NASA picture of Raroia Atoll | |
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Geography | |
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Location | Pacific Ocean |
Coordinates | 16°01′S 142°26′W / 16.017°S 142.433°W |
Archipelago | Tuamotus |
Area | 359 km2 (139 sq mi) (lagoon) 41 km2 (16 sq mi) (above water) |
Length | 43 km (26.7 mi) |
Width | 14 km (8.7 mi) |
Administration | |
France | |
Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
Commune | Makemo |
Largest settlement | Garumaoa |
Demographics | |
Population | 253[1] (2022) |
Raroia, or Raro-nuku, is an atoll of the Tuamotus chain in French Polynesia, located 740 km northeast of Tahiti and 6 km southwest of Takume. Administratively it is a part of the commune of Makemo.
The oval-shaped atoll measures 43 km by 14 km and has a land area of 41 km2. A navigable waterway leads to the central lagoon, which has an area of 359 km2.[2] The population as of the 2022 census was 253. The town of Garumaoa is the main settlement. Raroians live principally on fishing, copra cultivation, and pearl farming.