Makemo : Ask Biography

NASA picture of Makemo Atoll.

Administration

Full name

Makemo

Country

France

Statistics

Land Area

38.6 sq mi (100 km²)

Total Population

1422 (2007)

- Density

36.8/sq mi (14.2/km²)

INSEE

98726

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Makemo, Rangi-kemo or Te Paritua, is one of the larger of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia.

Makemo Atoll measures 70 km in length with an average width of 5 � 8 km. It is the fourth largest atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in terms of lagoon surface, with a lagoon of over 600 km2 in area. Despite its size, Makemo's lagoon has only two navigable passes.

Makemo Atoll has 914 inhabitants; the main village is named Pouheva with a population of 300. The village has a wharf and a boarding school of 150 children from neighbouring islands. It also hosts Makemo Airport, located to the west of Pouheva.