Makemo

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Coordinates: 16°38′S 143°45′W / -16.633, -143.75

NASA picture of Makemo Atoll.

Makemo, Rangi-kemo or Te Paritua, is one of the larger of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia.

Makemo Atoll measures 70 km in length with an average width of 5-8 km. It is the fourth largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in terms of lagoon surface, with a lagoon of over 600 km² in area.^[1] Despite its size, Makemo's lagoon has only two navigable passes.

Makemo Atoll has 914 inhabitants; the main village is named Pouheva with a population of 300. The village has a wharf and a boarding school of 150 children from neighbouring islands. It also hosts Makemo Airport, located to the west of Pouheva.

1 History
2 Administration
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

Makemo is the home of legendary Polynesian hero Moeava.

The first recorded European to arrive to Makemo Atoll was English pearl merchant John Buyers commanding the Margaret (brig) on March 10, 1803 on the same day he discovered Taenga. He named the atoll "Phillips Island", after a late sheriff of London, Sir Richard Phillips. In some maps Makemo appears as "Kutusov".

Makemo territorial (domestic) airport was opened in 1976.

[edit] Administration

The commune of Makemo consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

[edit] References

^ Tuamotu Archipelago - Makemo

[edit] External links

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