Tikehau

Coordinates: 15°07′S 148°13′W / 15.117°S 148.217°W / -15.117; -148.217

Location of Tikehau Atoll

Tikehau is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. It is located in the Palliser group, the westernmost of the Tuamotus. The nearest atoll, Rangiroa lies only 12 km to the east. Mataiva, another atoll of the same group, is located 35 km (21 mi.) to the west.

The atoll's oval-shaped lagoon is 27 km long and 19 km wide. and is surrounded by an almost continuous coral reef. There is a great density of fish and other marine life in the lagoon which was studied by Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

The islands are covered with coconut palms, and support a population of 407 inhabitants. The main village is called Tuherahera. There are also tourist resorts on Tikehau.

History

The russian crew of the Rurik discovers the Krusenstern Islands

The native name of this island derives from tikahau, meaning "peace" or "to be at peace"; an alternative native name is Porutukai.

The first recorded European to arrive to Tikehau was by the Russian mariner Otto von Kotzebue. He called this atoll Krusenstern Island, after Russian explorer Adam Johann von Krusenstern; this name was also applied to other places however. The Wilkes Expedition passed by this atoll on September 9, 1839.

Tikehau has a territorial airport which was inaugurated in 1977.

On a visit in 1987 Jacques Cousteau's research group made a study of Tikehau's lagoon and they discovered that it contains a greater variety of fish species than any other place in French Polynesia.

Images & Maps

Image Source: ISS008-E-17132   Image Source: Landsat S-06-10_2000 and S-06-15_2000   Map Source: EVS Precision Map (1:150,000)   Map Source: Other Map

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tikehau

References

• [1]
• Article from Hydrobiologia
• Atoll names
• Wilkes Expedition
• Historical data
• Birds in Tikehau

External links

• Tikehau Atoll FP (EVS Islands)
• Shuttle Image ISS008-E-17132 (Astronaut Photography)
• Tikehau Atoll FP (Oceandots.com)
• Tuamotu Atolls List (Pacific Image)
• High-resolution picture from the Earth Observatory

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

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