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Taenga

NASA picture of Taenga Atoll
Taenga
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	16°21′S 143°07′W / 16.350°S 143.117°W / -16.350; -143.117
Archipelago	Tuamotus
Area	140 km (54 sq mi) (lagoon) 20 km (8 sq mi) (above water)
Length	27 km (16.8 mi)
Width	11 km (6.8 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision	Tuamotus
Commune	Makemo
Demographics
Population	65 (2022)

Taenga, or Taunga-hara, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 32 km to the northeast of Makemo Atoll and 27 km to the northwest of Nihiru Atoll.

Taenga Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 27 km in length with a maximum width of 11 km.

Taenga's lagoon has an area of 120 square kilometres (46 square miles). It is very difficult to enter on account of the currents and the very narrow pass.

This atoll has 65 inhabitants (2022), most of whom are Mormons who have lived there since 1845.

History

Taenga Atoll was first discovered by John Buyers on 10 March 1803 who named it "Holts Island" on the same day as he discovered Makemo atoll. It was later rediscovered by Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820. In some maps it still appears as "Yermolov".

Administration

Taenga Atoll belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

References

1. "Les résultats du recensement de la population 2022 de Polynésie française" [Results of the 2022 population census of French Polynesia] (PDF) (in French). Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. January 2023.
2. The Lost Island of Saints by Yves and Kathleen Perrin, Ensign, June 1986, 39.

• Oceandots
• Description
• Yves and Kathleen Perrin, "The Lost Island of Saints", Ensign, June 1986.

Atoll names

v t e Tuamotu Archipelago and Gambier Islands of French Polynesia
Tuamotus Gambiers	Islands/Atolls	Ahe Ahunui Akamaru Akiaki Amanu Anaa* Angakauitai Anuanuraro Anuanurunga Apataki Aratika Arutua* Aukena Faaite Fakahina Fakarava* Fangatau* Fangataufa Hao* Haraiki Hereheretue Hikueru* Hiti Kamaka Katiu Kauehi Kaukura Kouaku Makapu Makaroa Makatea Makemo* Mangareva* Manihi* Manuhangi Manui Maria Est Marokau Marutea Nord Marutea Sud Mataiva Matureivavao Morane Moruroa Motutunga Napuka* Nengonengo Niau Nihiru Nukutavake* Nukutepipi Papuri Paraoa Puaumu Pinaki Puka Puka* Pukarua Rangiroa* Raraka Raroia Ravahere Reao* Reitoru Rekareka Taenga Tahanea Taiaro Takapoto Takaroa* Takume Taravai Tatakoto* Tauere Tekokota Tematagi Temoe Tenararo Tenarunga Tepoto (North) Tepoto (South) Tikehau Tikei Toau Tokorua Totegegie Tuanake Tureia* Vahanga Vahitahi Vairaatea Vanavana * commune administration centre
	Island groups	Acteon Disappointment Duke of Gloucester King George Two Groups Palliser Raeffsky
Archipelagos of French Polynesia: Australs Gambiers Marquesas Societies Tuamotus

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