Aitutaki, also traditionally known as Araura, Ararau and Utataki, is one of the Cook Islands, north of Rarotonga. It has a population of approximately 2,000. Aitutaki is the second most visited island of the Cook Islands. The capital (main village) is Arutanga (Arutunga) on the west side. Geography Aitutaki is an "almost atoll". It has a maximum elevation of approximately 123 metres with the hill known as Maunga Pu close to its northernmost point. The land area of the atoll is 18.05 km², of which the main island occupies 16.8 km². The Ootu Peninsula, protruding east from the main island in a southerly direction along the eastern rim of the reef, takes up 1.75 km² out of these 16.8 km² for the main island. For the lagoon, area figures between 50 and 74 km² are found. Satellite image (wallpaper) measurement suggests that the larger figure also includes the reef flat, which is commonly not considered part of a lagoon. The barrier reef that forms the basis of Aitutaki is roughly the shape of an equilateral triangle with sides 12 kilometres in length. The southern edge of the triangle is almost totally below the surface of the ocean, and the eastern side is composed of a string of small islands (including Mangere, Akaiami, and Tekopua). The western side of the atoll contains many of Aitutaki's important features including a boat passage through the barrier reef allowing for anchorage close to shore at Arutanga. Towards the south of the side is a small break in the barrier reef, allowing access for small boats to the lagoon which covers most of the southern part of the triangle. Further to the north is the bulk of the main island. Its fertile volcanic soil provide tropical fruits and vegetables. Two of Aitutaki's 15 islets (motus) are also volcanic. The rest are made of coral. Aitutaki Airport is located close to the triangle's northern point. There is an area suitable for the landing of flying boats in the south eastern part of the lagoon. History Polynesians probably first settled Aitutaki around AD 900. The first known European contact was with Captain Bligh and the crew of the "HMS Bounty" when they discovered Aitutaki on Apr. 11, 1789 (223 years ago), prior to the infamous mutiny. Aitutaki was the first of the Cook Islands to accept Christianity, after London Missionary Society (LMS) missionary John Williams visited in 1821 (191 years ago). The oldest church in the country, the Cook Islands Christian Church in Arutanga, was built by Papeiha (Borabora) and Vahapata (Raiatea), two LMS teachers Williams had left behind. In 1942 (70 years ago) New Zealand and American forces were stationed on the island, building the two-way airstrip that can be seen today. This airport, and one on the northernmost Penrhyn Island, were to be used as bases by the Allies during the World War II. The first aircraft, an American light bomber, landed on Nov. 22, 1942 (70 years ago). When the war ended some of the servicemen remained and married the locals. During the 1950 (62 years ago) Aitutaki's lagoon was used as a stopover for TEAL (Tasman Empire Airways Limited) flying boats on the famous Coral Route. The islet of Akaiami was used as a resting stop for passengers, who often lay about until the aircraft was refuelled for two hours. These operations ceased in 1960 (52 years ago), and the only reminder are the remains of the purpose-built jetty on Akaiami. The flying boat 'Aranui', which was part of this service, is now on display at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, New Zealand. Two of Aitutaki's motus (small islands), Rapota and Moturakau, were the locations of the first series of the UK reality TV program Shipwrecked in 2000 (12 years ago). More recently, in 2001 (11 years ago), Steve Fossett passed over just south of Aitutaki in the balloon Solo Spirit during his round-the-world trip. In 2006 (6 years ago), the island was used as the location for the tribal council in Survivor: Cook Islands. Surrounding islands were used for tribal camps and crew locations. One of the tribes was named Aitutaki (or 'Aitu') after the island. Then, not long afterwards, Shipwrecked returned again, with Shipwrecked: Battle of the Islands. This was filmed on the same islands as before.

Navigation Previous picture Back to gallery Next picture View in fullscreen Rate this picture Click on the star to vote Download 1024x768 1152x864 - widescreen 1280x960 1440x1080 - 1080i HD 1600x1200 Use this wallpaper Set this wallpaper as homepage Comments

Users who have seen this wallpaper have also seen:

Kiyomizu-dera Temple, Japan

Matsumoto Castle, Japan

Church in Rila Monastery

Uluru Ayres Rock, NT, Australia

View Over Rome

Random Known places pictures

Mont Saint Michel At Dawn, Normandy, France

Schloss Elmau

Schloss Elmau

Campus Charite Regierungsv

Nice Sea Cliff

Request deletion of this wallpaper

Claim ownership of this picture