Fangatau
NASA picture of Fangatau Atoll
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 Fangatau
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°49′12″S 140°53′14″W / 15.82000°S 140.88722°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 22.2 km2 (8.6 sq mi) (lagoon) 6 km2 (2 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 8 km (5 mi) |
| Width | 3.5 km (2.17 mi) |
| Administration | |
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France
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| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Fangatau |
| Largest settlement | Teana |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 145 (2012) |
| Pop. density | 24 /km2 (62 /sq mi) |
| Fangatau | |
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| Coordinates: 15°49′12″S 140°53′14″W / 15.8199°S 140.8871°WCoordinates: 15°49′12″S 140°53′14″W / 15.8199°S 140.8871°W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Area | 14.25 km2 (5.50 sq mi) |
| Population (2012)1 | 300 |
| • Density | 21/km2 (55/sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98717 / |
| 1Population without double counting: residents of multiple communes (e.g., students and military personnel) only counted once. | |
Fangatau, or Nakai-erua, is a small atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fakahina Atoll, located 72 km to the ESE. This small atoll has an elongated shape. Its length is 8 kilometres (5.0 miles), maximum width 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles). It has a total area of 22.2 square kilometres (8.6 square miles). (land area 6 km2). Its reef encloses its lagoon completely. Anchorage is difficult. Fangatau Atoll has 145 inhabitants. Teana is the main village.
The first recorded European to arrive to Fangatau was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen on the 10 July 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Arakcheev".
Fangatau was the home of Kamake an Iturangi, regarded by anthropologist Kenneth Emory as "the greatest Tuamotuan sage" he ever met.
There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Fangatau which was inaugurated in 1978.
The commune of Fangatau consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina.
The atoll is served by the Fangatau Airport (IATA: FGU, ICAO: NTGB).
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Wikipedia