus

Coordinates: 15°29′S 145°30′W / 15.483°S 145.5°W / -15.483; -145.5

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