Kauehi, or Putake,[2] is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Raraka Atoll, located 17 km to the Southeast. Kauehi has a wide lagoon measuring 24 km by 18 km. The atoll has a lagoon area of 320 km2 (124 sq mi), and a land area of 16 km2 (6 sq mi). Kauehi's lagoon has one navigable pass.

The atoll has 257 inhabitants as of 2012. The main village is called Tearavero.[3]

History

Even though Kauehi Atoll was probably well known to the pearl traders, the first recorded European to visit it was the Beagle's captain Robert FitzRoy in 1835.[3][4] Kauehi was later visited by the United States Exploring Expedition, 1838–1842. Charles Wilkes called the atoll "Vincennes" after his ship.[5]

Administration

Kauehi Atoll belongs to the commune of Fakarava, which consists of Fakarava, as well as the atolls of Aratika, Kauehi, Niau, Raraka, Taiaro and Toau.

References

  1. ^ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Archived from the original on 29 March 2020. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  2. ^ Young, J.L. (1899). "Names of the Paumotu Islands, with the old names so far as they are known". Journal of the Polynesian Society. 8 (4): 264–268. Retrieved 7 January 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Kauehi on tahitiheritage.pf". Archived from the original on 2014-10-09. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  4. ^ Les Atolls des Tuamotu, Jacques Bonvallot, Institut de recherche pour le développement, nakladateľstvo IRD , 1994, ISBN 9782709911757, p. 275-282.
  5. ^ United States Exploring Expedition