Raraka
Encyclopedia
Raraka, or Te Marie, is an atoll
in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia
. It lies 17 km to the southeast of Kauehi
Atoll.
The shape of Raraka Atoll is an oval 26 km long and 19 km wide. Its fringing reef has many sandbanks and small motu. This atoll has a wide lagoon with a navigable pass to the ocean.
Raraka Atoll is now uninhabited, but it is occasionally visited by islanders from neighboring atolls. There is a village called Motupapu.
Raraka Atoll in the Tuamotus should not be confused with Raraka in Malaita
, Solomon Islands
(Latitude: 9° 11' 60 S, Longitude: 161° 1' 0 E).
Raraka Atoll was visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. Charles Wilkes
reported: "The next day they reached Raraka Atoll and were allowed ashore to explore it on that and the following day. There they met about 40 peaceful islanders, who had native-born missionary among them. Their chief was missing his left hand, it having been bitten off by a shark."
of Fakarava
, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika
, Kauehi
, Niau
, Raraka, Taiaro
and Toau
.
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
. It lies 17 km to the southeast of Kauehi
Kauehi
Kauehi, or Putake, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia.The nearest land is Raraka Atoll, located 17 km to the Southeast.Kauehi Atoll is roughly kidney-shaped and has a wide lagoon; length 23 km, width 17 km....
Atoll.
The shape of Raraka Atoll is an oval 26 km long and 19 km wide. Its fringing reef has many sandbanks and small motu. This atoll has a wide lagoon with a navigable pass to the ocean.
Raraka Atoll is now uninhabited, but it is occasionally visited by islanders from neighboring atolls. There is a village called Motupapu.
Raraka Atoll in the Tuamotus should not be confused with Raraka in Malaita
Malaita
Malaita is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. A tropical and mountainous island, Malaita's pristine river systems and tropical forests have not been exploited. Malaita is the most populous island of the Solomon Islands, with 140,000 people or more than a third of the...
, Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
(Latitude: 9° 11' 60 S, Longitude: 161° 1' 0 E).
History
The first recorded European to sight Raraka Atoll was Captain Ireland in 1831.Raraka Atoll was visited by the historic United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842. Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes
Charles Wilkes was an American naval officer and explorer. He led the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838-1842 and commanded the ship in the Trent Affair during the American Civil War...
reported: "The next day they reached Raraka Atoll and were allowed ashore to explore it on that and the following day. There they met about 40 peaceful islanders, who had native-born missionary among them. Their chief was missing his left hand, it having been bitten off by a shark."
Administration
Raraka Atoll belongs to the communeCommunes of France
The commune is the lowest level of administrative division in the French Republic. French communes are roughly equivalent to incorporated municipalities or villages in the United States or Gemeinden in Germany...
of Fakarava
Fakarava
Fakarava, Havaiki-te-araro, Havai'i or Farea is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls. The nearest land is Toau Atoll, which lies 14 km to the northwest....
, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika
Aratika
Aratika is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Kauehi Atoll, located 35 km to the south east.Aratika has an unusual butterfly shape. Its length is 20.8 km and its maximum width 10.7 km. The lagoon is wide and deep, and can be entered by two...
, Kauehi
Kauehi
Kauehi, or Putake, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia.The nearest land is Raraka Atoll, located 17 km to the Southeast.Kauehi Atoll is roughly kidney-shaped and has a wide lagoon; length 23 km, width 17 km....
, Niau
Niau
Niau is a small atoll in French Polynesia, in the commune of Fakarava . This atoll has broad fringing reef and an area of 20 km²....
, Raraka, Taiaro
Taiaro
Taiaro, or Maro-taua, is a small atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is one of the smallest of the Tuamotu atolls. Taiaro lies 42 km to the northeast of Raraka Atoll....
and Toau
Toau
Toau, Pakuria, or Taha-a-titi is a coral atoll in French Polynesia, one of the Palliser Islands . Toau has a wide lagoon; length 35 km, width 18 km. The nearest land is Fakarava Atoll, located 14 km to the Southeast....
.