Tuamotus 761753 208336072 2008-04-26T15:39:40Z Ratzer 169604 /* Raeffsky Islands (Îles Raéffsky) */ five more, according to main article {{Infobox Islands | name = Tuamotus | image name = Flag of the Tuamotu Islands.svg | image caption = Flag of the Tuamotu Islands | image size = 150px | locator map = Fp-map.png | native name = Îles Tuamotu | native name link = French language | nickname = | location = [[Pacific Ocean]] | coordinates = | archipelago = [[Polynesia]] | total islands = 78 | major islands = [[Anaa]], [[Fakarava]], [[Hao (French Polynesia)|Hao]], [[Makemo]] | area = 850 km² | highest mount = | elevation = | country = France | country admin divisions title = [[Overseas collectivity]] | country admin divisions = [[French Polynesia]] | country capital city = | country largest city = | country largest city population = | country leader title = | country leader name = | population = 14,876 | population as of = 2002 | density = 18 | ethnic groups = | additional info = }} The '''Tuamotus''' or the '''Tuamotu Archipelago''' ([[French language|French]]: ''Îles Tuamotu'' officially ''Archipel des Tuamotu'') are a chain of atolls in [[French Polynesia]] and the largest chain of [[atoll]]s in the world, spanning an area of the [[Pacific Ocean]] roughly the size of Western [[Europe]]. == Administrative divisions == [[Image:Karta FP Tuamotus isl.PNG|thumb|left|300px|Map of Tuamotus]] The [[Commune in France|communes]] on the Tuamotus are: Anaa, Arutua, Fakarava, Fangatau, Gambier, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Manihi, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Rangiroa, Reao, Takaroa-takapoto, Tatakoto and Tureia. Administratively, the Tuamotus are part of the [[Îles Tuamotu-Gambier]], which form one of the 5 administrative subdivisions (''subdivisions administratives'') of [[French Polynesia]], the administrative subdivision of the Tuamotu-Gambier (Islands) (''subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier'') with 17 communes: The 16 communes Anaa, Arutua, Fakarava, Fangatau, Gambier, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Manihi, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Rangiroa, Reao, Takaroa-takapoto, Tatakoto and Tureia of the Tuamotus and the [[Commune in France|commune]] Gambier, comprising the [[Gambier Islands]]. == Electoral divisions == The communes on Tuamotu are part of two different districts/electoral circumscriptions (''circonscriptions électorales'') for the [[Assembly of French Polynesia]] (''Assemblée de la Polynésie française''): The islands/communes in the eastern part of the Tuamotus, together with the [[Gambier Islands]] (Gambier), form the electoral circumscription of the [[Gambier Islands and the Islands Tuamotu-East]] (''circonscription électorale des Îles Gambier et Tuamotu Est''), one of the 6 electoral districts (''circonscriptions électorales'') for the [[Assembly of French Polynesia]] (''Assemblée de la Polynésie française'') with 12 communes: The commune Gambier on the Gambier Islands and the 11 communes Anaa, Fangatau, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Reao, Tatakoto and Tureia in the eastern part of the Tuamotus. The islands/communes in the western part of the Tuamotus form the electoral circumscription of the [[Islands Tuamotu-West]] (''circonscription électorale des Îles Tuamotu Ouest''), a separate electoral district for the Assembly of French Polynesia, with the 5 communes Arutua, Fakarava, Manihi, Rangiroa and Takaroa in the western part of the Tuamotus. == Demography == At the 2002 census, the Tuamotus (including the Gambier Islands) had a population of 15,862 inhabitants. 