Hereheretue facts for kids
NASA picture of Hereheretue Atoll
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 Hereheretue
Location in French Polynesia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 19°52′20″S 144°57′46″W / 19.87222°S 144.96278°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 23 km2 (8.9 sq mi) (lagoon) 4 km2 (2 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 9 km (5.6 mi) |
| Width | 7 km (4.3 mi) |
| Administration | |
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France
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| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Îles Tuamotu-Gambier |
| Commune | Hao |
| Largest settlement | Otetou |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 56 (2012) |
Hereheretue (also known as Hiri-oro) is a beautiful atoll in the Pacific Ocean. An atoll is a ring-shaped island made of coral. It has a central pool of water called a lagoon. This atoll is part of French Polynesia.
Hereheretue is the most northern island in the Duke of Gloucester Islands group. This group is a part of the larger Tuamotu island chain. The closest island to Hereheretue is Anuanuraro, which is about 150 kilometers (93 miles) away. Hereheretue is also about 450 kilometers (280 miles) southwest of Hao. It lies 488 kilometers (303 miles) southeast of Tahiti.
Contents
About Hereheretue Atoll
Hereheretue Atoll looks a bit like a trapezoid from above. Its central lagoon is quite deep. This lagoon covers an area of 23 square kilometers (8.9 square miles).
A wide coral reef completely surrounds the lagoon. This means there is no easy way for boats to enter the lagoon.
People and Life on the Atoll
Hereheretue is the only island in its group where people live all the time. In 2012, a census (a count of all the people) showed that 56 people lived there. Most of these people live in the main village, which is called Otetou.
A Glimpse into History
The first time Europeans saw Hereheretue was on February 4, 1606. A Spanish explorer named Pedro Fernández de Quirós discovered it. He named Hereheretue and the other three islands in the Duke of Gloucester group Cuatro Coronas. This means "Four Crowns" in Spanish.
How the Atoll is Governed
Hereheretue is part of a larger administrative area. It belongs to the French commune (like a town or district) of Hereheretue. This commune also includes the other three atolls of the Duke of Gloucester Islands: Anuanuraro, Anuanurunga, and Nukutepipi. This commune is connected to the Hao commune.
There is also a special station on Hereheretue that checks the weather.
See also
In Spanish: Hereheretue (atolón) para niños
