Napuka

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NASA picture of Napuka Atoll

Napuka, or Pukaroa, is a small coral atoll in the Disappointment Islands, in the northeastern part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located only 15 km to the southeast of Tepoto Nord, its nearest neighbor, forming a small group. These two atolls are quite isolated, the nearest land being Fangatau Atoll 170 km to the south.

Napuka Atoll is 10.5 km long and about 4 km wide. Its reef is quite broad, completely enclosing the lagoon. The total dry land area of the 30 islands on Napuka's reef is 8 km². The surface of the lagoon is 18 km².

Napuka has 257 inhabitants according to the 2002 census. The main village is Tepukamaruia (Te Puka Maru Ia).

1 History
2 Administration
3 References
4 External links

[edit] History

The first recorded European to reach Napuka Atoll was British explorer John Byron in 1765. He named Napuka and Tepoto "Disappointment Islands" because the natives were of a hostile disposition.

Napuka was visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. This atoll was most probably the one that Charles Wilkes called "Wytoohee" or "Wutoohee".

The airport in Napuka was inaugurated in 1977.

[edit] Administration

Napuka Atoll is the head of the commune of Napuka, which consists of the atolls of Napuka and Tepoto Nord.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Atoll list (in French)

Coordinates: 14°12′S, 141°15′W

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