Maupiti

Coordinates: 16°25′S 152°15′W / 16.417°S 152.25°W / -16.417; -152.25

For the administrative commune which includes the island, see Maupiti (commune); for the video game, see Maupiti Island (game)

NASA picture of Maupiti.

Maupiti supply ship
The blue barrels on the dock are noni which is sent to Papeete for processing.

Maupiti is a small coral atoll with a volcanic island in its midst.

Geography

Maupiti is located to the west of the Leeward Islands in French Polynesia. It is the westernmost volcanic high island in the archipelago, 40 km west of Bora Bora. The central island of Maupiti has a high peak of 380 metres and a surface area of 11 square kilometers. The lagoon has large and flat coral islands in its northern reef half and two motus on both sides of the pass at its southern end.

Population

At the August 2007 census, the island population was about 1,200 people.

Economy

The primary economic activity on Maupiti is noni production.

History

There are ancient Polynesian archaeological artefacts dating from at least AD 850 in Maupiti. The first European to arrive on the island was the Dutchman Jakob Roggeveen in 1722. Historically, the island has had strong cultural links with Bora Bora.

Administration

Maupiti is administratively part of the commune (municipality) of Maupiti, itself in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands. The main settlement is Vaiea.

References

• [1]

External links

• Atoll list (in French)