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Coordinates: 27°36′S 144°20′W / 27.60°S 144.33°W / -27.60; -144.33
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| location = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| location = [[Pacific Ocean]]
| coordinates = {{Coord|27|36|S|144|20|W|type:isle_region:FR-PF|display=inline}}
| coordinates = {{Coord|27|36|S|144|20|W|type:isle_region:FR-PF|display=inline}}
| archipelago = [[Australes]]
| archipelago = [[Austral Islands|Australes]]
| total_islands =
| total_islands =
| major_islands =
| major_islands =
Line 25: Line 25:
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = [[Communes of France|Commune]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = [[Communes of France|Commune]]
| country_admin_divisions_2 = Rapa Iti
| country_admin_divisions_2 = Rapa Iti
| population = 507<ref name=pop2017/>
| population = 451<ref name=pop2022/>
| population_as_of = 2017
| population_as_of = 2022
| density_km2 =
| density_km2 =
| ethnic_groups =
| ethnic_groups =
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|image flag size =
|image flag size =
|administrative subdivision = [[Austral Islands]]
|administrative subdivision = [[Austral Islands]]
|utc offset = −10:00
|utc offset = −10:00
|INSEE = 98741
|INSEE = 98741
|postal code = 98751
|postal code = 98751
|mayor = Tuanainai Narii<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=13 September 2022|language=fr}}</ref>
|mayor = Tuanainai Narii
|term = 2014-2020
|term = 2020&ndash;2026
|coordinates = {{coord|-27.60|-144.33|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|coordinates = {{coord|-27.60|-144.33|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m =
|elevation m =
Line 48: Line 48:
|elevation max m = 650
|elevation max m = 650
|area km2 = 40.54
|area km2 = 40.54
|population = 507
|population = 451
|population date = 2017<ref name=pop2017/>
|population date = 2022
|population footnotes = <ref name=pop2022>{{cite web|url=https://www.ispf.pf/content//uploads/RP_2022_Decret_n_2022_1592_du_20_decembre_2022_authentifiant_les_resultats_du_recensement_de_la_population_2022_JOPF_778cd9be0e.pdf|title= Les résultats du recensement de la population 2022 de Polynésie française|language=fr|trans-title=Results of the 2022 population census of French Polynesia|publisher=Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française|date=January 2023}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''Rapa''', sometimes called '''Rapa Iti''' (Little Rapa, to distinguish it from "Rapa Nui" (Big Rapa), a name for [[Easter Island]]), is the largest and only inhabited island of the [[Bass Islands (French Polynesia)|Bass Islands]] in [[French Polynesia]]. An older name for the island is '''Oparo'''.<ref>[http://www.tahitiguide.com/@en-us/article.asp?article_id=3/42/297 Tahiti guide]</ref> The total land area including offshore islets is {{convert|40.5|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=envir>[http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/assets/2016/01/environnementmarindesilesaustrales.pdf Environnement marin des îles Australes]</ref>{{rp|205}} At the 2017 census it had a population of 507.<ref name=pop2017>[http://www.ispf.pf/docs/default-source/rp2017/repart_poplegale_iles_2017_v3.pdf Répartition de la population en Polynésie française en 2017], Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française</ref> The island rises to {{convert|650|m}} elevation at Mont Perahu.<ref name=envir/>{{rp|243}} Its main town is [[Ahurei|Ahuréi]].
'''Rapa''', also called '''Rapa Iti''', or "Little Rapa", to distinguish it from [[Easter Island]], whose Polynesian name is Rapa Nui, is the largest and only inhabited island of the [[Bass Islands (French Polynesia)|Bass Islands]] in [[French Polynesia]]. An older name for the island is '''Oparo'''.<ref>[http://www.tahitiguide.com/@en-us/article.asp?article_id=3/42/297 Tahiti guide]</ref> The total land area including offshore islets is {{convert|40.5|km2|abbr=on}}.<ref name=envir>[http://www.pewtrusts.org/~/media/assets/2016/01/environnementmarindesilesaustrales.pdf Environnement marin des îles Australes]</ref>{{rp|205}} As of the 2022 census, Rapa had a population of 451.<ref name="pop2022"/> The island's highest point is at {{convert|650|m}} elevation at Mont Perahu.<ref name=envir/>{{rp|243}} Its main town is [[Ahurei|Ahuréi]]. The inhabitants of Rapa Iti speak their own Polynesian language called the [[Rapa language]].


