Ahunui
Encyclopedia
Ahunui or Nga-taumanga is a small atoll of the eastern Tuamotu Archipelago
in French Polynesia
. It is located 55 km SSE of Paraoa
Atoll and 120 km WSW of Vairaatea
.
Ahunui Atoll is roughly circular in shape and measures 6.5 km across. Its lagoon is totally encircled by the reef, so that it is not connected to the ocean by a pass. The islands have coconut plantations on them.
Ahunui Atoll is permanently uninhabited, but it is visited occasionally by neighboring islanders. The rarer pipi oysters (Pinctada maculata) are found in its lagoon.
. He named it "Byam Martin" after Admiral of the Fleet
Sir Thomas Byam Martin
.
, Manuhangi
(uninhabited) and Paraoa (uninhabited).
Tuamotus
The Tuamotus or the Tuamotu Archipelago are a chain of islands and atolls in French Polynesia. They form the largest chain of atolls in the world, spanning an area of the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe...
in French Polynesia
French Polynesia
French Polynesia is an overseas country of the French Republic . It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory...
. It is located 55 km SSE of Paraoa
Paraoa
Paraoa, Tohora, or Hariri is a small atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 76 km south of Hao Atoll's westernmost point. The closest land is Manuhangi Atoll, 52 km to the west....
Atoll and 120 km WSW of Vairaatea
Vairaatea
Vairaatea is a small atoll of the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. Geographically Vairaatea Atoll is part of the East-central subgroup of the Tuamotus, which includes Ahunui, Amanu, Fangatau, Hao and Nukutavake. Nukutavake, the closest land, lies 38 km to the east.Vairaatea Atoll measures...
.
Ahunui Atoll is roughly circular in shape and measures 6.5 km across. Its lagoon is totally encircled by the reef, so that it is not connected to the ocean by a pass. The islands have coconut plantations on them.
Ahunui Atoll is permanently uninhabited, but it is visited occasionally by neighboring islanders. The rarer pipi oysters (Pinctada maculata) are found in its lagoon.
History
The first recorded European who arrived to Ahunui Atoll was British mariner Frederick William BeecheyFrederick William Beechey
Frederick William Beechey was an English naval officer and geographer. He was the son of Sir William Beechey, RA., and was born in London.-Career:...
. He named it "Byam Martin" after Admiral of the Fleet
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
Sir Thomas Byam Martin
Thomas Byam Martin
Admiral Sir Thomas Byam Martin, GCB was a highly influential British Royal Navy officer who served at sea during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars and then as a naval administrator until his death in 1854...
.
Administration
Ahunui belongs to the commune of Hao (Main village: Otepa), which includes Ahunui (uninhabited), NengonengoNengonengo
Nengonengo is a small atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 53 km southeast of Ravahere, its closest neighbor, and 100 km southwest of Hao Atoll....
, Manuhangi
Manuhangi
Manuhangi is an atoll of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. The atoll is situated 68 km southeast from Nengonengo and 52 km west from Paraoa....
(uninhabited) and Paraoa (uninhabited).