769 inhabitants live in a 400 kilometer (250 mile) radius around [[Moruroa]] and [[Fangataufa]], the sites of the French nuclear tests. The language spoken in the Tuamotus is [[Tuamotuan language|Tuamotuan]], a collection of [[Polynesian languages|Polynesian]] dialects, except for in Puka-Puka and the Gambier Islands, where [[Puka-Pukan language|Puka-Pukan]] and [[Mangarevan language|Mangarevan]] are spoken, respectively. == Economy == Today the most important source of income in the Tuamotus is from the cultivation of black [[pearl]]s and the preparation of [[copra]]. Agriculture in the islands is predominantly subsistence in nature. [[Tourism]]-related income remains meager, especially by comparison to the tourism industry of the neighboring [[Society Islands]]. A modest tourism infrastructure is found on the atolls of [[Rangiroa]] and [[Manihi]], two favorite [[scuba diving]] and [[snorkeling]] destinations. == Geography == <!-- Commented out because image was deleted: [[Image:Tuamotus map.jpg|thumb|350px||right| Map of the Tuamotu Archipelago. {{deletable image-caption|1=Tuesday, 25 December 2007}}]] --> Despite the vast spread of the archipelago, it covers a total land area of only about 885 km² (345 sq. mi.). The climate is warm tropical, without pronounced seasons. The annual average temperature is a relatively continuous 26°C (79°F). Water sources such as lakes or rivers are absent, leaving the only source of fresh water as catchments of rain water. The annual average rainfall is 1400 mm (about 55 in.). Rainfall is not markedly different throughout the year, although it is lowest during the months of September and November. ===Major islands=== The group encompasses 78 [[coral]] [[atoll]]s and islands, including: * [[Rangiroa]], the second largest atoll in the world after [[Kwajalein]] * [[Tikehau]] * [[Manihi]], home to many black [[pearl]] farms * [[Fangataufa]] and [[Moruroa]], site of 193 [[France|French]] [[nuclear bomb]] tests between [[1966]] and [[1996]]. ===Island groups=== [[Image:Groupe Acteon.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Map of the Acteon Group.]] Several of the atolls are grouped together and known by group names: ====[[Acteon Group]] (Groupe Actéon)==== *[[Matureivavao]] *[[Tenararo]] *[[Tenarunga]] *[[Vahanga]] ====[[Disappointment Islands]] (Îles du Désappointement)==== *[[Tepoto (North)]] *[[Napuka]] *[[Puka-Puka]] ====[[Duke of Gloucester Islands]] (Îles du Duc de Gloucester)==== *[[Anuanuraro]] *[[Anuanurunga]] *[[Hereheretue]] *[[Nukutepipi]] ====[[King George Islands]] (Îles du Roi Georges)==== *[[Ahe]] *[[Manihi]] *[[Takapoto]] *[[Takaroa]] *[[Tikei]] ====[[Palliser Islands]] (Îles Palliser)==== [[Image:Fakarava-ponton-rotoava.jpg|thumb|300px|right|Fakarava inner lagoon, seen from a pontoon near the village of Rotoava]] :''Numerous atolls comprising the northwestern Tuamotus, and the island of [[Makatea]]: *[[Apataki]] *[[Aratika]] *[[Arutua]] *[[Fakarava]] *[[Kaukura]] *[[Mataiva]] *[[Rangiroa]] *[[Tikehau]] *[[Toau]] *[[Makatea]] ====[[Raeffsky Islands]] (Îles Raéffsky)==== :''Numerous atolls in the central Tuamotus, including [[Tepoto (South)]]'' *[[Anaa]] *[[Faaite]] *[[Fakarava]] *[[Katiu]] *[[Makemo]] *[[Marutea Nord]] *[[Motutunga]] *[[Raraka]] *[[Raroia]] *[[Tahanea]] *[[Takume]] *[[Tepoto (South)|Tepoto]] *[[Haraiki]] *[[Tuanake]] *[[Hiti]] *[[Taenga]] *[[Nihiru]] ====Other islands and atolls in the central area==== *[[Amanu]] *[[Hao (French Polynesia)|Hao]] *[[Hikueru]] *[[Makatea]] *[[Marokau]] *[[Pukarua]] *[[Reitoru]] *[[Vahitahi]] *[[Nukutavake]] ====Other islands and atolls in the north-eastern area==== *[[Fangatau]] *[[Fakahina]] *[[Tatakoto]] *[[Pukarua]] *[[Reao]] ====Other atolls in the south-eastern area==== *[[Tematangi]] *[[Vanavana]] *[[Tureia]] :''The two atolls formerly used for French nuclear testing'' *[[Moruroa]] *[[Fangataufa]] == Flora and fauna == The sparse soil of the coral islands does not permit a diverse vegetation. The [[coconut]] palm, which forms the basis for [[copra]] production, is of special economic importance. On a few islands, [[vanilla]] is also cultivated. Agriculture is generally otherwise limited to simple subsistence. Fruit and vegetable staples include [[yam (vegetable)|yams]], [[taro]], and [[breadfruit]], as well as a wide range of other tropical fruits. [[Pandanus]] leaves are traditionally woven together as roof [[thatch]] (although nowadays there are a great number of corrugated sheet-metal roofs instead), as well as for other