Manuhangi (also known as Te Fara
) is an atoll of the
Tuamotu Archipelago
The Tuamotu Archipelago or the Tuamotu Islands (, officially ) are a French Polynesian chain of just under 80 islands and atolls in the southern Pacific Ocean. They constitute the largest chain of atolls in the world, extending (from northwest to ...
in
French Polynesia
French Polynesia ( ; ; ) is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole #Governance, overseas country. It comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than in the Pacific Ocean, South Pacific Ocean. The t ...
. It is located 68 km southeast of
Nengonengo, 52 km west of
Paraoa and 845 km east of
Tahiti
Tahiti (; Tahitian language, Tahitian , ; ) is the largest island of the Windward Islands (Society Islands), Windward group of the Society Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France. It is located in the central part of t ...
.
[ ''Oceandots.com'']
Manuhangi Atoll is small in size,
[ with a length of 5.4 km and a maximum width of 3.6 km. It has an oval shape and a coral reef completely enclosing a small lagoon. Manuhangi has a hook-shaped island covering the east and northeast of its reef.
]
History
The old Paumotu (Tuamotu's inhabitants) called this small atoll "manu hagi" (meaning "the loving bird").[Manuhangi Atoll]
''Privateislandsonline.com'' The atoll has been uninhabited for many years.[
The first recorded European who arrived to Manuhangi was English navigator ]Samuel Wallis
Post-captain, Captain Samuel Wallis (23 April 1728 – 21 January 1795) was a Royal Navy officer and explorer who made the first recorded visit by a European navigator to Tahiti.
Biography
Wallis was born at Fenteroon Farm, near Camelfo ...
in 1767.[ He named it "Cumberland".
]
Administration
Administratively Manuhangi belongs to the commune of Hao (main village: Otepa), which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, Manuhangi (no permanent inhabitant) and Paraoa (uninhabited).
Flora and fauna
Manuhangi is a protected area and various species of birds are found in the atoll.[ Part of the land is planted with coconut palms.][Manuhangi Atoll]
''Pavilionsofsplendourinternational.com'' Apart from the birds, the fauna of the island primarily consists of coconut crabs.[
]
Economy and infrastructure
Tahitian black pearls are collected and cultivated in the surrounding islands.[ The island has some houses with permanent structures, cisterns, and water supply from natural wells.][ Manuhangi has no permanent inhabitant.]
References
Atolls of the Tuamotus
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