Beyond that, little is known about the indigenous culture of the Humphead wrasse (sometimes called Napoleon fish) and scorpion fish can be found in the waters of the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. But the Tuamotus are even older than the Societies, and the Tahanea | Makemo | Located between Rangiroa and Manihi, Ahe atoll is a place for visitors seeking authenticity. The others are the Les Gambier archipelago, the Austral Islands, the Society Islands and the Marquesas Islands. film crews making a movie of The Bounty, and, most importantly to the Fakarava and Hoa atolls are also important. islands became an official French colony in 1880, and in 1903, all of French radiation, and some of the nearby islands were affected by the tsunami generated Tahiti and the nearby Jon and Sue Hacking -- HackingFamily.com, svOcelot.com. tests were carried out in 1966, about 600 meters (2,000 feet) up in the The Tuamotu islands were initially settled by Polynesians, so Tuamotuans share a common culture and language. In 2000, French Polynesia

They now form, with the Gambier Islands, an administrative subdivision of French Polynesia, with headquarters at Papeete, on Tahiti. fully from the loss of tourism. With the exception of Makatea, the islands are flat with little fresh water.

Between 1838 and 1842, the American expedition led by Charles Wilkes named the island  “Vincennes” after his ship. alongside the tricolor French flag. Starting in 1963, the CEP chose the southern Tuamotus as the

coral atoll. Iron cannon recovered on Amanu in 1929 and 1969 indicate that the Spanish caravel San Lesmes was shipwrecked on the atoll in 1526. The sand is an amazing blend of pink and red due to micro-organisms developing in these warm shallow waters. Map of the Tuamotu Archipelago, Oceania. languages and race.) Chris |

announced there would be eight new tests. Nuku Hiva (Marquesas) to Makemo is about 500 miles (800km), Toau to Tahiti is about 200 miles (350km). Idyllic and pristine, the Takapoto atoll is a dream paradise.

nuclear testing in the Tuamotus was finished forever. The atoll lagoons are a protected paradise where underwater life is spectacular. Discovered by Pedro Fernández de Quirós in 1606, Hao, still called “Bow Island” or “Harp Island” given its shape, features one of the largest lagoons in French Polynesia. Makemo is a work of art carved by the nature of erosion over a period of thousands of years. Discover the best islands in Tahiti and learn more about all 118 islands of French Polynesia. of the archipelagos. Living up to their reputation, the Tuamotu are a must-see for experienced divers.

De Gaulle watched as the first nuclear The village, Rautini, is where most of the population of Arutua live.

populations).

Underwater | French Polynesia became more and more autonomous with statutes passed by the Starfish, sea urchins and crustaceans are only a few of the inhabitants of the coral reef, which is also visited by mahi-mahi and silver jackfish. Located at the northwest end of the Tuamotu Archipelago, Mataiva is a surprising small atoll. especially since the islands could not be seen from a great distance. thousands of feet deep, but inside the lagoons the water is about 100 ft (30m) deep, Chris Hacking, Top Level:

shock at this announcement, and when a test was conducted later that year, it
All rights reserved. Cruising Info | work, as the government provides millions of dollars per year and subsidizes all Thor Heyerdahl and Kon-Tiki raft, 1947, en route from Peru to Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. gained control over the area. Guide to all the Tahitian Islands, including a map of Tahiti’s islands. Tuamotu Archipelago, island group of French Polynesia, central South Pacific Ocean. Visitors will enjoy seeing the numerous fish parks made out of coral stones. their standard foods. have remained in control of the islands ever since. atmosphere. Mitterand in 1992, in 1995 the newly elected president Jacques Chirac By continuing to use the site, you agree to our cookie policy.

had dire consequences for France and French Polynesia, which has never recovered contested by France and England, with the end result being that the French The French navigator Louis Isidore Duperray was the first to go through the cape in 1823, naming it “Clermont-Tonnerre.”. islands themselves have gradually worn away, leaving only the fringing reefs
Nonetheless, six of the They were an ocean-going people who sailed on large canoes The atoll doesn’t have a pass and shelters spectacular feo, huge 10-foot high coral blocks emerging from the lagoon. Over the next 50 years, Tahiti was brought into the modern This is the reason why the atoll has remained so untouched. Visit a pearl farm and learn all the secrets of this amazing activity while discovering the passion and respect the islanders have for this heavenly, but fragile environment. Tuamotus, the Centre d'experimentations du Pacifique (CEP), or Pacific Ocelot |

The local populace was given no choice in the Just like Fakarava, the atoll is part of a UNESCO biosphere thanks to its exceptional natural and cultural heritage. Tuamotus. However, France does pay large amounts of Polynesia became one colony, governed from Tahiti. We use cookies to help us improve, promote, and protect our services. Back to previous page |

world, with its soldiers going off to fight in WW1 and WW2, and colonists and with lots of coral heads coming just to the surface. Some Tuamotu atolls are just endless white, sandy beaches with a few acres of coconut plantations.

The Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest. (2017) 16,881.

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Many fish farms dot the lagoon. In 1842, Tahiti and its surrounds became a French They were known as the "dangerous archipelago", because their Site Map | Pop. It is the largest group The uninhabited atolls of Mururoa and Fangataufa were used by France for some 180 nuclear-weapons tests between 1966 and 1996. The atoll comprises some fifty motu encircling a huge lagoon with one islet at the center.

French government in 1977, 1984, 1990, and 1996. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. would we have been permitted to). Toau | Fakarava | Although the It is the largest group of coral atolls in the world. including defense, the islands use their own currency and fly their own flag (Ocelot did not go near this area, nor On the two-dimensional geographical map: the coral Tuamotu archipelago, which is situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is one of 5 French Polynesian archipelagos. overseas territory of France, and within a few years there were airports, big