Apataki

Apataki is a coral atoll in the South Pacific Ocean, territorially part of French Polynesia. It is one of the Palliser Islands, a subgroup of the Tuamotu Archipelago. Apataki is located approximately 370 kilometers northeast of the island of Tahiti. Its wide lagoon has two navigable passes to enter it.

Apataki Atoll has 430 inhabitants. The main village is called Niutahi.

History

The first recorded European to sight Apataki Atoll was Dutch navigator Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. It was visited by James Cook in 1774.

Apataki appears in some maps as "Hagemeister Island".

There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Apataki which was inaugurated in 1977.

Administration

Administratively, Apataki Atoll is part of the commune of Arutua.

Economy

Apataki has one airport and a thriving tourism industry. The coconut palm, which forms the basis for copra (dried coconut) production, is of special economic importance to the islanders. On a few islands, the residents cultivate vanilla. Agriculture is generally limited to simple subsistence. Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven together as roof thatch (although corrugated sheet metal is also used today), as well as for other items such as mats and hats.

Apataki's two large reef passes provide excellent diving and surfing, both of which are serviced by local boat-based charter companies. Land-based accommodation does not exist.

Cuisine

Fruit and vegetable staples include yams, taro, and breadfruit, as well as a wide range of tropical fruits.

Flora and fauna

The sparse soil of Apataki cannot sustain a great variety of vegetation.

The animal life on the islands consists mostly of seabirds, landcrabs, insects, and lizards. The underwater fauna, however, is rich and varied, making scuba diving a popular activity for tourists.

References

*cite web | url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Newsroom/NewImages/images.php3?img_id=17205 | title=Apataki Atoll | work=NASA Earth Observatory newsroom | accessdate=2006-04-27
* [http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/tuamotu/apataki.htm]
* [http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/document/Volume_8_1899/Volume_8,_No._4,_December_1899/Names_of_the_Paumotu_Islands,_by_J.L._Young,_p_264-268?action=null names]

External links

* [http://www.pacific-image.pf/pages/boutic/dboutic_cdrom_sp132.html Atoll list (in French)]

ee also

*Apataki Airport