==Geography==
==Geography==
Rapa Iti is shaped roughly like a [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] final [[Sigma (letter)|sigma]] (ς), with a well-protected central bay, surrounded by a ring of relatively high mountains. The island is the peak of an eroding [[volcano]], with the bay as the [[caldera]]. The area of the main island is 38.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. Little Rapa Tauturau is an offshore island.
Rapa Iti is located at {{Coord|27|35|00|S|144|20|00|W|}}. It is shaped roughly like a [[Greek alphabet|Greek]] final [[Sigma (letter)|sigma]] (ς), with a well-protected central bay, surrounded by a ring of relatively high mountains. The whole island appears to be the peak of a sinking [[volcano]], with the bay as well as the [[caldera]]. The area of the main island is 38.5&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>. Little Rapa Tauturau is an offshore island.


Its main town, Ahuréi (or Ha'uréi), lies on the southern shore of that bay, which is called the Baie d'Ahuréi. A smaller village, 'Area, is located on the northern shore of the bay. The people are Polynesian. Warfare in earlier epochs is indicated by 28 extant ridgetop forts. Today Rapa is home to the [[Tahitian Choir]], in which a third of the island's population sing traditional songs.
Its main town, Ahuréi (or Ha'uréi), lies on the southern shore of that bay, which is called the Baie d'Ahuréi. A smaller village, 'Area, is located on the northern shore of the bay. The people are Polynesian. Former times' warfare is indicated by 28 extant ridgetop forts. Today Rapa is home to the [[Tahitian Choir]], in which a third of the island's population sing traditional songs.


Although sometimes considered part of the [[Austral Islands]], Rapa Iti and the Bass Islands have a different geological, linguistic and cultural history.<ref>F. Allan Hanson, ''Rapan Lifeways'' (1970)</ref>
Although sometimes considered part of the [[Austral Islands]], Rapa Iti and the Bass Islands have a different geological, linguistic and cultural history.<ref>F. Allan Hanson, ''Rapan Lifeways'' (1970)</ref>


==History==
==History==
Rapa Iti was first settled by [[Polynesians]], most likely in the 13th century. Their Polynesian dialect developed into what is today the [[Rapa language|Rapa]] over the centuries.<ref>[http://www.cdnn.info/news/science/sc060825.html CDNN] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829172507/http://www.cdnn.info/news/science/sc060825.html |date=August 29, 2006 }}</ref> It is believed that the depletion of natural resources on the island resulted in warfare, and the inhabitants lived in up to 14 fortified settlements ("pa" or "[[pare (fort)|pare]]", a type of fort) on peaks and clifftops.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pages.uoregon.edu/dkennett/pdf/Rapa_antiquity.pdf|title=Douglas Kennett, Atholl Anderson, Matthew Prebble, Eric Conte & John Southon. Prehistoric human impacts on Rapa, French Polynesia.}}{{dead link|date=April 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> It is considered that the oldest of these is Morongo Uta, which was developed {{circa|1450–1550 AD}}.
Rapa Iti was first settled by [[Polynesians]], most likely in the 12th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://press-files.anu.edu.au/downloads/press/p204851/pdf/ch14.pdf |title=The prehistory of Rapa Island |last1=Anderson |first1=Atholl |last2=Kennett |first2=Douglas J. |last3=Conte |first3=Eric |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref> Their Polynesian dialect developed into what is today the [[Rapa language]] over the centuries.<ref>[http://www.cdnn.info/news/science/sc060825.html CDNN] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829172507/http://www.cdnn.info/news/science/sc060825.html |date=August 29, 2006 }}</ref> It is believed that the depletion of natural resources on the island resulted in warfare, and the inhabitants lived in up to 14 fortified settlements (''pa'' or ''[[Pare (fort)|pare]]'', a type of fort; compare the [[Māori people|Māori]] ''[[pā]]'') on peaks and clifftops.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Kennett |first1=Douglas |last2=Anderson |first2=Atholl |last3=Prebble |first3=Matthew |last4=Conte |first4=Eric |last5=Southon |first5=John |title=Prehistoric human impacts on Rapa, French Polynesia |journal=Antiquity |issue=308 |year=2006 |volume=80 |pages=340–354 |doi=10.1017/S0003598X00093662 |s2cid=20236158 }}</ref> It is considered that the oldest of these is Morongo Uta, which was developed {{circa|1450–1550 AD}}.


