Takume facts for kids
NASA picture of Takume Atoll
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 Takume
Location in French Polynesia
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 15°48′S 142°12′W / 15.800°S 142.200°W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 43.5 km2 (16.8 sq mi) (lagoon) 5 km2 (2 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 24 km (14.9 mi) |
| Width | 5 km (3.1 mi) |
| Administration | |
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France
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| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Makemo |
| Largest settlement | Ohomo |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 116 (2012) |
Takume is a beautiful atoll (a ring-shaped coral island) in the Tuamotus island group. It is also sometimes called Pukamaru. This atoll is part of French Polynesia, a country located in the Pacific Ocean.
Takume is about 790 kilometers (490 miles) northeast of Tahiti. It is also very close to another atoll called Raroia, only 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) away. Takume is shaped like a long oval. It measures about 24 kilometers (15 miles) long and 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) wide.
Inside the atoll is a large lagoon, which is a shallow body of water. This lagoon covers an area of about 43.5 square kilometers (16.8 square miles). The atoll's reef has many small islands called motus. Most of these tiny islands are found on the eastern side of the atoll.
The lagoon is deep and has one special opening. This opening is called a navigable pass. It allows boats to safely enter and leave the lagoon. About 116 people live on Takume Atoll. The main village where most people live is called Ohomo.
Contents
History of Takume Atoll
Early Names and Explorers
Long ago, the ancient Paumotu people had a special name for Takume and its nearby atoll, Raroia. They called them Napaite, which means "the Twins." This name shows how close and connected these two atolls were to the local people.
The first European explorer to officially record seeing Takume Atoll was a Spanish sailor. His name was Pedro Fernández de Quirós. He arrived on February 15, 1606. Quirós was sailing across the Pacific Ocean, looking for a large southern land he called Terra Australis. He named Takume La Fugitiva, which means "The Fugitive" in Spanish.
Later, in 1820, a Russian Admiral and ocean explorer visited Takume. His name was Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen. He was on an important journey with his ships, the Vostok and the Mirni. Bellingshausen gave the atoll a new name: Atoll Wolkonsky. He named it after a person called Pyotr Volkonsky.
Modern Developments
Life on Takume has changed over time. One important change happened in 1996. That year, the Takume Airport was officially opened. This airport made it much easier for people to travel to and from the atoll. It also helped connect Takume with other islands and the rest of the world.
How Takume is Governed
Takume is part of a larger administrative area. It is managed as part of a "commune." A commune is like a local government area in France and its territories. Takume is part of the commune of Makemo.
The Makemo commune includes several other atolls besides Takume. These are:
- Makemo
- Haraiki
- Marutea Nord
- Katiu
- Tuanake
- Hiti
- Tepoto Sud
- Raroia
- Taenga
- Nihiru
This means that these atolls work together for local government and services.
See also
- In Spanish: Takume para niños
