Apataki
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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.
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[edit] History
It was visited by James Cook in 1774, and was first sighted by Europeans by a Dutch navigator, Jakob Roggeveen, in 1722.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Cuisine
Fruit and vegetable staples include yams, taro, and breadfruit, as well as a wide range of tropical fruits.
[edit] 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.
[edit] References
- Apataki Atoll. NASA Earth Observatory newsroom. Retrieved on 2006-04-27.
This article contains material that originally came from a NASA website. According to their site usage guidelines, "NASA material is not protected by copyright unless noted". For more information, please review NASA's use guidelines.
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