Taravai
Encyclopedia
Taravai is the second largest island in the Gambier Islands
of French Polynesia
, at 5.7 km². Taravai is located at 23°08′12"S 135°01′33"W, about 1.5 km southwest of Mangareva
, and about 300 m north of the island of Angakauitai. Off its eastern shore lies the tiny rock Îlot Motu-o-ari.
The village named Agonoko is located near the main bay on the island's eastern shore. With a remaining population of three (census
of 2002), it is almost abandoned. Former villages were Aga-nui (northwest) and Agakau-i-uta (southeast).
The Onemea archaeological site suggests sporadic occupation of the island around AD 950 with a possible continuous settlement since the 13th century.
Before the conversion to Christianity, the king of Taravai was a vassal to the king of Rikitea
in Mangareva.
Gambier Islands
There was a time when the Gambiers hosted a population of several thousand people and traded with other island groups including the Marquesas, the Society Islands and Pitcairn Islands...
of 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...
, at 5.7 km². Taravai is located at 23°08′12"S 135°01′33"W, about 1.5 km southwest of Mangareva
Mangareva
Mangareva is the central and most important island of the Gambier Islands in French Polynesia. It is surrounded by smaller islands: Taravai in the southwest, Aukena and Akamaru in the southeast, and islands in the north...
, and about 300 m north of the island of Angakauitai. Off its eastern shore lies the tiny rock Îlot Motu-o-ari.
The village named Agonoko is located near the main bay on the island's eastern shore. With a remaining population of three (census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2002), it is almost abandoned. Former villages were Aga-nui (northwest) and Agakau-i-uta (southeast).
The Onemea archaeological site suggests sporadic occupation of the island around AD 950 with a possible continuous settlement since the 13th century.
Before the conversion to Christianity, the king of Taravai was a vassal to the king of Rikitea
Rikitea
Rikitea is a village located on Mangareva island. It is the chief town of the Gambier Islands, French Polynesia. It is served by the Totegegie Airport....
in Mangareva.