Paraoa

Paraoa, Tohora, or Hariri^[2] is a small atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located 76 km south of Hao Atoll's westernmost point. The closest land is Manuhangi Atoll, 52 km to the west.^[3]

Paraoa

NASA picture of Paraoa Atoll
Paraoa
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	19°08′S 140°43′W
Archipelago	Tuamotus
Area	14 km2 (5.4 sq mi) (lagoon) 4 km2 (1.5 sq mi) (above water)
Length	8.5 km (5.28 mi)
Width	5.5 km (3.42 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision	Îles Tuamotu-Gambier
Commune	Hao
Demographics
Population	Uninhabited[1] (2012)

Paraoa Atoll is ovular in shape. It measures 8.5 kilometres (5.3 miles) in length with a maximum width of 5.5 kilometres (3.4 miles). Its lagoon is not connected to the ocean by a pass, which makes this small atoll quite inaccessible. Paraoa Atoll is uninhabited.

History

The first recorded European who arrived to Paraoa was Englishman Samuel Wallis in 1767. He named it "Gloucester".^[4]

Administration

Paraoa belongs to the commune of Hao (Main village: Otepa), which includes also Ahunui (uninhabited), Nengonengo, and Manuhangi (uninhabited).