Fangatau


Fangatau, or Nakai-erua, is a small atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fakahina Atoll, located 72 km to the ESE. This small atoll has an elongated shape. Its length is, maximum width. It has a total area of, land area 5.9 km2. Its reef encloses its lagoon completely. Anchorage is difficult. Fangatau Atoll has 135 inhabitants. Teana is the main village.

History

The first recorded European to arrive at Fangatau was Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen on the 10 July 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Arakcheev".
Fangatau was the home of Kamake an Iturangi, regarded by anthropologist Kenneth Emory as "the greatest Tuamotuan sage" he ever met.
There is a territorial airfield in Fangatau which was inaugurated in 1978.

Administration

The commune of Fangatau consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina. The seat of the commune is the village Teana.
AtollMain
village		Population
2017		Land area
Lagoon
Coordinates
FangatauTeana1355.911
FakahinaTarione1618.320
Commune of FangatauTeana29614.331

AtollMain
village		Population
2007		Population
2012		Population
2017
FangatauTeana121145135
FakahinaTarione131155161
Commune of FangatauTeana252300296

Transport

The atoll is served by the Fangatau Airport.