Page 209 - French Polynesia

he islands’ economy is predominantly composed of subsistence Mangarevan.

T agriculture. The most important sources of additional income are the F akarava - It is Tuamotu’s ancient capital and, as its neighbor islands, has
been declared by UNESCO as a biosphere natural official reserve. Its
cultivation of black pearls and the preparation of copra. Tourism-related
income remains meager, especially by comparison to the tourism indus-

try of the neighboring Society Islands. A modest tourism infrastructure is 250 inhabitants live mainly out of fishing in one of its two villages. The big-

found on the atolls of Rangiroa and Manihi which have recreational scuba gest part of Fakarava’s diving sites are still unexplored, as are many of the

diving and snorkeling destinations. Water sources such as lakes or rivers islets in the reef collar. Fakarava has Polynesia’s oldest catholic church.

are absent, leaving catchments of rain as the only source of fresh water. M anihi - The interior of the lagoon is filled with pearl farms, which is
The annual average rainfall is 1400 mm (about 55 in). Rainfall is not mark- the island’s main economic activity. Manihi is Polynesia’s biggest
edly different throughout the year, although it is lowest during the months

of September and November. black pearl producer. With a population of near 400, it still holds a casta-

T he sparse soil of the coral islands does not permit diverse vegetation. way dream spirit in the air.
The coconut palm, which forms the basis for copra production, is of
special economic importance. On a few islands, vanilla is also cultivated. R angiroa - Rangiroa’s lagoon could contain the whole island of Tahiti in
it. It is the biggest one in the Tuamotu archipelago and the second one
Agriculture is generally otherwise limited to simple subsistence. Fruit and in the planet. Its reefs’ passes contain an abundance of fishes and three or

vegetable staples include yams, taro, and breadfruit, as well as a wide four kinds of sharks which swimharmlessly. There are also a variety of land-

range of other tropical fruits. Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven to- based activities.

gether as roof thatch, as well as for other items, such as mats and hats. T ikehau - This almost perfect circle-shaped atoll is known worldwide
due to its fish density, the biggest one in the Tuamotu, according to
A t the 2007 census, the Tuamotus (including the Gambier Islands) had Jacques Cousteau. Fishing is the island’s main industry for every family in
a population of 18,317 inhabitants (15,862 in 2002, 8,100 in 1983). Of
these, 769 inhabitants live in a 215-nautical-mile (400 km; 250 mi) radius the island, which constantly ship their production to Papeete’s most im-

around Mururoa and Fangataufa, the sites of former French nuclear tests. portant markets. There is a variety of fish including manta-rays, barracuda,

The common language spoken in the Tuamotus is Tuamotuan, except in tuna fish, colorful coral fish and reef sharks.

Puka-Puka which uses the Marquesan language. The Gambier Islands use