Anaa
Encyclopedia
Anaa, Nganaa-nui is an atoll
in the Tuamotu archipelago
, in French Polynesia
. It is located in the north-west of the archipelago, 350 km to the east of Tahiti
. It oval in shape, 29.5 km in length and 6.5 km wide, with a total area 38 km². The atoll is made up by eleven small barren islands with deeper and more fertile soil than other atolls in the Tuamotus. The lagoon is shallow, without entrance, and formed by three main basins. Although it does not have any navigable entrance, the water of the lagoon renews by several small channels that can be crossed walking.
The main village is Tukuhora, also called Anaa, with a total population of 435 according to the census
of 2002. The other small villages like Temarie, Otepipi, Mania and Tematahoa were uninhabited according to the census. The population subsists mainly on the fishing, the cultivation of nacre
and the production of copra
.
The first recorded European to sight the atoll was James Cook
, in 1769. Because of its shape, he called it Chain Island. Later, Anaa was visited by Spanish explorer Domingo de Boenechea, on November 1 of 1772, who called it "Isla de Todos los Santos" (All Saints Island).
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, control of the Atoll went to the Pomaré of Tahiti. Around 1850 Anaa was an active center of the nacre commerce and copra, with a maximum population of 2,000. The missionary competition between Mormons
of North America and French Catholics led to a revolt in 1852, and an intervention by French colonial troops.
In 1878 and 1906 Anaa suffered severe hurricane damages and was completely flooded. After the hurricane of 1983, the only village was moved and reconstructed, incorporating a refuge shelter with capacity for all its population.
Anaa has a territorial airport which was inaugurated in 1976.
and the uninhabited atolls of Tahanea
and Motutunga
.
. Historically the atoll also has been known as Miloradovich.
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
in the Tuamotu archipelago
Archipelago
An archipelago , sometimes called an island group, is a chain or cluster of islands. The word archipelago is derived from the Greek ἄρχι- – arkhi- and πέλαγος – pélagos through the Italian arcipelago...
, in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
. It is located in the north-west of the archipelago, 350 km to the east of Tahiti
Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
. It oval in shape, 29.5 km in length and 6.5 km wide, with a total area 38 km². The atoll is made up by eleven small barren islands with deeper and more fertile soil than other atolls in the Tuamotus. The lagoon is shallow, without entrance, and formed by three main basins. Although it does not have any navigable entrance, the water of the lagoon renews by several small channels that can be crossed walking.
The main village is Tukuhora, also called Anaa, with a total population of 435 according to the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2002. The other small villages like Temarie, Otepipi, Mania and Tematahoa were uninhabited according to the census. The population subsists mainly on the fishing, the cultivation of nacre
Nacre
Nacre , also known as mother of pearl, is an organic-inorganic composite material produced by some mollusks as an inner shell layer; it is also what makes up pearls. It is very strong, resilient, and iridescent....
and the production of copra
Copra
Copra is the dried meat, or kernel, of the coconut. Coconut oil extracted from it has made copra an important agricultural commodity for many coconut-producing countries. It also yields coconut cake which is mainly used as feed for livestock.-Production:...
.
History
The atoll of Anaa was known by the legendary cruelty of its soldiers who in the seventeenth century, dominated the north-west of the Tuamotus.The first recorded European to sight the atoll was James Cook
James Cook
Captain James Cook, FRS, RN was a British explorer, navigator and cartographer who ultimately rose to the rank of captain in the Royal Navy...
, in 1769. Because of its shape, he called it Chain Island. Later, Anaa was visited by Spanish explorer Domingo de Boenechea, on November 1 of 1772, who called it "Isla de Todos los Santos" (All Saints Island).
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, control of the Atoll went to the Pomaré of Tahiti. Around 1850 Anaa was an active center of the nacre commerce and copra, with a maximum population of 2,000. The missionary competition between Mormons
Mormons
The Mormons are a religious and cultural group related to Mormonism, a religion started by Joseph Smith during the American Second Great Awakening. A vast majority of Mormons are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints while a minority are members of other independent churches....
of North America and French Catholics led to a revolt in 1852, and an intervention by French colonial troops.
In 1878 and 1906 Anaa suffered severe hurricane damages and was completely flooded. After the hurricane of 1983, the only village was moved and reconstructed, incorporating a refuge shelter with capacity for all its population.
Anaa has a territorial airport which was inaugurated in 1976.
Commune of Anaa
Anaa is the capital of the commune (municipality) that also includes the associated atoll of FaaiteFaaite
Faaite, or Faaiti, is an atoll of the Tuamotus in French Polynesia. It is located 60 km to the north of Anaa Atoll. The total surface of the atoll is 230 km². Its dry land area is 9 km². Its length is 28 km and its width 10.5 km.Faaite's inner lagoon has a navigable...
and the uninhabited atolls of Tahanea
Tahanea
Tahanea Atoll is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 12 km to the east of Faaite Atoll.Tahanea Atoll is quite large. It measures 48 km in length with a maximum width of 15.2 km. The southern reef fringing the atoll is wider than the northern one,...
and Motutunga
Motutunga
Motutunga Atoll is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 17 km to the east of Tahanea Atoll.Motutunga Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 15 km in length with a maximum width of 14 km. The reef fringing the atoll is continuous. There are...
.
Overview
| Atoll Atoll An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED... |
mainvillage | Population2002 | landarea(km²) | lagoon Lagoon A lagoon is a body of shallow sea water or brackish water separated from the sea by some form of barrier. The EU's habitat directive defines lagoons as "expanses of shallow coastal salt water, of varying salinity or water volume, wholly or partially separated from the sea by sand banks or shingle,... (km²) |
Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| commune associée of Anaa | |||||
| Anaa | Tukuhora | 437 | 38 | 90 | 17°20′S 145°30′W |
| commune associée of Faaite | |||||
| Faaite | Hitianau | 202 | 8,87 | 227 | 16°43′S 145°19′W |
| Motutunga | - | - | 1,38 | 126 | 17°04′S 144°17′W |
| Tahanea | - | - | 7,7 | 522,5 | 16°50′S 144°45′W |
| commune of Anaa | Tukuhora | 639 | 55,95 | 965,5 | |
Faaite
Faaite is an atoll located 60 km to the north of Anaa. The total surface of the atoll is of 230 km². Its dry land area has a surface of 9 km². The inner lagoon has a navigable channel to the ocean. The main village is Hitianau, with a total population of 246. It was discovered by John Turnbull in 1802, the first retailer of the Pacific who used the route of Tahiti to HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. Historically the atoll also has been known as Miloradovich.