items, such as mats and hats. The animal life on the islands is limited to primarily [[bird]]s (mostly [[seabird]]s), [[insect]]s and [[lizard]]s. The [[Tuamotu]]s have only 57 species of [[List of Tuamotu birds|birds]], but 10 are endemic, 13 are globally threatened and one is extinct. The underwater fauna however, is diverse. The beautiful and species-rich reefs make the Tuamotus one of the most scenic scuba-diving destinations in the world. == Geology == All of the islands of the Tuamotus are coral "low islands": essentially high sand bars built upon coral [[reef]]s. [[Makatea]], southwest of the Palliser Islands, is one of three great [[phosphate]] rocks in the [[Pacific Ocean]]. The others are [[Banaba Island|Banaba]] in [[Kiribati]], and the island nation of [[Nauru]]. Although [[geography|geographically]] part of the Tuamotus, the Gambier Islands, at the southeastern extreme of the [[archipelago]], are [[geology|geologically]] and [[culture|culturally]] distinct. == History == The early history of the Tuamotu islands is generally shrouded in mystery. Archaeological findings lead to the conclusion that the western Tuamotus were settled from the [[Society Islands]] by c. 700 A.D. On the islands of [[Rangiroa]], [[Manihi]] and [[Mataiva]], there are flat ceremonial platforms (called ''marae'') made of coral blocks, although their exact age is unknown. The Tuamotus were first discovered by [[Ferdinand Magellan]], during his circumglobal voyage in [[1521]]. His visit was followed by: *[[Portugal|Portuguese]] sailor [[Pedro Fernandes de Queirós]] in [[1606]] *[[Netherlands|Dutch]] mariners [[Willem Schouten]] and [[Jacob Le Maire]] in [[1616]] *[[Jakob Roggeveen]] (who also first sighted [[Easter Island]]) in [[1722]] *[[John Byron]] in [[1765]] *[[Louis Antoine de Bougainville]] in [[1768]] *[[James Cook]] during his first voyage in [[1769]] *[[Germany|German]] navigator [[Otto von Kotzebue]], sailing in the service of the [[Russia]]n [[tsar]]s, in [[1815]] *From the [[Inca Empire]], [[Tupac Inca Yupanqui]] is also credited with leading a circa 10 month-long voyage of exploration into the Pacific around 1480 None of these visits were of political consequence, the islands being in the sphere of influence of the [[Pomare dynasty]] of [[Tahiti]]. At the beginning 18th century the first [[Christianity|Christian]] [[missionary|missionaries]] arrived. The islands' pearls penetrated the European market in the late 1800s, making them a coveted possession. Following the forced abdication of [[Pomare V|King Pomare V]] of [[Tahiti]], the islands were annexed as an overseas [[Territory (country subdivision)|territory]] of [[France]]. The Tuamotus made [[headline]]s around the world in [[1947]], when [[archaeologist]] [[Thor Heyerdahl]], sailing from [[South America]] reached [[Raroia]] on his raft, [[Kon-Tiki]]. More recently the islands have made headlines for French [[nuclear weapons]] testing on the atolls of Mururoa (sometimes called also Moruroa) and Fangataufa. == See also == * [[French overseas departments and territories]] * [[Islands controlled by France in the Indian and Pacific oceans]] == External links == *[http://www.TahitiTourisme.com Official site (Tahiti Tourism board)] *[http://www.presidence.pf/index.php?181 Official site (Geography)] *[http://www.polynesie-francaise.gouv.fr/actualite/elections2004/resultats-definitifs.asp Official site (Administration)] {{sisterlinks|Tuamotus}} {{coor title dms|18|02|27|S|141|24|34|W|region:PF_type:isle}} <!--Navigation boxes--><br /> {{Archipelagos of French Polynesia}} {{Tuamotus}} {{Polynesia}} <!--Categories--> [[Category:Tuamotu| ]] [[Category:Archipelagoes]] <!--Other languages--> [[bg:Туамоту]] [[ca:Tuamotu]] [[cs:Tuamotu]] [[de:Tuamotu-Archipel]] [[es:Archipiélago Tuamotu]] [[fr:Archipel des Tuamotu]] [[gl:Tuamotu]] [[hr:Tuamotu]] [[lt:Tuamotu salos]] [[nl:Tuamotueilanden]] [[ja:トゥアモトゥ諸島]] [[pl:Wyspy Tuamotu]] [[pt:Tuamotu]] [[ty:Tūāmotu mā (Te ta’amotu nō)]] [[ro:Arhipeleagul Tuamotu]] [[ru:Туамоту]] [[sk:Tuamotu]] [[sr:Архипелаг Туамоту]] [[fi:Tuamotu]] [[zh:土阿莫土群岛]]