Katiu


Katiu, or Taungataki, is an atoll of the central Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia. It is located west of Makemo Atoll's westernmost point.
Katiu Atoll is roughly oval in shape. It measures in length with a maximum width of. Its total area, including the lagoon is and a land area of approximately. There are many narrow islands on the north-eastern side of its long reef with a total land area of about. Its lagoon is connected to the ocean.
Katiu has a population of 250 inhabitants. The main occupations are fishing, copra harvesting and pearl farming. The most important village is called Toini; it is located on one of the long islands of the northeastern reef.

History

The first recorded European to arrive to Katiu was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Osten-Saken" or "Saken".
There is a territorial airfield in Katiu which was inaugurated in 2001.

Administration

Katiu 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.