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, a coral atoll which lies 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) to the northwest.
NASA picture of Fakarava Atoll | |
Fakarava Location in French Polynesia | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 16°18′S 145°38′W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 1,112 km2 (429 sq mi) (lagoon) 24.1 km2 (9 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 60 km (37 mi) |
| Width | 21 km (13 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Commune | Fakarava |
| Largest settlement | Rotoava |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 837 (2016) |
| Pop. density | 35/km2 (91/sq mi) |
The atoll is roughly rectangular and its length is 60 kilometres (37 miles) and its width 21 kilometres (13 miles). Fakarava has a wide and deep lagoon with a surface of 1,112 square kilometres (429 square miles) and two passes. The main pass to enter the lagoon, located in its north-western end, is known as Passe Garuae and it is the largest pass in French Polynesia; the southern pass is called Tumakohua. It has a land area of 24.1 square kilometres (9 square miles). Fakarava has 837 inhabitants; the main village is called Rotoava.