Fakarava : Ask Biography

View of the inner lagoon of Fakarava from Rotoava

Administration

Full name

Fakarava

Country

France

Statistics

Land Area

38.8 sq mi (100.5 km²)

Total Population

1578 (2007)

- Density

40.7/sq mi (15.7/km²)

INSEE

98716

Home | French Commune | Fakarava

Fakarava, Havaiki-te-araro, Havai'i or Farea is an atoll in the west of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It is the second largest of the Tuamotu atolls. The nearest land is Toau Atoll, which lies 14 km to the northwest.

The shape of Fakarava Atoll is roughly rectangular and its length is 60 km and its width 21 km. Fakarava has a wide and deep lagoon with a surface of 1,112 km2 and two passes. The main pass to enter the lagoon, located in its north-western end, is known as Passe Garuae and it is the largest pass in French Polynesia; the southern pass is called Tumakohua.

Fakarava has 701 inhabitants; the main village is called Rotoava.