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Fakahina

Coordinates: 15°59′S 140°11′W / 15.983°S 140.183°W / -15.983; -140.183
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Fakahina
Map
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates15°59′S 140°11′W / 15.983°S 140.183°W / -15.983; -140.183
ArchipelagoTuamotu archipelago
Length9 km (5.6 mi)
Width6.3 km (3.91 mi)
Administration
Demographics
Population131
File:FakahinaISS006-E-37917.PNG
NASA picture of Fakahina.

Fakahina, or Kaīna, is a small atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fangatau Atoll, located 72 km to the WNW.

Fakahina Atoll's length is 9 km and its maximum width 6.3 km. It has a total area of 20km2 and a land area of 8km2. There is no pass connecting the lagoon with the ocean.

Fakahina has 131 inhabitants. The main village is Tarione.

History

The ancient Ma'ohi people used this atoll as a site for sacrifices.

The first recorded European to arrive to Fakahina Atoll was Otto von Kotzebue, sailing in the service of the Russian tsars, in 1824. This atoll appears as "Predpriati" in some maps.

Part of the population of Fakahina was moved to Puka-Puka to work in the production of copra.

There is a territorial (domestic) airfield in Fakahina which was inaugurated in 1985.

Administration

Fakahina belongs to the commune of Fangatau, which consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina.

References

See also

15°59′S 140°11′W / 15.983°S 140.183°W / -15.983; -140.183