Fakahina

Fakahina, or Kaīna, is a small atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fangatau Atoll, located 72 Km to the WNW.

Fakahina Atoll's length is 9 Km and its maximum width 6.3 Km. There is no pass connecting the lagoon with the ocean.

Fakahina has 140 inhabitants. The most important village is Tarione.

History

The ancient Ma'ohi people used this atoll as a site for sacrifices.

The first recorded European to arrive to Fakahina Atoll was Otto von Kotzebue, sailing in the service of the Russian tsars, in 1824. This atoll appears as "Predpriati" in some maps.

Part of the population of Fakahina was moved to Puka-Puka to work in the production of copra.

There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Fakahina which was inaugurated in 1985.

Administration

Fakahina belongs to the commune of Fangatau, which consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina.

References

* [http://www.oceandots.com/pacific/tuamotu/fakahina.htm ]
* [http://www.iero.org/sites/fenua/tuamotus/fakahina/index.html History]
* [http://www.tahitiguide.com/@en-us/8/5/34/article.asp Ma'ohi people]
* [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 Atoll names]
* [http://www.world-airport-codes.com/french-polynesia/fakahina-2262.html Fakahina Airport]

External links

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

ee also

*Fakahina Airport