Mitiaro
Encyclopedia
Mitiaro, the fourth island in the Cook Islands
group, is of volcanic
origin. Standing in water 14,750 feet deep (4500 m) it is four miles (6.4 km) across at its widest point.
Mitiaro is part of the Nga-Pu-Toru island group formerly, a volcano that became a coral atoll
. The coral died forming Makatea.
The island is surrounded by the belt of fossilised coral—makatea, between 20 and 40 feet high (6 to 9 m) characteristic of islands in the southern group. The centre is almost flat, quite swampy and contains two freshwater lakes teeming with eel
s(Anguilla obscura) or what the locals call itiki and the imported tilapia
from Africa
where it is known as bream. Beaches are limited but there are crystal clear pools ideal for swimming in the subterranean limestone caves and the beach at low tide abounds in interesting marine life.
The island has four villages, located close together on the western side, listed from north to south:
The high school is located in the principal village, Arai. Takaue is the second largest village. Mitiaro Airport
is located at the northern end of the island.
ans, there were significant deaths in the population.
The island was discovered by missionary John Williams
on 20 June 1823 who brought Christian beliefs and encouraged the settlers to leave their original faith. The estimated population at that time was less than 100 inhabitants.
During 1840's the island was attacked again by Atiuans. On 31 October 1888 HMS Hyacinth
commanded by Captain Bourke, hoisted the United Kingdom flag in the island.
It was later merged to the Cook Islands until its annexation to New Zealand in 1901.
Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing parliamentary democracy in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand...
group, is of volcanic
Volcano
2. Bedrock3. Conduit 4. Base5. Sill6. Dike7. Layers of ash emitted by the volcano8. Flank| 9. Layers of lava emitted by the volcano10. Throat11. Parasitic cone12. Lava flow13. Vent14. Crater15...
origin. Standing in water 14,750 feet deep (4500 m) it is four miles (6.4 km) across at its widest point.
Geography
Atoll
An atoll is a coral island that encircles a lagoon partially or completely.- Usage :The word atoll comes from the Dhivehi word atholhu OED...
. The coral died forming Makatea.
The island is surrounded by the belt of fossilised coral—makatea, between 20 and 40 feet high (6 to 9 m) characteristic of islands in the southern group. The centre is almost flat, quite swampy and contains two freshwater lakes teeming with eel
Eel
Eels are an order of fish, which consists of four suborders, 20 families, 111 genera and approximately 800 species. Most eels are predators...
s(Anguilla obscura) or what the locals call itiki and the imported tilapia
Tilapia
Tilapia , is the common name for nearly a hundred species of cichlid fish from the tilapiine cichlid tribe. Tilapia inhabit a variety of fresh water habitats, including shallow streams, ponds, rivers and lakes. Historically, they have been of major importance in artisan fishing in Africa and the...
from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
where it is known as bream. Beaches are limited but there are crystal clear pools ideal for swimming in the subterranean limestone caves and the beach at low tide abounds in interesting marine life.
The island has four villages, located close together on the western side, listed from north to south:
- Taurangi (former village)
- Atai (also called Arai)
- Auta
- Mangarei
- Takaue
The high school is located in the principal village, Arai. Takaue is the second largest village. Mitiaro Airport
Mitiaro Airport
Mitiaro Airport is an airport on Mitiaro in the Cook Islands. It has a runway that is 25 feet above sea level and 3,000 feet long.- Airlines and destinations :Three flights per week are available to Rarotonga....
is located at the northern end of the island.
History
The native islanders had a pre-European history of harassment and subjugation by the warlike AtiuAtiu
Atiu, also known as Enuamanu , is an island lying at 187 km to the northeast of Rarotonga, in the Southern Islands group of the Cook Islands Archipelago.-Geography:...
ans, there were significant deaths in the population.
The island was discovered by missionary John Williams
John Williams (missionary)
John Williams was an English missionary, active in the South Pacific. Born near London, England, he was trained as a foundry worker and mechanic...
on 20 June 1823 who brought Christian beliefs and encouraged the settlers to leave their original faith. The estimated population at that time was less than 100 inhabitants.
During 1840's the island was attacked again by Atiuans. On 31 October 1888 HMS Hyacinth
HMS Hyacinth (1881)
HMS Hyacinth was an 8-gun Satellite-class composite sloop built for the Royal Navy, launched in 1881 and sold in 1902. She and the rest of her class were re-classified as corvettes in 1884.-Design:...
commanded by Captain Bourke, hoisted the United Kingdom flag in the island.
It was later merged to the Cook Islands until its annexation to New Zealand in 1901.