Nihiru

Nihiru
	NASA picture of Nihiru Atoll
	Nihiru
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	16°44′S 142°50′W / 16.733°S 142.833°W
Archipelago	Tuamotus
Area	79 km2 (31 sq mi) (lagoon); 20 km2 (8 sq mi) (above water)
Length	14 km (8.7 mi)
Width	10.5 km (6.52 mi)
Administration
	France
Overseas collectivity	French Polynesia
Administrative subdivision	Tuamotus
Commune	Makemo
Demographics
Population	11 (2012)

Nihiru, or Niukia, is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is a relatively small atoll located 49 km to the east of Makemo Atoll and 30 km northeast of Marutea Atoll.

Nihiru Atoll is roughly triangular in shape. It measures 14 km in length with a maximum width of 10.5 km. Its lagoon has an area of 79 km².

Nihiru had 11 inhabitants in 2012, most of whom originated from Taenga.

History

The first recorded European to arrive to Nihiru was Russian oceanic explorer Fabian Gottlieb von Bellingshausen in 1820 on ships Vostok and Mirni. He named this atoll "Nigeri".

Administration

Nihiru Atoll belongs to the commune of Makemo, which consists of the atolls of Makemo, Haraiki, Marutea Nord, Katiu, Tuanake, Hiti, Tepoto Sud, Raroia, Takume, Taenga and Nihiru.