Gambier Islands
Geography
The Gambier Islands are a group of islands in French Polynesia. The Gambier Islands are sometimes considered to be part of Tuamotu Archipelago. However, while Tuamotu coral atolls are low, Gambier Islands are mostly high and of volcanic origin.
The Gambier Islands can be divided into two groups. The first group consists of high, volcanic islands in the central lagoon. The second group consists of low, coral islands and islets that are located on the coral reef around the central lagoon.
Temoe atoll is also considered to be part of the islands (it lies about 37 km southeast from the Gambier Islands)
Location: 23° 07′ 04″ S, 134° 58′ 13″ W
Area: about 30 km²
Highest point: Mt. Duff (441 m)
Population: 1319 (2016)
Largest town: Rikitea
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| Map of Gambier Islands |
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| Gambier Islands |
Islands in the central lagoon
Central
Mangareva
Mangareva is the largest island of the Gambier Islands. It comprises about 56% of the land area of the whole Gambier group.
Area: 15.4 km2
Highest point: Mount Duff (Auorotini) 441 m.
Population: 1,239 (2012)
Largest settlement: Rikitea
Other villages: Akaputu, Taku, Kirimiro, Gatavake and Atituiti.
Rumarei
Southwest
Taravai
Taravai is the second largest island in the Gambier Islands. It is about 1.5 km from Mangareva.
Area: 5.7 km2
Highest point: 256 m.
Population: 9 (2012)
Largest settlement: Agonoko
Former villages: Aga-Nui and Agakau-I-Uta.
Motu-O-Ari
Motu-O-Ari is a small islet, approximately 350 meters from Taravai.
Angakauitai
Angakauitai is a small island, approximately 300 meters from Taravai.
Area: 0.7 km2
Highest point: 139 m.
Population: Uninhabited
Tepu Nui
It is a small islet near Angakauitai.
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| Taravai (right), Motu-O-Ari (small, middle) and Angakauitai (left). A view from Mangareva |
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| Taravai |
South
Kamaka
Kamaka is approximately 12 km from Mangareva. It is 1 km long and 700 m wide.
Area: 0.5 km2
Highest point: 166 m.
Population: Uninhabited
Manui
Manui is a small island approximately 2 km from Kamaka.
Makaroa
Makaroa is approximatley 8.5 km from Mangareva and 1.8 km from Kamaka.
Area: 0.2 km2
Highest point: 138 m.
Population: Uninhabited
Motu Teiku
Motu Teiku is a small islet approximately 200 m from Makaroa.
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| Kamaka |
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| Makaroa |
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| Manui |
Southeast and east
Akamaru
Akamaru is the third largest island in the Gambier Islands. It lies about 7 km from Mangareva. It is 2.8 km long and 1.6 km wide.
Area: 2.1 km2
Highest point: 247 m.
Population: 22 (2012)
Largest settlement: Tokani
Atumata
Atumata is a small islet south-east of Akamaru.
Makapu
Makapu is a small islet south-west of Akamaru.
Mekiro
Mekiro is a small islet north-west of Akamaru.
Teohootepohatu
Teohootepohatu is a small islet north-east of Akamaru.
Aukena
Aukena lies approximately 5 km from Mangareva. It is 2.5 km long and 0.5 km wide.
Area: 1.35 km2
Highest point: 198 m.
Population: 40 (2012)
Largest settlement: Purirau
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| Akamaru |
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| Akamaru (Left) and Mekiro (Right) |
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| Mekiro |
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| Aukena |
Low islands on the coral reef
Tenoko - It is approximately 150m long and 80m wide and it is about 3.5 km from Mangareva
Papuri – a small islet.
Teauaone – It is about 7.7 km from Mangareva
Tepapuri - It is 1 km long and 250 m wide.
Puaumu - It is 850 m long and 200 m wide.
Vaiatekeue It is a small islet.
Teauotu - It is a small islet.
Apou - It is a small islet.
Tuaeu - It is a small islet.
Totegegie - It is a long (5.3km) and narrow (200m) coral island. The Totegegie Airport is located on the island.
Tarauru Roa - It is approximately 2.5 km long and 250 m wide.
Gaioio - It is 600 m long and 230 m wide; 5.4 km from Aukena.
Tauna - It is approximately 175m long and 65 m wide.
Tekava - It is 500 m long and 220 m wide.
Kouaku - It is about 5.4 km from Akamaru
Tokorua reef - Occasionally emerging.
There are also some other very tiny, coral islets on the reef.
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| Tepapuri |
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| Totegegie |
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| Tarauru Roa |
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| Tauna |
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| Tekava |
History
Between the 10th and 15th centuries – Gambier Islands were an important and influential Polynesian centre. However, as a result of deforestation, the islands have lost its importance.
1686 – The Gambier Islands was probably sighted by Edward Davis.
1797 – James Wilson on the ship Duff in 1797 discovered the islands
1834 – Roman Catholic mission was found on the islands.
30 November 1871 – The islands became the French protectorate.
1881 – The islands are annexed by France.
Source:
Pacific Islands Volume II Eastern Pacific Naval Intelligence Division 1943
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