Vanavana

Vanavana

NASA picture of Vanavana Atoll
Vanavana
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	20°47′S 139°10′W
Archipelago	Tuamotus
Area	6 km2 (2.3 sq mi)  (lagoon) 5 km2 (2 sq mi) (above water)
Length	3.5 km (2.17 mi)
Width	2.2 km (1.37 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision	Tuamotus
Commune	Tureia
Demographics
Population	Uninhabited (2012)

Vanavana, Kurataki, or Huataki is an atoll in the southeastern area of the Tuamotu Archipelago, French Polynesia. Vanavana's nearest neighbour is Tureia, which is located 58 kilometres (36 miles) to the east.

Vanavana is a small oval-shaped atoll. It measures approximately 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) in length, has a maximum width of 2.2 kilometres (1.4 miles) and a land area of approximately 5 square kilometres (1.9 square miles). Its reef encloses completely the deep lagoon, which is 6 square kilometres (2.3 square miles). There is one hook-shaped large island in the north and another in the south of its reef.

Vanavana Atoll is uninhabited; however, buildings on the northern end of the island are present.

History

The first recorded European to arrive at Vanavana was British mariner Captain Frederick Beechey in 1826. He named this atoll "Barrow Island", after Sir John Barrow.

Administration

Administratively Vanavana Atoll belongs to the commune of Tureia, which includes the atolls of Tureia, Fangataufa, Moruroa, Tematangi and Vanavana.

External links

• Atoll list (in French)