This atoll
was discovered by the Russian explorer Mikhail Lazarev. The atoll (0,4 sqkm) is presently
uninhabited.
Suwarrow atoll seen from the Space
Shuttle.
ISS004E3343 "Image
courtesy of the Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center":
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
NASSAU
Nassau (1,2
sqkm and 120 inhabitants) is an atoll without the central lagoon.
Nassau island seen from the Space Shuttle.
ISS002E9917 "Image courtesy of
the Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center": http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
PUKA PUKA
Puka Puka
(5,1 sqkm and 800 inhabitants) is an atoll comprising three islets and a sandbank. It lies
1150 km north-west of Rarotonga.
Puka Puka atoll seen from the Space
Shuttle.
ISS002E9622 "Image
courtesy of the Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center":
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
MANIHIKI
Manihiki
(5,4 sqkm and 500 inhabitants) is a typical atoll with a lagoon comprising 40 tiny islets.
Manihiki atoll seen from the Space
Shuttle.
ISS002E10046 "Image
courtesy of the Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center":
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
RAKAHANGA
Rakahanga
(4,1 sqkm and 300 inhabitants) is a rectangular atoll with a lagoon. This atoll was
discovered on 2 March 1606 by Pedro Fernandez de Quiros.
Rakahanga atoll seen from the Space
Shuttle.
ISS002E10047 "Image
courtesy of the Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center":
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
PENRHYN or TONGAREVA
Penrhyn
(9,8 sqkm and 500 inhabitants) is a typical atoll with a lagoon with three passages into
the lagoon, it's the largest atoll in the group. It lies 1365 km north-east of Rarotonga.
Penrhyn or Tongareva atoll seen from the
Space Shuttle.
ISS009E05524
"Image courtesy of the Image Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center":
http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov
