Taravai

Taravai

View of Taravai
Taravai
Geography
Location Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 23°08′12″S 135°01′33″W / 23.13667°S 135.02583°W / -23.13667; -135.02583Coordinates: 23°08′12″S 135°01′33″W / 23.13667°S 135.02583°W / -23.13667; -135.02583
Archipelago Tuamotus
Area 5.7 km2 (2.2 sq mi)
Highest elevation 256 m (840 ft)
Highest point (unnamed)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision Tuamotus
Commune Gambier Islands
Largest settlement Agonoko
Demographics
Population 9[1] (2012)

Taravai is the second largest island in the Gambier Islands of French Polynesia, at 5.7 km². Taravai is about 1.5 km southwest of Mangareva and about 300 m north of the island of Angakauitai. Off its eastern shore lies the tiny rock Îlot Motu-o-ari.

The village named Agonoko is located near the main bay on the island's eastern shore. It has a population of 9 (as of 2012). Former villages were Aga-nui (northwest) and Agakau-i-uta (southeast).[2]

The Onemea archaeological site suggests sporadic occupation of the island around AD 950 with a possible continuous settlement since the 13th century.[3]

Before the conversion to Christianity, the king of Taravai was a vassal to the king of Rikitea in Mangareva.[4]

References

  1. ↑ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 14 October 2014.
  2. ↑ Goodbye Gambiers
  3. ↑ The Onemea site (Taravai Island, Mangareva) and the human colonization of Southeastern Polynesia. Archaeology in Oceania
  4. ↑ R. W. Williamson, The Social and Political Systems of Central Polynesia, Cambridge University Press, 1924
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