Suwarrow facts for kids
Satellite image of Suwarrow. Anchorage Island is immediately west of the lagoon's entrance
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Central-Southern Pacific Ocean |
| Archipelago | Cook Islands |
| Area | 9.8 km2 (3.8 sq mi) |
| Administration | |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 2 (seasonal) |
| Ethnic groups | Polynesian |
Suwarrow, also known as Suvorov, is an island in the northern part of the Cook Islands. It's located in the South Pacific Ocean. This island is about 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) south of the equator. It is also about 930 kilometers (580 miles) north-northwest of Rarotonga, the capital island.
Contents
Geography of Suwarrow Atoll
Suwarrow is a coral atoll shaped roughly like a square. It is about 80 kilometers (50 miles) around. The atoll has over 20 small islands, called motu, surrounding a large central lagoon. This lagoon is about 19 by 8 kilometers (12 by 5 miles).
The land on Suwarrow is very low. Because of this, strong storms called cyclones often cause huge waves. These waves can sweep over the entire atoll.
Islands of Suwarrow
Suwarrow is made up of several small islands. Here are some of the main ones:
- Anchorage Island: This is the largest island. It is about 0.139 square kilometers (0.054 square miles) in size. It is usually home to the island's caretakers.
- East Island: This island is about 0.278 square kilometers (0.107 square miles).
- Entrance Island: A small island, about 0.014 square kilometers (0.005 square miles).
- Manu Island: This island is about 0.121 square kilometers (0.047 square miles).
- Motu Tou Island: About 0.31 square kilometers (0.12 square miles).
- One Tree Island: About 0.134 square kilometers (0.052 square miles).
- Turtle Island: About 0.214 square kilometers (0.083 square miles).
- Other Islands: These include Brushwood Island, Whale Island, and Gull Island.
History of Suwarrow
Even though Polynesians lived on Suwarrow long ago, it was empty when it was "discovered" by Europeans. A ship from the Russian-American Company, called the Suvorov, found the atoll on September 17, 1814. The ship was named after a Russian general, Alexander Suvorov. The island's name has been spelled in many ways over time. "Suwarrow" is the official spelling used by New Zealand.
The island has only had people living on it off and on since then.
Treasure and Pearl Harvesting
In the mid-1800s, a ship from Tahiti was working to salvage items from a shipwreck. They found a box filled with coins worth about NZ$15,000. Years later, a man from New Zealand named Henry Mair found more old coins in a turtle nest. This treasure was later covered up and has not been found again.
In 1876, a company leased the atoll. They built a dock and started collecting mother of pearl. This is a shiny material found inside shells, used to make buttons and jewelry.
Later, in 1903, another company called Lever Brothers leased the atoll. They wanted to collect guano (bird droppings used as fertilizer) and plant coconut trees. They had about 30 people living on the island. But a strong cyclone in 1914 caused so much damage that the island was left empty.
Famous Visitors and Residents
In April 1890, the famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson visited Suwarrow. He was traveling with his wife, Fanny Vandegrift Stevenson, and her son. Fanny wrote about their trip in her journal.
During World War II, a writer named Robert Dean Frisbie lived on Anchorage Island. He was one of several "coast watchers" who kept an eye out for enemy ships. Frisbie wrote a book about his time there. In 1942, another cyclone hit, washing away 16 of the 22 small islands. The coast watchers left behind a hut and water tanks. They also left wild pigs and chickens on the island. Later, cats were brought to Anchorage Island to help control the rats.
A man from New Zealand named Tom Neale lived alone on Suwarrow for a total of 16 years. He lived there during three different periods between 1952 and 1977. He wrote a book about his experiences called An Island to Oneself.
National Park Status
In 1978, Suwarrow was made a National Park of the Cook Islands. This was done to protect its amazing marine life and many birds. The island and the waters around it are owned by the government. There was a plan to start farming Tahitian pearls there, but environmental groups stopped it.
In 2011, a Russian politician claimed he bought the atoll. He said it would be the capital of a "new Russian Empire." However, the Prime Minister of the Cook Islands quickly said this claim was not true.
Wildlife of Suwarrow
Suwarrow is home to many different plants and animals.
Plants
Most of the small islands have only herbs and shrubs. You can find plants like Pemphis acidula and beach heliotrope growing in large numbers. The bigger islands have thick forests of Cordia subcordata trees. In fact, the island called Motu Tou is named after these trees.
Birds
Suwarrow is a very important place for birds. It has been named an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International.
- About 3% of all red-tailed tropicbirds in the world breed here. That's about 400 birds!
- About 9% of the world's population of lesser frigatebirds can be found here. This is around 8,500 birds.
- There is a very large breeding colony of sooty terns. In 2008, over 40,000 chicks were counted.
- It is also a place where bristle-thighed curlews come to rest when they are not breeding.
Marine Life
The waters around Suwarrow are full of amazing sea creatures.
- You can find large animals like sea turtles.
- There are different kinds of sharks.
- Manta rays swim in the lagoon.
- Many types of whales and dolphins live here. These include humpback whales, sperm whales, and false killer whales.
Visiting Suwarrow
The Cook Islands government hires two people to be caretakers for the Suwarrow island nature reserve. They live on the island from April to October each year. Their job is to act as customs officers for boats that visit. They also watch over the island's birdlife.
The only way to visit Suwarrow is by private yacht or by taking a special trip from Rarotonga. Visitors need to get permission from the park authorities before they can land on the island.
Images for kids
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Satellite image of Suwarrow. Anchorage Island is immediately west of the lagoon's entrance
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Map of Cook Islands with Suwarrow near the middle
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Anchorage Island
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Robert Louis Stevenson.jpg
Robert Louis Stevenson, who visited Suwarrow in 1890.
See also
In Spanish: Suwarrow para niños
