Makemo
Encyclopedia
Makemo, Rangi-kemo or Te Paritua, is one of the larger of the Tuamotu atoll
s in French Polynesia
.
Makemo Atoll measures 70 km in length with an average width of 5–8 km. It is the fourth largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in terms of lagoon
surface, with a lagoon of over 600 km² in area. Despite its size, Makemo's lagoon has only two navigable passes.
Makemo Atoll has 914 inhabitants; the main village is named Pouheva with a population of 300. The village has a wharf
and a boarding school
of 150 children from neighbouring island
s. It also hosts Makemo Airport
, located to the west of Pouheva.
The first recorded European to arrive to Makemo Atoll was English pearl merchant John Buyers
commanding the Margaret (brig)
on 10 March 1803 on the same day he discovered Taenga
. He named the atoll "Phillips Island", after a late sheriff of London, Sir Richard Phillips
. In some maps Makemo appears as "Kutusov".
Makemo territorial (domestic) airport
was opened in 1976.
, Marutea Nord
, Katiu
, Tuanake
, Hiti
, Tepoto Sud, Raroia
, Takume
, Taenga
and Nihiru
.
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...
s 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...
.
Makemo Atoll measures 70 km in length with an average width of 5–8 km. It is the fourth largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in terms of 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,...
surface, with a lagoon of over 600 km² in area. Despite its size, Makemo's lagoon has only two navigable passes.
Makemo Atoll has 914 inhabitants; the main village is named Pouheva with a population of 300. The village has a wharf
Wharf
A wharf or quay is a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.Such a structure includes one or more berths , and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.A wharf commonly comprises a fixed...
and a boarding school
Boarding school
A boarding school is a school where some or all pupils study and live during the school year with their fellow students and possibly teachers and/or administrators. The word 'boarding' is used in the sense of "bed and board," i.e., lodging and meals...
of 150 children from neighbouring island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
s. It also hosts Makemo Airport
Makemo Airport
Makemo Airport is an airport on Makemo in French Polynesia . It is 10 km WNW of the village of Pouheva....
, located to the west of Pouheva.
History
Makemo is the home of legendary Polynesian hero Moeava.The first recorded European to arrive to Makemo Atoll was English pearl merchant John Buyers
John Buyers
John Buyers was the first officer of the brig Barwell in 1799 on her voyage to China. Later he was the first officer of the brig Margaret as an investment he and John Turnbull made in Turnbull and Co. John Turnbull being his second officer and historian...
commanding the Margaret (brig)
Margaret (brig)
The Margaret was a British-built Australian brig that was wrecked in 1803.The Margaret was constructed in London in 1799 and registered to a company called Turnbull & Co, carrying a crew of fifteen and fitted with ten guns...
on 10 March 1803 on the same day he discovered Taenga
Taenga
Taenga, or Taunga-hara, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 32 km to the northeast of Makemo Atoll and 27 km to the northwest of Nihiru Atoll....
. He named the atoll "Phillips Island", after a late sheriff of London, Sir Richard Phillips
Sir Richard Phillips
Sir Richard Phillips was an English schoolteacher, author and publisher.Phillips was born in London. Following some political difficulties in Leicester where he was a schoolteacher and bookseller, he returned to London, established premises in Paternoster Row, St. Paul's Churchyard, and founded...
. In some maps Makemo appears as "Kutusov".
Makemo territorial (domestic) airport
Airport
An airport is a location where aircraft such as fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, and blimps take off and land. Aircraft may be stored or maintained at an airport...
was opened in 1976.
Administration
The commune of Makemo consists of the atolls of Makemo, HaraikiHaraiki
Haraiki is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 42 km southwest of Marutea Nord.Haraiki Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 7 km in length with a maximum width of 5 km. There are three islets on its reef with a total land area of...
, Marutea Nord
Marutea Nord
Marutea, or Taunga tauranga-e-havana, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 24 km to the southeast of Makemo Atoll and 30 km southwest of Nihiru Atoll....
, Katiu
Katiu
Katiu, or Taungataki, is an atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 23.5 km west of Makemo Atoll's westernmost point....
, Tuanake
Tuanake
Tuanake or Mata-rua-puna is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 24 km southwest of Makemo Atoll's westernmost point....
, Hiti
Hiti
Hiti, or Hiti-rau-mea, is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 19 km southwest of Makemo Atoll....
, Tepoto Sud, Raroia
Raroia
Raroia, or Raro-nuku, is an atoll of the Tuamotus chain in French Polynesia, located 740 km northeast of Tahiti and 6 km southwest of Takume. Administratively it is a part of the commune of Makemo....
, Takume
Takume
Takume or Pukamaru is an atoll of the Tuamotus chain in French Polynesia, located northeast of Tahiti and northeast of Raroia and to the west of Fangatau.This elongated atoll measures by . Its lagoon has an area of ....
, Taenga
Taenga
Taenga, or Taunga-hara, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 32 km to the northeast of Makemo Atoll and 27 km to the northwest of Nihiru Atoll....
and Nihiru
Nihiru
Nihiru, or Nikia, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is a relatively small atoll located 49 km to the east of Makemo Atoll and 30 km northeast of Marutea Atoll....
.