The first European to visit Rapa Iti was [[George Vancouver]] on 22 December 1791;<ref name=Richards>{{cite journal |last1=Richards |first1=Rhys |title=The Earliest Foreign Visitors and Their Massive Depopulation of Rapa-iti from 1824 to 1830 |journal=[[Journal de la Société des Océanistes]] |publisher= |volume= |issue= |pages= |url=http://jso.revues.org/67?file=1 |doi= }}</ref> he named the island Oparo. Contact with Europeans brought liquor and disease, and between 1824 and 1830 over three quarters of the natives died.<ref name=Richards/> Peruvian slavers raided the island as well.<ref name=Brash>{{cite book |title=Tahiti and French Polynesia |last=Brash |first=Celeste |authorlink= |author2=Jean-Bernard Carillet |year=2009 |publisher=Lonely Planet |location= |isbn=1741043166 |pages=236–237 |url=https://books.google.ca/books?id=t8Uj6i5oDcgC&pg=PA237&lpg=PA237&dq=Rapa+Iti+France&source=bl&ots=o-g54dCofy&sig=VroI8CbiDfbtVCd2ttPs2C9KzRw&sa=X&ei=UXyXUMClB6f0igKWooC4DQ&ved=0CGIQ6AEwCw#v=onepage&q=Rapa%20Iti%20France&f=false |accessdate=November 6, 2012}}</ref> When a handful of their victims were returned to the island, they brought with them [[smallpox]], which caused an epidemic.<ref name=Brash/> In 1826, there were almost 2000 inhabitants; forty years later, there were fewer than 120.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Warwick |year=2000 |title=Infectious Diseases: Colonising the Pacific? (review) |journal=Bulletin of the History of Medicine |publisher= |volume=74 |issue=3 |page=617 |url=http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/bulletin_of_the_history_of_medicine/v074/74.3anderson.pdf |doi= 10.1353/bhm.2000.0103}}</ref>
The first European to visit Rapa Iti was [[George Vancouver]] on 22 December 1791;<ref name=Richards>{{cite journal |last1=Richards |first1=Rhys |title=The Earliest Foreign Visitors and Their Massive Depopulation of Rapa-iti from 1824 to 1830 |journal=[[Journal de la Société des Océanistes]] |url=http://jso.revues.org/67?file=1 }}</ref> he named the island Oparo. Contact with Europeans brought liquor and disease, and between 1824 and 1830 over three quarters of the natives died.<ref name=Richards/> Peruvian slavers raided the island as well.<ref name=Brash>{{cite book |title=Tahiti and French Polynesia |last=Brash |first=Celeste |author2=Jean-Bernard Carillet |year=2009 |publisher=Lonely Planet |isbn=978-1741043167 |pages=236–237 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t8Uj6i5oDcgC&dq=Rapa+Iti+France&pg=PA237 |access-date=November 6, 2012}}</ref> When a handful of their victims were returned to the island, they brought with them [[smallpox]], which caused an epidemic.<ref name=Brash/> In 1826, there were almost 2000 inhabitants; forty years later, there were fewer than 120.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Warwick |year=2000 |title=Infectious Diseases: Colonising the Pacific? (review) |journal=Bulletin of the History of Medicine |volume=74 |issue=3 |page=617 |url=http://muse.jhu.edu/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/bulletin_of_the_history_of_medicine/v074/74.3anderson.pdf |doi= 10.1353/bhm.2000.0103|s2cid=72696414 }}</ref>


