Location of the Raeffsky Islands in the Pacific Ocean
Map of the Tuamotus; the Raeffsky Islands are located in the central region.
The Raeffsky Islands or Raevski Islands (
French: Îles Raéffsky or Îles Raevski) is a subgroup with just over 3000 people in the
Tuamotu group in
French Polynesia. They are located roughly in the central area of the main Tuamotu
atoll cluster. (Latitude: 16° 45' 0 S, Longitude: 144° 13' 60 W.) Named after
Nikolay Raevsky, a Russian general of the Napoleonic wars.
Atolls
The Raeffsky Islands include the following atolls:
The
commune of Anaa consists of 4 atolls:
Anaa,
Faaite,
Tahanea and
Motutunga. The total population is of 639 inhabitants according to the 2002 census.
The commune of Fakarava consists of 7 atolls in Raeffsky Group:
Fakarava,
Aratika,
Kauehi,
Niau,
Raraka,
Taiaro and
Toau. The total population is of 1511 inhabitants.
UNESCO site
The ring-shaped atoll
Taiaro provides a rare example of a
coral reef with a fully enclosed lagoon. The atoll was officially designated as a
UNESCObiosphere reserve in 1977.[1]