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Archipelago

    Rimatara

    22°39′S 152°48′W

    Rimatara is the westernmost inhabited island in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia. It is located 550 km (340 mi) south of Tahiti and 150 km (93 mi) west of Rurutu. 50 sq mi). Its highest point is 106 m (348 ft). Its population was 893 at the 2022 census.

    NASA astronaut image of Rimatara, Austral Islands, French Polynesia. The top-left corner points to the South.
    NASA astronaut image of Rimatara, Austral Islands, French Polynesia. The top-left corner points to the South.

    NASA / Public domain

    Terrain

    22°39′S 152°48′W

    Terrain exaggerated for relief. Drag to look around.

    Overview

    Rimatara is the westernmost inhabited island in the Austral Islands of French Polynesia. It is located 550 km (340 mi) south of Tahiti and 150 km (93 mi) west of Rurutu. The land area of Rimatara is 8.6 km2 (3.3 sq mi), and that of the Maria islets is 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi). Its highest point is 106 m (348 ft). Its population was 893 at the 2022 census. Rimatara is a circular volcanic plateau surrounded by a reef with a height of 8 to 10 m (26 to 33 ft). The main villages are Amaru (the capital), Anapoto and Mutuaura. Rimatara was one of the last Polynesian islands to receive European visitors. Captain Samuel Pinder Henry discovered the island in 1811. Two Tahitian missionaries from Bora Bora arrived in 1822 and established a Protestant mission. France established a protectorate in 1889 and annexed Rimatara in 1901.

    From Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Chart

    Nearest islands

    Also in Austral Islands

    • Tubuai

      45.1 km²▲ 422 m

      Major islands

    • Rapa Iti

      37.9 km²▲ 650 m

      Major islands

    • Rurutu

      33.2 km²▲ 398 m

      Major islands

    • Raivavae

      14.9 km²▲ 437 m

      Major islands

    • Mano Rahi

      0.25 km²▲ 10 m

      Minor islands

    • Haha

      0.16 km²▲ 18 m

      Minor islands

    Also in Austral Islands

    Also in Polynesia

    • New Zealand

      268,021 km²

      Major islands

    • Samoa

      2,842 km²

      Minor islands

    • Rangiroa

      1,446 km²▲ 12 m

      Minor islands

    • Fakarava

      1,112 km²

      Minor islands

    • Tonga

      749 km²

      Minor islands

    • Hao

      720 km²▲ 3 m

      Minor islands

    • Apataki

      706 km²

      Minor islands

    • Makemo

      603 km²

      Minor islands

    Also in Leeward Islands

    • New Zealand

      268,021 km²

      Major islands

    • Samoa

      2,842 km²

      Minor islands

    • Rangiroa

      1,446 km²▲ 12 m

      Minor islands

    • Fakarava

      1,112 km²

      Minor islands

    • Tonga

      749 km²

      Minor islands

    • Hao

      720 km²▲ 3 m

      Minor islands

    • Apataki

      706 km²

      Minor islands

    • Makemo

      603 km²

      Minor islands

    Also in Society Islands

    • New Zealand

      268,021 km²

      Major islands

    • Samoa

      2,842 km²

      Minor islands

    • Rangiroa

      1,446 km²▲ 12 m

      Minor islands

    • Fakarava

      1,112 km²

      Minor islands

    • Tahiti

      1,044 km²▲ 2,241 m

      Minor islands

    • Tonga

      749 km²

      Minor islands

    • Hao

      720 km²▲ 3 m

      Minor islands

    • Apataki

      706 km²

      Minor islands

    Also in Pacific Islands

    • New Guinea

      774,566 km²▲ 4,884 m

      Major islands

    • Japan

      377,974 km²

      Major islands

    • New Zealand

      268,021 km²

      Major islands

    • Honshu

      227,970 km²▲ 3,776 m

      Major islands

    • Luzon

      104,935 km²▲ 2,928 m

      Major islands

    • Mindanao

      93,885 km²▲ 2,954 m

      Major islands

    • Hokkaido

      77,983 km²▲ 2,291 m

      Minor islands

    • Sakhalin

      74,571 km²▲ 1,609 m

      Minor islands

    Sources

    Facts

    • Geometry, areas and high points: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), Copernicus GLO-30, via Talus.
    • Talus
    • Wikidata
    • Wikipedia

    Photographs