Niau

Niau
NASA picture of Niau Atoll
Niau is located in French Polynesia
Niau
Niau
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates16°9′15″S 146°21′20.4″W / 16.15417°S 146.355667°W / -16.15417; -146.355667
ArchipelagoTuamotus
Area33 km2 (13 sq mi)  (lagoon)
20 km2 (8 sq mi) (above water)
Length8 km (5 mi)
Administration
France
Overseas collectivityFrench Polynesia
Administrative subdivisionÎles Tuamotu-Gambier
CommuneFakarava
Largest settlementTupana
Demographics
Population226[1] (2012)
Another NASA picture of Niau Atoll.

Niau is a small atoll in French Polynesia, in the commune of Fakarava (Tuamotu archipelago). This atoll has a broad fringing reef, a diameter of 8 km and an area of 53 km2.

Niau's lagoon is swampy, hypersaline and entirely enclosed. The narrow strip of land surrounding the lagoon is covered by marsh vegetation. The enclosed lagoon area is 33 km2, making the land size at 20 km2. The lagoon has an unusual green color.

The only human settlement on Niau is Tupana, population 226 (as of 2012).

  1. ^ "Population". Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. Retrieved 9 October 2014.