
Apataki as seen from space.
'Apataki' is a
coral atoll in the South
Pacific Ocean, territorially part of
French Polynesia. It is one of the
Palliser Islands, a group of atolls in the
Tuamotu Archipelago approximately 370 kilometers northeast of the island of
Tahiti.
The main village on it is
Niutahi.
History
It was visited by
James Cook in 1774, and was first sighted by
Europeans by a
Dutch navigator,
Jakob Roggeveen, in 1722.
Economy
It has one
airport and a thriving
tourism industry. The
coconut palm, which forms the basis for
copra (dried coconut) production, is of special economic importance to the islanders. On a few islands, the residents cultivate
vanilla. Agriculture is generally limited to simple
subsistence.
Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven together as
roof thatch (although corrugated
sheet metal is also used today), as well as for other items such as mats and hats.
Cuisine
Fruit and vegetable staples include
yams,
taro, and
breadfruit, as well as a wide range of
tropical fruits.
Flora and fauna
The sparse soil of Apataki does not permit diverse vegetation. The animal life on the islands is mostly seabirds, insects, and lizards. The underwater fauna, however, is diverse, making
scuba diving a popular activity for tourists.
References
★
Apataki Atoll