Uturoa
Uturoa | |
|---|---|
 Location of the commune (in red) within the Windward Islands | |
Location of Uturoa  | |
| Coordinates: 16°43′52″S 151°26′35″W / 16.731°S 151.443°W | |
| Country | France |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Subdivision | Leeward Islands (administrative capital) |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Sylviane TEROOATEA |
Area 1 | 16 km2 (6 sq mi) |
| Population (August 2007 census) | 3,778 |
| • Density | 240/km2 (610/sq mi) |
| INSEE/Postal code | 98758 /98735 |
| Elevation | 0–479 m (0–1,572 ft) |
| 1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. | |
Uturoa is a commune (municipality) of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Uturoa is located on the island of Raiatea in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands, of which Uturoa is the administrative capital. The Leeward Islands are part of the Society Islands, and Uturoa is the main port of Raiatea Island. At the time of the August 2007 census, the urban area of Uturoa had 8,735 inhabitants, 3,778 of whom lived in Uturoa proper. Uturoa is about 120 mi (200 km) northwest of Papeete, the Tahitian capital.
Transport
Raiatea Airport is a one runway airport located in Eastern Uturoa. The airport has links to nearby islands. Air Tahiti is the main airline. The runway is asphalt and stretches to the eastern side of the island. To make an international flight, residents take Air Tahiti to Faa'a International Airport in Faaa. Sometimes, ferries leave Raiatea and sail north toward nearby Tahaa. Other ferries sail to Vaitape/Bora Bora or Tahiti.
History
Uturoa was first settled by early Polynesians coming from Southeast Asia. The settlers built houses of branches and grass. Fish, bananas, and apples were their main food. The first European to record its sighting was Pedro Fernandez de Quirós in 1606, charting it as Fugitiva.[1] During the 1700s, Captain James Cook arrived in Tahiti, and many more French Polynesian islands, to map most of the Pacific Ocean. Later, Charles Darwin would arrive, exploring Moorea, and other Society Islands. Don the Beachcomber resided in Uturoa for some of his life. Uturoa experienced major population growth during the 1940s.
Harbor
Container ships and ferries are found throughout the harbor. The ferries sail to other Society Islands, such as Bora Bora and Moorea. The harbor size is limited by the short coast.
Recreation
Uturoa has parks near the harbor, with the closest being the Uturoa coastal park. The parks on the mountains close to Uturoa have views of both the harbor and the city. School parks are found throughout Raiatea, and usually have open grass spaces.
Geography
Uturoa is the northernmost point of Raiatea, and has a view of Bora Bora, Tahaa, and Huahine. The commune is about 5 ft (1.5 m) above sea level on average. The mountains of Uturoa are not far inland, and sometimes touch the coast and form coast ranges. Uturoa is situated between the small pass of Tahaa and the forest-covered mountains of Raiatea. Inland parks host Tahitian dancers.
Beaches
Some beaches of Uturoa have black sand at some parts due to past volcanic eruptions. The beaches stop at one point, giving way to an industrialized coast filled with cranes and container ships.
Nearby communes
Uturoa is part of the Raiatea commune. Two other districts make up Raiatea: The Huahine commune, which is about 31 mi (50 km) away from Raiatea, and is home to Fare, a large commune; and Tahaa, which is just across the pass. Vaitape and Anau of Bora Bora can be seen from Uturoa.
Sports
Uturoa is around 168 mi (270 km) from Teahupo'o, a district of Tahiti. Teahupoo is close to a reef break that has enormous swells, ideal for the Surfing World Championship Tour.
Other major sports include football and basketball.
See also
References
- ^ Burney, James A chronological history of the discoveries in the South Sea or Pacific Ocean London, 1803, vII, p.326.
