The Tuamotus (French: Îles Tuamotu or officially Archipel des Tuamotu) are the largest chain of atolls in the world, spanning an area of the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe.
Administratively, the Tuamotus are part of the Îles Tuamotu-Gambier, which form one of the 5 administrative subdivisions (subdivision administratives) of French Polynesia, the administrative subdivision of the Tuamotu-Gambier (Islands) (subdivision administrative des (Îles) Tuamotu-Gambier) with 17 communes: The 16 communes Anaa, Arutua, Fakarava, Fangatau, Gambier, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Manihi, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Rangiroa, Reao, Takaroa-takapoto, Tatakoto and Tureia of the Tuamotus and the commune Gambier, comprising the Gambier Islands.
The islands/communes in the eastern part of the Tuamotus, together with the Gambier Islands (Gambier), form the electoral circumscription of the Gambier Islands and the Islands Tuamotu-East (circonscription électorale des Îles Gambier et Tuamotu Est), one of the 6 electoral districts (circonscriptions électorales) for the Assembly of French Polynesia (Assemblée de la Polynésie française) with 12 communes: The commune Gambier on the Gambier Islands and the 11 communes Anaa, Fangatau, Hao, Hikueru, Makemo, Napuka, Nukutavake, Pukapuka, Reao, Tatakoto and Tureia in the eastern part of the Tuamotus.
The islands/communes in the western part of the Tuamotus form the electoral circumscription of the Islands Tuamotu-West (circonscription électorale des Îles Tuamotu Ouest), a separate electoral district for the Assembly of French Polynesia, with the 5 communes Arutua, Fakarava, Manihi, Rangiroa and Takaroa in the western part of the Tuamotus.
Only 769 inhabitants live in a 400 kilometer (250 mile) radius around Moruroa and Fangataufa, the sites of the French nuclear tests.
The language spoken in the Tuamotus is Tuamotuan, a collection of Polynesian dialects, except for in Puka-Puka and the Gambier Islands, where Puka-Pukan and Mangarevan are spoken, respectively.
Tourism-related income remains meager, especially by comparison to the tourism industry of the neighboring Society Islands. A modest tourism infrastructure is found on the atolls of Rangiroa and Manihi, two favorite scuba-diving and Snorkeling destinations.
Despite the vast spread of the archipelago, it covers a total land area of only about 885 km² (345 sq. mi.).
The climate is warm tropical, without pronounced seasons. The annual average temperature is a relatively continuous 26°C (79°F). Water sources such as lakes or rivers are absent, leaving the only source of fresh water as catchments of rain water. The annual average rainfall is 1400 mm (about 55 in.). Rainfall is not markedly different throughout the year, although it is lowest during the months between September and November.
Fruit and vegetable staples include yams, Taro, and Breadfruit, as well as a wide range of other tropical fruits.
Pandanus leaves are traditionally woven together as roof thatch (although nowadays there are a great number of corrugated sheet-metal roofs instead), as well as for other items, such as mats and hats.
The animal life on the islands is limited to primarily birds (mostly seabirds), insects and lizards. The underwater fauna however, is diverse. The beautiful and species-rich reefs make the Tuamotus one of the most scenic scuba-diving destinations in the world.
Makatea, southwest of the Palliser Islands, is one of three great Phosphate rocks in the Pacific Ocean. The others are Banaba in Kiribati, and the island nation of Nauru.
Although geographically part of the Tuamotus, the Gambier Islands, at the southeastern extreme of the Archipelago, are geologically and culturally distinct.
The Tuamotus were first "discovered" for Europeans by the Navigator Ferdinand Magellan, during his circumglobal voyage in 1521. His visit was followed by:
None of these visits were of political consequence, the islands being in the sphere of influence of the Pomare dynasty of Tahiti.
At the beginning 18th century the first Christian missionaries arrived. The islands' pearls penetrated the European market in the late 1800s, making them a coveted possession. Following the forced abdication of King Pomare V of Tahiti, the islands were annexed as an overseas Territory of France.
The Tuamotus made headlines around the world in 1947, when archaeologist Thor Heyerdahl, sailing from South America reached Raroia on his raft, Kon-Tiki.
More recently the islands have made headlines for a darker reason: French nuclear weapons testing on the atolls of Mururoa (sometimes called also Moruroa) and Fangataufa.