Manihi

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Coordinates: 14°27′S 146°04′W / -14.45, -146.067

NASA picture of Manihi Atoll.

Manihi, or Paeua, is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago. It is one of the northernmost of the Tuamotus, located in the King George subgroup.

The closest land to Manihi is Ahe Atoll, located 14 Km to the west.

Manihi is a relatively large elongated atoll, Its oval-shaped lagoon measures about 10 km (6 mi.) across and 20 km (12 mi.) long, and is ringed by innumerable islets. The lagoon is well-known among snorkelers for its beautiful and diverse marine fauna, including, among other species, the manta ray. There is only one pass to enter the lagoon, located close to the atoll's southern end. It is known as Passe de Tairapa.

Manihi Atoll is today home to a great number of pearl farms, and is the original home of the highly prized Polynesian black pearls. Several of the islands are inhabited, by populations ranging from single individuals to as many as 400. The total population is 838 inhabitants.

The chief village is Paeua. Another important village, Turipaoa, is located in the southwestern part of the atoll, and is home to about 400 inhabitants. The atoll's only airfield, served by the local airline Air Tahiti, is located close to it.

1 History
2 Administration
3 References
4 External links
5 See also

[edit] History

On Manihi are located two ancient Polynesian ceremonial platforms (marae in Tuamotuan), constructed of blocks of coral.

The first recorded Europeans to arrive to Manihi were Dutch explorers Jacob le Maire and Willem Schouten on their 1615-1616 Pacific journey. They called this atoll "Waterland Island".

British explorer John Byron, who reached Manihi in June 1765, called the atoll "Prince of Wales Island".

There is now a one five star resort on Manihi, called the Pearl Beach Manihi resort, which has overwater bungalows in the lagoon.

Manihi Airport was inaugurated in 1994.

[edit] Administration

The commune of Manihi consists of the atolls of Manihi and Ahe.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Atoll list (in French)

[edit] See also

Manihi Airport

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