 NASA picture of Apataki Atoll | |
  Apataki | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°26′57″S146°19′45″W / 15.44917°S 146.32917°W /-15.44917; -146.32917 |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 706 km2 (273 sq mi) (lagoon) 21 km2 (8 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 34 km (21.1 mi) |
| Width | 24 km (14.9 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Arutua |
| Largest settlement | Niutahi |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 350[1] (2012) |
| Pop. density | 18/km2 (47/sq mi) |
Apataki[2] is acoralatoll in the SouthPacific Ocean, territorially part ofFrench Polynesia. It is one of thePalliser Islands, a subgroup of theTuamotu Archipelago. Apataki is located approximately 370 kilometres (230 miles) northeast of the island ofTahiti, 17 km (11 mi) east ofArutua and 24 km (15 mi) northeast ofKaukura. The island is approximately rectangular; it is 34 km (21 mi) long and 24 km (15 mi) wide. It has a total area of approximately 706 km2 with a land area of approximately 21 km2 (8 sq mi). Two navigable passes enter its wide lagoon.
As of 2012[update], Apataki Atoll has 350 inhabitants, down from 492 in 2007. The main village is calledNiutahi.
The first recordedEuropean to sight Apataki Atoll wasDutch navigatorJakob Roggeveen in 1722. It was visited byJames Cook in 1774. On 27 May 1902, whilePaul Gauguin was living in theMarquesas Islands, the mail-boatCroix du Sud betweenPapeete andAtuona was shipwrecked at Apataki. leading to a three-month loss of supplies for the islanders.[3][4]
There is a domestic airfield in Apataki which was inaugurated in 1977. The island appears in some maps as "Hagemeister Island".[5]
Administratively, Apataki Atoll is part of thecommune ofArutua.
Apataki is connected to the world viaApataki Airport but has no tourism industry. The only main industry of the island is cultured Tahitian (black) pearls. Thecoconut palm, which forms the basis forcopra (dried coconut) production, used to be of special economic importance to the islanders. On a few islands, the residents cultivatevanilla.[6] Agriculture is generally limited to simplesubsistence.Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven together asroof thatch (although corrugatedsheet metal is also used today), as well as for other items such as mats and hats.
Apataki's two large reef passes provide excellent diving and surfing, both of which are serviced by local boat-based charter companies. Land-based accommodations do not exist.
Fruit and vegetable staples includeyams,taro, andbreadfruit, as well as a wide range oftropical fruits.
The sparse soil of Apataki cannot sustain a great variety of vegetation. The animal life on the islands consists mostly of seabirds, landcrabs, insects, and lizards. The underwater fauna, however, is rich and varied, makingscuba diving a popular activity for tourists.[7]
