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Nihiru

Coordinates: 16°44′S 142°50′W / 16.733°S 142.833°W / -16.733; -142.833
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Nihiru
NASA picture of Nihiru Atoll
Nihiru is located in French Polynesia
Nihiru
Nihiru
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates16°44′S 142°50′W / 16.733°S 142.833°W / -16.733; -142.833
ArchipelagoTuamotus
Area79 km2 (31 sq mi)  (lagoon)
20 km2 (8 sq mi) (above water)
Length14 km (8.7 mi)
Width10.5 km (6.52 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
Administrative subdivisionTuamotus
CommuneMakemo
Demographics
Population11[1] (2012)
NASA picture of Nihiru Atoll.

Nihiru, or Nikia, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is a relatively small atoll located 49 km to the east of Makemo Atoll and 30 km northeast of Marutea Atoll.

Nihiru Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 14 km in length with a maximum width of 10.5 km. Its lagoon has an area of 79 km2.

Nihiru had 11 inhabitants in 2012, most of whom originated from Taenga.

History

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The first recorded European to arrive to Nihiru was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Nigeri".

Administration

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Location within Makemo Commune

Nihiru Atoll belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.

References

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  1. ^ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 9 October 2014.
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