Location Pacific Ocean Length 47 km (29.2 mi) Overseas collectivity French Polynesia Area 434 km² | Archipelago Tuamotus Width 13 km (8.1 mi) Administrative subdivision Tuamotus | |
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Island groups Tuamotu-Gambier Islands, Tuamotus | ||
Kaukura or Kaheko is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia, 48 km (30 mi) long and 15 km (9 mi) wide. It is located in the western area of the archipelago, 58 km (36 mi) SW of Rangiroa. The closest land is Arutua Atoll, only 16 km (10 mi) to the East.
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Map of Atoll Kaukura, French Polynesia
Kaukura Atoll is elongated, with a length of 47 km (29 mi) and a maximum width of 13 km (8 mi). The northern reef rim is narrow, while the southern is broad. There are two groups of 65 islets. The surface of Kaukura's lagoon is 434 km2 (168 sq mi) and the land area 11 km2 (4 sq mi). It has only one navigable pass cutting through the reef.
The most important island is Motu Panao, located in the Northwest of the Atoll. Kaukura has 475 inhabitants as of 2012; the main village is Raitahiti.
Geographically Kaukura belongs to the Palliser Islands (Îles Palliser) subgroup of the Tuamotus.
History
The first recorded European to arrive to Kaukura was Dutch Navigator Jakob Roggeveen on his expedition for the Dutch West India Company to seek Terra Australis in 1722.
Formerly fishing was the main occupation of Kaukura's islanders. But presently tourism has replaced the traditional activities as a source of income.
There is a small airport at Kaukura which was opened in 1994.
Administration
Kaukura belongs to the commune of Arutua. The commune of Arutua consists of Arutua, as well as the atolls of Apataki and Kaukura.