 NASA picture of Nukutavake | |
  Nukutavake | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 19°16′S 138°46′W / 19.267°S 138.767°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi) |
| Length | 5 km (3.1 mi)[1] |
| Width | 1.3 km (0.81 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Commune | Nukutavake |
| Largest settlement | Tavananui |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 177[2] (2017) |
Nukutavake | |
|---|---|
 | |
Location of Nukutavake  | |
| Coordinates: 19°17′11″S 138°47′49″W / 19.2863°S 138.797°W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Area 1 | 13 km2 (5 sq mi) |
| Population (2017)[2] | 295 |
| • Density | 23/km2 (59/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC−10:00 |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98732 / |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Nukutavake or Nukutuvake is an island in the Tuamotu group in French Polynesia. It lies 1125 km from Tahiti. The closest land is small Pinaki Atoll, located 15 km to the southeast. Vairaatea Atoll lies 38 km to the west of Nukutavake.[3]
Nukutavake's length is 5 km and its width between 0.45 km and 1.3 km. Nukutuvake is not a typical Tuamotu atoll, but a single island. It was formed when its lagoon filled up with silt, in a similar manner as Fuvahmulah in the Maldives, which has a similar size and shape. There are shallow remains of the lagoon filled with marshy vegetation. The higher ground has many coconut palms.
Nukutavake has 177 inhabitants (2017 census);[2] Tavananui is the largest town. Many islanders have left the island in recent years, mainly to Tahiti, in search for work. There are a number of abandoned houses on the island. The people who remain live primarily on fish and copra production. There is a cyclone shelter on Nukutavake.