The independent island kingdom was declared a French protectorate in 1867. The British established a coaling station on the island, which prompted France to formally annex it on 6 March 1881. Subsequently, the native monarchy was abolished and the last queen, the daughter or Parima, was deposed on 18 June 1887.
The independent island kingdom was declared a French protectorate in 1867. The British established a coaling station on the island, which prompted France to formally annex it on 6 March 1881. Subsequently, the native monarchy was abolished and the last queen, the [[Daughter of Parima]],<ref>{{Cite book |last=Hanson |first=F. Allan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=twJzAAAAMAAJ&q=%22reine+de+Rapa%22 |page=30 |title=Rapa: une île polynésienne hier et aujourd'hui |date=1973 |publisher=Société des océanistes |language=fr}}</ref> was deposed on 18 June 1887.


[[Thor Heyerdahl]], notably, made excavations in Morongo Uta, seeking links between Rapa Iti and [[Rapa Nui]] (Easter Island).
[[Thor Heyerdahl]], notably, made excavations in Morongo Uta, seeking links between Rapa Iti and [[Rapa Nui]] (Easter Island).
Line 72: Line 73:
==Climate==
==Climate==


Rapa Iti has [[tropical rainforest climate]] (''Af'' in the [[Köppen climate classification]], ''Arab'' in the [[Trewartha climate classification]]), bordering on a very-mild winter [[humid subtropical climate]] (''Cfa'' in the [[Köppen climate classification]], ''Cfal'' in the [[Trewartha climate classification]]). Despite being situated south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the remote location in the middle of a tropical ocean enables the climate to be moderated in all seasons. Summers are hot and muggy, and cyclones are rarer, as the islands are located near the [[Horse latitudes|Horse Latitudes]] at thirty degrees south, despite the exposed location makes the island very windy, tempering the summer weather. Very hot weather is very rare, with the highest temperature recorded was 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in March. Winters are mild and very stormy, due to the isolated and exposed location of Rapa Iti. Precipitation is abundant in all seasons, and sunshine is uncommon every month of the year. The cool winters and strong winds prohibit ultra tropical fruits such as coconuts to thrive, as it has dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in September. In addition, the lack of continental influence promotes the vast seasonal lag, as March is the second-warmest month of the year, while September is the second-coldest.
As Rapa is well south of the [[Tropic of Capricorn]], it does not have a tropical climate. Rather, its climate is closer to the [[oceanic climate|oceanic]] and [[humid subtropical climate|humid subtropical]] classifications. The island is devoid of [[coconuts]] due to the cool temperatures in winter, during which the temperature can drop below 9&nbsp;°C (48&nbsp;°F) at night. The summer is very mild but seldom very hot. Overall, Rapa is very windy, characteristic of the oceanic and subtropical influence. It receives about 2,500mm of annual rainfall.
{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = Rapa, French Polynesia (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1951-present)
| metric first = y
| single line = y
| Jan high C = 25.7
| Feb high C = 26.5
| Mar high C = 26.2
| Apr high C = 24.5
| May high C = 23.0
| Jun high C = 21.6
| Jul high C = 20.8
| Aug high C = 20.5
| Sep high C = 20.7
| Oct high C = 21.5
| Nov high C = 23.0
| Dec high C = 24.2
| year high C = 23.2
| Jan mean C = 23.7
| Feb mean C = 24.5
| Mar mean C = 24.0
| Apr mean C = 22.4
| May mean C = 20.8
| Jun mean C = 19.3
| Jul mean C = 18.5
| Aug mean C = 18.2
| Sep mean C = 18.4
| Oct mean C = 19.3
| Nov mean C = 20.8
| Dec mean C = 22.2
| year mean C = 21.0
| Jan low C = 21.7
| Feb low C = 22.4
| Mar low C = 21.8
| Apr low C = 20.2
| May low C = 18.6
| Jun low C = 17.1
| Jul low C = 16.3
| Aug low C = 15.9
| Sep low C = 16.1
| Oct low C = 17.0
| Nov low C = 18.6
| Dec low C = 20.1
| year low C = 18.8
| Jan record high C = 31.0
