Tahuata

French commune|nomcommune=Tahuata
map_size=280px
adjustable_

---

mapcaption=Location of the commune (in red) within the Marquesas Islands
overseas collectivity=French Polynesia
lat_long=
administrative subdivision=Marquesas Islands
commune centre=Vaitahu
insee=98746
cp=98743
mayor=Teaiki Félix Barsinas
|mandat=
longitude=|latitude=
alt moy=|alt mini=0 m|alt maxi=1,050 m
km²=69
sans=671
date-sans=Aug. 2007 census
dens=9.7|date-dens=2007 census|

Tahuata is the smallest of the inhabited Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. It is located 4 km (2.5 mi.) to the south of the western end of Hiva Oa, across the Canal du Bordelais, called Ha‘ava in Marquesan.

Administration

Administratively, Tahuata forms the commune (municipality) of Tahuata, part of the administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands. This commune consists solely of the island of Tahuata itself.

The administrative centre of the commune is the settlement of Vaitahu, on the western side of the island.

Geography

Tahuata is approx. 69 km² (26.6 sq. mi.) The highest point on the island is Mount Amatea (French: "Mont Amatea"), rising to an elevation of 1,050 m (3,445 ft.).

Demographics

The 2007 census population was 671.

History

Archæological evidence indicates that Tahuata was inhabited by Polynesians as early as 200 CE.

In later pre-European times, the tribes of Tahuata were allied with the tribes from the Nuku province of Hiva Oa, and the island was considered a dependency of that province.

The first European explorers disembarked on Tahuata in 1595, beginning with the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira at Vaitahu, followed by Captain James Cook in 1774 and Admiral Dupetit-Thouars in 1842, who signed the treaty annexing the Marquesas Islands to France.

Communications

Because there is insufficient level ground for even a small runway, the island is served by the airport on Hiva Oa. This serves to give the island a feeling of much greater isolation, despite its proximity to Hiva Oa.

ee also

*French Polynesia