Pukapuka, Remote coral atoll in northern Cook Islands.
Pukapuka is a remote coral atoll in the northern Cook Islands, located roughly 1150 kilometers (715 miles) northwest of Rarotonga. The three low-lying coral islets enclose a crescent-shaped bay and reach a maximum height of just a few meters above sea level.
European navigators first reached the atoll in the late 16th century, before later expeditions gave it different names. Polynesian settlement, however, began centuries earlier and shaped the culture present today.
The three islets form a remote settlement in the northeastern Cook Islands where the community practices fishing and copra production. Traditional weaving from coconut fiber and pandanus leaves follows patterns that differ from those on other atolls.
Access to the atoll is only by air, with connections infrequent and heavily dependent on weather conditions. Travelers should plan flexible dates and contact local airlines well in advance.
Archaeological finds from early settlement periods included bones of large dogs similar in size to Australian dingoes. Such animals were uncommon in this region of the Pacific and point to early migration patterns.
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