| Feb record high C = 30.9
| Mar record high C = 31.6
| Apr record high C = 30.3
| May record high C = 28.1
| Jun record high C = 26.3
| Jul record high C = 25.5
| Aug record high C = 25.0
| Sep record high C = 26.4
| Oct record high C = 26.4
| Nov record high C = 28.9
| Dec record high C = 30.1
| Jan record low C = 12.2
| Feb record low C = 15.6
| Mar record low C = 15.2
| Apr record low C = 13.5
| May record low C = 10.1
| Jun record low C = 10.2
| Jul record low C = 9.8
| Aug record low C = 8.9
| Sep record low C = 8.5
| Oct record low C = 10.5
| Nov record low C = 12.0
| Dec record low C = 13.2
| Jan precipitation mm = 227.2
| Feb precipitation mm = 204.9
| Mar precipitation mm = 256.3
| Apr precipitation mm = 234.8
| May precipitation mm = 172.2
| Jun precipitation mm = 215.4
| Jul precipitation mm = 237.5
| Aug precipitation mm = 209.0
| Sep precipitation mm = 148.1
| Oct precipitation mm = 177.8
| Nov precipitation mm = 143.1
| Dec precipitation mm = 209.6
| precipitation colour = green
| year precipitation mm = 2435.9
| unit precipitation days = 1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 13.4
| Feb precipitation days = 12.9
| Mar precipitation days = 15.6
| Apr precipitation days = 14.8
| May precipitation days = 14.2
| Jun precipitation days = 15.7
| Jul precipitation days = 15.3
| Aug precipitation days = 15.0
| Sep precipitation days = 12.7
| Oct precipitation days = 12.0
| Nov precipitation days = 10.5
| Dec precipitation days = 13.2
| year precipitation days = 165.3
| Jan sun = 131.0
| Feb sun = 133.8
| Mar sun = 130.9
| Apr sun = 115.0
| May sun = 102.8
| Jun sun = 93.4
| Jul sun = 101.1
| Aug sun = 120.6
| Sep sun = 123.4
| Oct sun = 133.7
| Nov sun = 134.3
| Dec sun = 125.0
| year sun = 1444.9
| source 1 = Meteo France<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://donneespubliques.meteofrance.fr/FichesClim/FICHECLIM_98741001.pdf
| title = Fiche Climatologique
| publisher = Meteo France
| accessdate = February 2, 2021
}}</ref>
}}


==Environment==
==Environment==
The Manatau French Polynesian Reserve is a special French Polynesian Reserve to protect the animals and ridgetop forts of an area of southern Rapa. It is located near South Ahuréi.
The Manatau French Polynesian Reserve is a special French Polynesian Reserve to protect the animals and ridgetop forts of an area of southern Rapa. It is located near South Ahuréi.


The island is home to the [[endemism|endemic]] and [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] [[Rapa fruit dove]] which is threatened by habitat loss, predation by [[feral cat]]s and hunting. Its population was estimated in 1989-90 at 274 individual birds. Other birds include the [[near threatened]] [[Murphy's petrel]], the [[endangered]] [[Newell's shearwater]], both of which nest there in small numbers, and the vulnerable [[bristle-thighed curlew]] which is a non-breeding visitor while migrating. Because of its significance for these species the island has been identified as an [[Important Bird Area]] by [[BirdLife International]].<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= http://www.birdlife.org |title= Rapa|accessdate=2012-12-27 |work= BirdLife data zone: Important Bird Areas |first= |last= |publisher= BirdLife International |year= 2012}}</ref>
The island is home to the [[endemism|endemic]] and [[critically endangered]] [[Rapa fruit dove]] which is threatened by habitat loss, predation by [[feral cat]]s and hunting. Its population was estimated in 2017 at 160 individual birds. The critically endangered [[Rapa shearwater]] is endemic to surrounding islets. Other birds include the least concern [[Murphy's petrel]], which nest there in small numbers, and the near threatened [[bristle-thighed curlew]] which is a non-breeding visitor while migrating. Because of its significance for these species the island has been identified as an [[Important Bird Area]] by [[BirdLife International]].<ref name=bli>{{cite web |url= http://www.birdlife.org |title= Rapa|access-date=2012-12-27 |work= BirdLife data zone: Important Bird Areas |publisher= BirdLife International |year= 2012}}</ref>


