Length 8 km (5 mi) Area 33 km² | Archipelago Tuamotus Island group Tuamotus | |
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Flight over niau
Niau is a small atoll in French Polynesia, in the commune of Fakarava (Tuamotu archipelago). This atoll has a broad fringing reef, a diameter of 8 km and an area of 20 km².
Contents
Map of Niau, French Polynesia
Niau's lagoon is swampy, hypersaline and entirely enclosed. The narrow strip of land surrounding the lagoon is covered by marsh vegetation. The lagoon area is 33 km² and it has an unusual green colour.
The only human settlement on Niau is Tupana, population 226 (as of 2012).
History
The first recorded European to visit Niau was a German explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships the Vostok and Mirni. He named this island Greig.
Administration
Niau is administratively part of the commune of Fakarava, which consists of the island Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.
Ecology
Niau is one of the few locations where the original Tuamotu tropical moist forest ecosystem (known locally as feo) has been preserved. This mixed broadleaf forest ecosystem has disappeared on almost all other atolls. The forest has been preserved in the central parts of the island. It contains several endemic species of plants and animals.
The small Niau kingfisher Todiramphus gertrudae lives now exclusively in the island of Niau. This critically endangered bird disappeared from the Gambier Islands long ago.
Niau airport
Niau Airport is at the northern tip of the atoll (ICAO: NTKN).