Aratika[2] is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Kauehi Atoll, located 35 km to the south east.
 NASA picture of Aratika Atoll | |
  Aratika | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°32′S 145°32′W / 15.533°S 145.533°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 145 km2 (56 sq mi) (lagoon) 8.3 km2 (3 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 20.8 km (12.92 mi) |
| Width | 10.7 km (6.65 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Commune | Fakarava |
| Largest settlement | Paparara |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 160[1] (2012) |
| Pop. density | 19/km2 (49/sq mi) |
Aratika has an unusual butterfly shape. Its length is 20.8 km2 (8.0 sq mi) and its maximum width 10.7 km2 (4.1 sq mi) . It has a land area of approximately 8.3 km2 (3.2 sq mi) . The lagoon is wide and deep, and can be entered by two navigable passes.[3]
Aratika had 160 inhabitants in 2012. The main village is called Paparara.
History
editAratika appears in some maps as "Carlshoff Island." This atoll was visited by the Charles Wilkes expedition on September 3, 1839. Prior to the pearl market slump at the turn of the century, Aratika was home to about 2000 people, thereafter dropping to about 200.
Aratika has a private airfield which opened in 1998 and is owned by the Fourcade company. Much of the island's main infrastructure, including the school and many businesses from Paparara village, were moved for ease of access to and from the airstrip.
The population has been slowly declining. It is cut in half when the children go to school at the age of 11, as there is only a primary school on the island which has one class for 3-11 year olds.
Administration
editAratika Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.
Images & Maps
edit-
Image Source: ISS005-E-13941 -
Image Source: Landsat S-06-15_2000 (1:115,000) -
Map Source: EVS Precision Map (1:150,000)
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References
edit- ^ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 24 September 2014.
- ^ Young, J.L. (1899). "Names of the Paumotu Islands, with the old names so far as they are known". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 8 (4): 264–268. Archived from the original on 10 February 2012. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
- ^ Cruising World. 1979. p. 3-PA92. Retrieved February 28, 2018.
- Pictures
- Aratika-Nord Airport
- Charles Wilkes Expedition (in French)
External links
edit- Aratika Atoll FP (EVS Islands)
- Shuttle Image ISS005-E-13941 (Astronaut Photography)
- "Aratika Atoll FP (Oceandots.com)". Archived from the original on December 23, 2010. Retrieved March 14, 2009.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link) - Tuamotu Atolls List (Pacific Image)
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