Mangaia

Mangaia
Native name:
A'ua'u
NASA picture of Mangaia Island
Map of Mangaia Island
Mangaia is located in Pacific Ocean
Mangaia
Mangaia
Location of Mangaia Island in the Pacific Ocean
Geography
LocationCentral-Southern Pacific Ocean
Coordinates21°55′S 157°57′W / 21.917°S 157.950°W / -21.917; -157.950
ArchipelagoCook Islands
Area51.8 km2 (20.0 sq mi)
Administration
Villages
  • Oneroa
  • Ivirua
  • Tamarua
Demographics
DemonymMangaian
Population499 (2016)

Mangaia (traditionally known as A'ua'u Enua, which means terraced) is the most southerly of the Cook Islands and the second largest, after Rarotonga. It is a roughly circular island, with an area of 51.8 square kilometres (20.0 sq mi), 203 kilometres (126 mi) from Rarotonga. Originally heavily populated, Mangaia's population has dropped by 75% in the last 50 years, mainly due to the decline of the pineapple industry in the 1980s and a subsequent economic crisis in 1996.