Fangataufa
Fangataufa (or Fangatafoa) is an uninhabited coral atoll in the eastern part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. The atoll has been fully-owned by the French state since 1964. From 1966 to 1996 it was used as a nuclear test site by the French government. In total, 4 atmospheric and 10 underground nuclear explosions were carried out on the atoll.
Satellite view of Fangataufa Atoll showing the dark blue depths of the induced crater. Courtesy NASA. | |
Fangataufa | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 22°15′S 138°45′W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 45 km2 (17 sq mi) (lagoon) 5 km2 (2 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 9.5 km (5.9 mi) |
| Width | 9.5 km (5.9 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Tureia |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited (2012) |
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