Suwarrow, Coral atoll in Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean
Suwarrow is a coral atoll in the Cook Islands featuring more than 20 small islets surrounding a central lagoon. The atoll now functions as a national park with sparse settlement and limited infrastructure.
The atoll was claimed under British sovereignty in 1889 after decades of resource extraction by various companies. This period of exploitation shaped the early years of the formation's colonial history.
Tom Neale documented his solitary life on the atoll through three periods between 1952 and 1977 in his publication 'An Island to Oneself'.
Access is by boat only, as the atoll lies far from other islands in the Pacific. Visitors should prepare for isolated conditions and bring necessary supplies with them.
A cyclone in 1942 destroyed a large portion of the original islands and permanently changed the atoll's geography. This natural disaster continues to shape what visitors see today.
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