Niau

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Coordinates: 16°09.25′S, 146°21.34′W

NASA picture of Niau Atoll.

Niau is a small atoll in French Polynesia, in the commune of Fakarava (Tuamotu archipelago). This atoll has broad fringing reef and an area of 20 km².

Niau's lagoon is swampy, hypersaline and entirely enclosed. The narrow strip of land surrounding the lagoon is coveredy by marsh vegetation. The lagoon area is 3,3 km² and it has an unusual green color.

The only human settlement on Niau is Tupana, population 136 (as of 2002).

1 History
2 Administration
3 Ecology
4 Niau airport
5 References
6 External links

[edit] History

The first recorded European to visit Niau was Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this island "Greig".

[edit] Administration

Niau is administratively part of the commune of Fakarava, which consists of the island Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.

[edit] Ecology

On Niau there is a remainder of the original Tuamotu tropical moist forest. This type of forest has disappeared in practically all other atolls.

The small-sized Tuamotu Kingfisher Todiramphus gambieri lives now exclusively in the Island of Niau. This critically endangered bird disappeared from the Gambier Islands long ago.

[edit] Niau airport

There is an airstrip on the northern tip of the atoll (ICAO: NTKN).

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Atoll list (in French)

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