Takaroa


Takaroa, Taka-roa or Takapua, is an atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It has a length of and a width of ; its land area is.
The nearest land is Takapoto Atoll, located to the southwest.
Fine pearls, including black pearls, were obtained in the lagoon of Takaroa.
Geographically Takaroa is part of the King George Islands subgroup, which includes Ahe, Manihi, Takapoto, Takaroa and Tikei.
Takaroa Atoll has 674 inhabitants. The main village is Teavaroa.

History

The first recorded Europeans to arrive to Takaroa were Dutch explorers Jacob le Maire and Willem Schouten on 14 April 1616 during their Pacific journey. They called this atoll "Sondergrond Island".
Captain Cook visited the island in 1774.
Takaroa territorial airport was inaugurated in 1986.

Administration

The commune of Takaroa consists of the islands of Takaroa, Takapoto and Tikei.