==Administration==
==Administration==
The commune of Rapa consists of the island of Rapa Iti and the four uninhabited [[Marotiri (Austral Islands)|Marotiri]] rocks.
The commune of '''Rapa''' consists of the island of Rapa Iti and the four uninhabited [[Marotiri (Austral Islands)|Marotiri]] rocks.


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
*{{cite book |author= F. Allan Hanson |title= Rapa: une île polynésienne hier et aujourd'hui |year= 1973 |publisher= [[Société des Océanistes]]|pages= |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=twJzAAAAMAAJ}}
*{{cite book |author= F. Allan Hanson |title= Rapa: une île polynésienne hier et aujourd'hui |year= 1973 |publisher= [[Société des Océanistes]]|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=twJzAAAAMAAJ}}


==External links==
==External links==
Line 93: Line 210:
{{Austral Islands}}
{{Austral Islands}}


{{authority control}}

[[Category:Rapa Iti| ]]
[[Category:Islands of the Austral Islands]]
[[Category:Islands of the Austral Islands]]
[[Category:Communes of French Polynesia]]
[[Category:Communes of French Polynesia]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Overseas France]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of French Polynesia]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Oceania]]

Latest revision as of 16:56, 5 November 2024

Rapa Iti
NASA picture of Rapa
Rapa Iti is located in French Polynesia
Rapa Iti
Rapa Iti
Rapa Iti is located in French Polynesia
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates27°36′S 144°20′W / 27.600°S 144.333°W / -27.600; -144.333
ArchipelagoAustrales
Area40.5 km2 (15.6 sq mi)
Highest elevation650 m (2130 ft)
Highest pointMount Perahu
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
CommuneRapa Iti
Demographics
Population451[1] (2022)
Rapa
Commune
Flag of Rapa
Flag
Location of Rapa
Map
Coordinates: 27°36′S 144°20′W / 27.60°S 144.33°W / -27.60; -144.33
CountryFrance
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
SubdivisionAustral Islands
Government
 • Mayor (2020–2026) Tuanainai Narii[2]
Area
1
40.54 km2 (15.65 sq mi)
Population
 (2022)[1]
451
 • Density11/km2 (29/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC−10:00
INSEE/Postal code
98741 /98751
Elevation0–650 m (0–2,133 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Rapa, also called Rapa Iti, or "Little Rapa", to distinguish it from Easter Island, whose Polynesian name is Rapa Nui, is the largest and only inhabited island of the Bass Islands in French Polynesia. An older name for the island is Oparo.[3] The total land area including offshore islets is 40.5 km2 (15.6 sq mi).[4]: 205  As of the 2022 census, Rapa had a population of 451.[1] The island's highest point is at 650 metres (2,130 ft) elevation at Mont Perahu.[4]: 243  Its main town is Ahuréi. The inhabitants of Rapa Iti speak their own Polynesian language called the Rapa language.

Geography

[edit]

Rapa Iti is located at 27°35′00″S 144°20′00″W / 27.58333°S 144.33333°W / -27.58333; -144.33333. It is shaped roughly like a Greek final sigma (ς), with a well-protected central bay, surrounded by a ring of relatively high mountains. The whole island appears to be the peak of a sinking volcano, with the bay as well as the caldera. The area of the main island is 38.5 km2. Little Rapa Tauturau is an offshore island.

