Rakahanga
NASA picture of Rakahanga
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Central-Southern Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 10°02′S 161°05′W / 10.033°S 161.083°W |
| Archipelago | Cook Islands |
| Total islands | 11 |
| Major islands |
|
| Area | 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 127 |
| Pop. density | 32 /km2 (83 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Nu-matua, Tia-ngaro-tonga |
Rakahanga is part of the Cook Islands, situated in the central-southern Pacific Ocean. The unspoilt atoll is 1,248 kilometres (775 miles) from the Cook Islands' capital, Rarotonga, and lies 1,111 kilometres (690 miles) south of the equator. Its nearest neighbour is Manihiki which is just 44 kilometres (27 miles) away. Rakahanga's population is 127, and its area is 4 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi).
There are four main islands and seven motus or islets in the Rakahanga lagoon. The northern island is divided into three: Tetukono in the north and northeast, Tetaha Kiraro in the west, and Paerangi in the southwest; while the southern island is Rakahanga. The motus are: on the east, Te Motu o Umurua, Akaro, Motu Ngangie, Huananui, Motu Mahuta and Motu Okakara; while on the southwest side the islet of Te Kainga guards the widest passage into the lagoon. The only village, Matara, also called Rakahanga, seat of the Rakahanga Island Council, is on the northwest side of the southern islet, Rakahanga. A newer, official source lists five villages, which might represent the lineages living in the same village:
The island is just over 4 square kilometres in size and is so low lying that it is in serious danger from rising sea levels.
It is believed that Ferdinand Magellan discovered the island in 1521, but this cannot be substantiated by historians who have researched the island's history. One of the last great Spanish voyages of exploration, under the command of Pedro Fernandes de Queirós, came upon the island on 2 March 1606. He noted in a record of the voyage: "The land is divided among many owners, and is planted with certain roots, which must form their bread. All the rest is a large and thick palm grove which is the chief sustenance of the natives. Some 500 inhabitants were seen assembled on the beach". A Franciscan friar, Fray Martin de Munilla, was so struck with admiration that he called it the island of beautiful people (gente hermosa). De Quiros described the inhabitants as "the most beautiful white and elegant people that were met during the voyage".
...
Wikipedia