Rangiroa

Rangiroa

NASA picture of Rangiroa Atoll
Rangiroa
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	15°07′31″S 147°38′43″W / 15.12528°S 147.64528°W / -15.12528; -147.64528Coordinates: 15°07′31″S 147°38′43″W / 15.12528°S 147.64528°W / -15.12528; -147.64528
Archipelago	Tuamotus
Total islands	415
Area	1,446 km2 (558 sq mi)  (lagoon) 79 km2 (31 sq mi) (above water)
Length	80 km (50 mi)
Width	32 km (19.9 mi)
Highest elevation	12 m (39 ft)
Highest point	(unnamed)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision	Tuamotus
Commune	Rangiroa
Largest settlement	Tiputa (pop. 817)
Demographics
Population	2567 (2012)

Rangiroa (meaning Vast Sky in Tuamotuan) or Te Kokōta (Hyades in Māori), is the largest atoll in the Tuamotus, and one of the largest in the world (although it is smaller than Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands and Huvadhu in the Maldives). It is part of the Palliser group. The nearest atoll is Tikehau, located only 12 km to the west. It is about 355 km northeast of Tahiti.

Rangiroa houses about 2500 people on almost 80 km2. The chief town is Avatoru, located in the northwestern part of the atoll.

The atoll consists of about 415 motus, islets and sandbars comprising a total land area of about 170 km². There are approximately one hundred narrow passages (passes), called hoa, in the fringing reef. The atoll has a flattened elliptic shape, with 80 km in length and a width ranging from 5 to 32 km wide. The width of land reaches 300 to 500 meters wide and its circumference totals up to 200 km. The lagoon has a maximum depth of 35 m and its surface is 1446 km². It is so large that it has its own horizon. On account of its shallow depth, the currents that come in and out through the passes and with the winds can sometimes create interior storms.

Only two islands, located on the northern end of the atoll, are permanently inhabited. As of 2007^[update], the total population on the atoll of Rangiroa was 2,473 inhabitants. The main villages are Avatoru (pop. 817), Tiputa (pop. 971), Ohutu (pop. 546), Taeo'o, Fenuaroa, Otepipi and Tevaro. Both Avatoru and Tiputa were built on neighboring islands, 12.5 and 4 km in length respectively. They are separated by the major Tiputa Pass. The other major pass of the atoll is Avatoru Pass, immediately to the West of the island of Avatoru. Rangiroa is a major underwater diving destination because of its lagoon's clear blue water and exceptionally diverse marine fauna. The most popular diving sites are the Blue Lagoon, Avatoru pass, Tiputa pass and Les Sables Roses ("The Pink Sands").