Its main town, Ahuréi (or Ha'uréi), lies on the southern shore of that bay, which is called the Baie d'Ahuréi. A smaller village, 'Area, is located on the northern shore of the bay. The people are Polynesian. Former times' warfare is indicated by 28 extant ridgetop forts. Today Rapa is home to the Tahitian Choir, in which a third of the island's population sing traditional songs.

Although sometimes considered part of the Austral Islands, Rapa Iti and the Bass Islands have a different geological, linguistic and cultural history.[5]

History

[edit]

Rapa Iti was first settled by Polynesians, most likely in the 12th century.[6] Their Polynesian dialect developed into what is today the Rapa language over the centuries.[7] It is believed that the depletion of natural resources on the island resulted in warfare, and the inhabitants lived in up to 14 fortified settlements (pa or pare, a type of fort; compare the Māori pā) on peaks and clifftops.[8] It is considered that the oldest of these is Morongo Uta, which was developed c. 1450–1550 AD.

The first European to visit Rapa Iti was George Vancouver on 22 December 1791;[9] he named the island Oparo. Contact with Europeans brought liquor and disease, and between 1824 and 1830 over three quarters of the natives died.[9] Peruvian slavers raided the island as well.[10] When a handful of their victims were returned to the island, they brought with them smallpox, which caused an epidemic.[10] In 1826, there were almost 2000 inhabitants; forty years later, there were fewer than 120.[11]

The independent island kingdom was declared a French protectorate in 1867. The British established a coaling station on the island, which prompted France to formally annex it on 6 March 1881. Subsequently, the native monarchy was abolished and the last queen, the Daughter of Parima,[12] was deposed on 18 June 1887.

Thor Heyerdahl, notably, made excavations in Morongo Uta, seeking links between Rapa Iti and Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Climate

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Rapa Iti has tropical rainforest climate (Af in the Köppen climate classification, Arab in the Trewartha climate classification), bordering on a very-mild winter humid subtropical climate (Cfa in the Köppen climate classification, Cfal in the Trewartha climate classification). Despite being situated south of the Tropic of Capricorn, the remote location in the middle of a tropical ocean enables the climate to be moderated in all seasons. Summers are hot and muggy, and cyclones are rarer, as the islands are located near the Horse Latitudes at thirty degrees south, despite the exposed location makes the island very windy, tempering the summer weather. Very hot weather is very rare, with the highest temperature recorded was 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in March. Winters are mild and very stormy, due to the isolated and exposed location of Rapa Iti. Precipitation is abundant in all seasons, and sunshine is uncommon every month of the year. The cool winters and strong winds prohibit ultra tropical fruits such as coconuts to thrive, as it has dropped to 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in September. In addition, the lack of continental influence promotes the vast seasonal lag, as March is the second-warmest month of the year, while September is the second-coldest.

