Puka-Puka, Coral atoll in Tuamotus, French Polynesia
Puka-Puka is a coral atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago shaped like an ellipse and measuring roughly 6 kilometers long and 3 kilometers wide. The formation consists of around 17 small islands encircling a shallow, silted lagoon.
The atoll was first documented by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521 as San Pablo and later named Honden Eiland by Dutch explorers who found three dogs there in 1616. These early encounters established the place in European knowledge.
The people here speak Pukapukan, a Marquesic language distinct from dialects elsewhere in the Tuamotu Archipelago. This language shapes daily life and gives the community its own identity.
The atoll connects to Tahiti by way of a paved runway at Puka-Puka Airport, making arrival straightforward. The main settlement of Te One Mahina with its small population serves as a base for exploring the islands.
The Kon-Tiki expedition spotted this atoll on July 30, 1947, marking their first land sighting after 94 days crossing the Pacific. This moment became a turning point in their legendary voyage from South America.
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