Fangatau, or Nakai-erua, is a small atoll in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. The nearest land is Fakahina Atoll, located 72 km to the ESE. This small atoll has an elongated shape. Its length is , maximum width . It has a total area of ,ICES Journal of Marine Science land area 5.9 km2. Its reef encloses its lagoon completely. Anchorage is difficult. Fangatau Atoll has 150 inhabitants (2022 census). Teana is the main village.
History The first recorded European to arrive at Fangatau was Russian explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen on the 10 July 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Arakcheev". Fangatau was the home of Kamake an Iturangi, regarded by anthropologist Kenneth Emory as "the greatest Tuamotuan sage" he ever met.
Administration The commune of Fangatau consists of Fangatau Atoll, as well as the atoll and associated commune of Fakahina.Décret n°72-407 du 17 mai 1972 portant création de communes dans le territoire de la Polynésie française, Légifrance The seat of the commune is the village Teana.
Atoll Mainvillage Population2022 Land area(km2) Lagoon(km2) CoordinatesFangatau Teana 150 5.9 11 Fakahina Tarione 173 8.3 20 Commune of Fangatau Teana 323 14.3 31
Atoll Mainvillage Population2007 Population2012 Population2017 Fangatau Teana 121 145 135 Fakahina Tarione 131 155 161 Commune of Fangatau Teana 252 300 296
Transport The atoll is served by the Fangatau Airport .
See also Fangatau Airport
References
Fangatau Airport Bellingshausen
External links
Atoll list (in French)