Niau
Coordinates: 16°09.25′S 146°21.34′W / 16.15417°S 146.35567°W
Niau is a small atoll in French Polynesia, in the commune of Fakarava (Tuamotu archipelago). This atoll has broad fringing reef and an area of 20 km².
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 color.
The only human settlement on Niau is Tupana, population 136 (as of 2002).
Contents |
[edit] History
The first recorded European to visit Niau was Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this island "Greig".
[edit] 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.
[edit] Ecology
Niau is one of the few locations where has been preserved the original ecosystem Tuamotu tropical moist forest, which here is called - feo.[1] This ecosystem represents a mixed broadleaf forest[2], it has disappeared in practically all other atolls. Forest has been preserved in the central part of the island, it contains several endemic species of plants and animals.
The small-sized Tuamotu Kingfisher Todiramphus gambieri lives now exclusively in the Island of Niau. This critically endangered bird disappeared from the Gambier Islands long ago.
[edit] Niau airport
There is an airfield, Niau Airport, on the northern tip of the atoll (ICAO: NTKN).
[edit] References
 |
This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (May 2008) |
[edit] External links
- Atoll list (French)
|
||||||||||||||||||||
 |
This French Polynesia-related geography article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
