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Rurutu | |
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 NASA picture of Rurutu Island | |
 Flag | |
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Location of Rurutu  | |
| Coordinates:22°28′30″S151°20′30″W / 22.47500°S 151.34167°W /-22.47500; -151.34167 | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Subdivision | Austral Islands |
| Government | |
| • Mayor(2020–2026) | Frédéric Riveta[1] |
Area 1 | 32.7 km2 (12.6 sq mi) |
| Population (2022)[2] | 2,163 |
| • Density | 66/km2 (170/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−10:00 |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98744 /98753 |
| Elevation | 0–389 m (0–1,276 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Rūrutu is the northernmost island in theAustral archipelago ofFrench Polynesia, and the name of a commune consisting solely of that island. It is situated 572 km (355 mi) south ofTahiti. Its land area is 32.7 km2 (12.6 sq mi).[3] It is 10.8 km long and 5.3 km wide. Its highest point (Manureva) is 389 m (1,276 ft).[3] At the 2022 census it had a population of 2,163.[2]
Geologically, Rurutu was initially formed 12 million years ago by theMacdonald hotspot, ahotspot associated with theMacdonald seamount. Over the next 10 million years, erosion shrank the island until it was almost anatoll. Then, just over a million years ago, Rurutu passed over theArago hotspot, which lifted it roughly 150 meters. Steep sea cliffs of ancient coral lifted by the event—calledmakatea—now largely encircle the island. These are riddled withcaves filled withconcretions—indeed, Rurutu is largely unique among islands in French Polynesia in that its historic inhabitants were cave-dwelling.
Because it is endowed with afringing reef, Rurutu has in recent years become known forwhale watching:humpback whales come and reproduce here between July and October within easy sighting distance from the beach.
Although its tiny community still subsists primarily on fishing and basic agriculture, tourism has been a growing industry, especially sinceFrançois Mitterrand's visit in 1990. Whale watching season sees the bulk of tourists, but the largely untouched native culture, the white sand beaches, and the lush tropical flora draw small numbers of tourists year-round.
The commune of Rurutu consists of the island of Rurutu, and is subdivided into the following associated communes:[4]
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