Climate data for Rapa, French Polynesia (1991-2020 normals, extremes 1951-present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 31.0
(87.8) 		30.9
(87.6) 		31.6
(88.9) 		30.3
(86.5) 		28.1
(82.6) 		26.3
(79.3) 		25.5
(77.9) 		25.0
(77.0) 		26.4
(79.5) 		26.4
(79.5) 		28.9
(84.0) 		30.1
(86.2) 		31.6
(88.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 25.7
(78.3) 		26.5
(79.7) 		26.2
(79.2) 		24.5
(76.1) 		23.0
(73.4) 		21.6
(70.9) 		20.8
(69.4) 		20.5
(68.9) 		20.7
(69.3) 		21.5
(70.7) 		23.0
(73.4) 		24.2
(75.6) 		23.2
(73.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 23.7
(74.7) 		24.5
(76.1) 		24.0
(75.2) 		22.4
(72.3) 		20.8
(69.4) 		19.3
(66.7) 		18.5
(65.3) 		18.2
(64.8) 		18.4
(65.1) 		19.3
(66.7) 		20.8
(69.4) 		22.2
(72.0) 		21.0
(69.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 21.7
(71.1) 		22.4
(72.3) 		21.8
(71.2) 		20.2
(68.4) 		18.6
(65.5) 		17.1
(62.8) 		16.3
(61.3) 		15.9
(60.6) 		16.1
(61.0) 		17.0
(62.6) 		18.6
(65.5) 		20.1
(68.2) 		18.8
(65.8)
Record low °C (°F) 12.2
(54.0) 		15.6
(60.1) 		15.2
(59.4) 		13.5
(56.3) 		10.1
(50.2) 		10.2
(50.4) 		9.8
(49.6) 		8.9
(48.0) 		8.5
(47.3) 		10.5
(50.9) 		12.0
(53.6) 		13.2
(55.8) 		8.5
(47.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 227.2
(8.94) 		204.9
(8.07) 		256.3
(10.09) 		234.8
(9.24) 		172.2
(6.78) 		215.4
(8.48) 		237.5
(9.35) 		209.0
(8.23) 		148.1
(5.83) 		177.8
(7.00) 		143.1
(5.63) 		209.6
(8.25) 		2,435.9
(95.90)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1 mm) 13.4 12.9 15.6 14.8 14.2 15.7 15.3 15.0 12.7 12.0 10.5 13.2 165.3
Mean monthly sunshine hours 131.0 133.8 130.9 115.0 102.8 93.4 101.1 120.6 123.4 133.7 134.3 125.0 1,444.9
Source: Meteo France[13]

Environment

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The Manatau French Polynesian Reserve is a special French Polynesian Reserve to protect the animals and ridgetop forts of an area of southern Rapa. It is located near South Ahuréi.

The island is home to the endemic and critically endangered Rapa fruit dove which is threatened by habitat loss, predation by feral cats and hunting. Its population was estimated in 2017 at 160 individual birds. The critically endangered Rapa shearwater is endemic to surrounding islets. Other birds include the least concern Murphy's petrel, which nest there in small numbers, and the near threatened bristle-thighed curlew which is a non-breeding visitor while migrating. Because of its significance for these species the island has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.[14]

Administration

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The commune of Rapa consists of the island of Rapa Iti and the four uninhabited Marotiri rocks.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Les résultats du recensement de la population 2022 de Polynésie française" [Results of the 2022 population census of French Polynesia] (PDF) (in French). Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. January 2023.
  2. ^ "Répertoire national des élus: les maires" (in French). data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises. 13 September 2022.
  3. ^ Tahiti guide
  4. ^ a b Environnement marin des îles Australes
  5. ^ F. Allan Hanson, Rapan Lifeways (1970)
  6. ^ Anderson, Atholl; Kennett, Douglas J.; Conte, Eric. "The prehistory of Rapa Island" (PDF). Retrieved 19 March 2022.
  7. ^ CDNN Archived August 29, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ Kennett, Douglas; Anderson, Atholl; Prebble, Matthew; Conte, Eric; Southon, John (2006). "Prehistoric human impacts on Rapa, French Polynesia". Antiquity. 80 (308): 340–354. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00093662. S2CID 20236158.
  9. ^ a b Richards, Rhys. "The Earliest Foreign Visitors and Their Massive Depopulation of Rapa-iti from 1824 to 1830". Journal de la Société des Océanistes.
  10. ^ a b Brash, Celeste; Jean-Bernard Carillet (2009). Tahiti and French Polynesia. Lonely Planet. pp. 236–237. ISBN 978-1741043167. Retrieved November 6, 2012.
  11. ^ Anderson, Warwick (2000). "Infectious Diseases: Colonising the Pacific? (review)" (PDF). Bulletin of the History of Medicine. 74 (3): 617. doi:10.1353/bhm.2000.0103. S2CID 72696414.
  12. ^ Hanson, F. Allan (1973). Rapa: une île polynésienne hier et aujourd'hui (in French). Société des océanistes. p. 30.
  13. ^ "Fiche Climatologique" (PDF). Meteo France. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  14. ^ "Rapa". BirdLife data zone: Important Bird Areas. BirdLife International. 2012. Retrieved 2012-12-27.
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