- Makemo
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Makemo
NASA picture of Makemo Atoll. 
Location of Makemo in the Tuamotu Archipelago Administration Country France Overseas collectivity French Polynesia Administrative subdivision Îles Tuamotu-Gambier Statistics Land area 100 km2 (39 sq mi) Population1 1,422 (2007) - Density 14 /km2 (36 /sq mi) 1 Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. Coordinates: 16°35′55″S 143°39′41″W / 16.598525°S 143.661258°W
Makemo, Rangi-kemo or Te Paritua, is one of the larger of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia.
Makemo Atoll measures 70 km in length with an average width of 5–8 km. It is the fourth largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in terms of lagoon surface, with a lagoon of over 600 km² in area.[1] Despite its size, Makemo's lagoon has only two navigable passes.
Makemo Atoll has 914 inhabitants; the main village is named Pouheva with a population of 300. The village has a wharf and a boarding school of 150 children from neighbouring islands. It also hosts Makemo Airport, located to the west of Pouheva.
Contents
History
Makemo is the home of legendary Polynesian hero Moeava.
The first recorded European to arrive to Makemo Atoll was English pearl merchant John Buyers commanding the Margaret (brig) on 10 March 1803 on the same day he discovered Taenga. He named the atoll "Phillips Island", after a late sheriff of London, Sir Richard Phillips. In some maps Makemo appears as "Kutusov".
Makemo territorial (domestic) airport was opened in 1976.
Administration
The commune of Makemo consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.
References
External links
Categories:- Atolls of the Tuamotus
- Communes of French Polynesia
- French Polynesia geography stubs
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