Marutea, or Taunga tauranga-e-havana,[2] is one of the Tuamotu atolls in French Polynesia. It is located 24 km to the southeast of Makemo Atoll and 30 km southwest of Nihiru Atoll.
Marutea Atoll measures 42 km in length with a maximum width of 17 km. Its lagoon has an area of 458 km2 and one pass to enter it. It has a land area of approx 2.7 km2. This atoll is very low and its reef is often awash.
Marutea Atoll is permanently uninhabited.
Marutea Nord should not be confused with Marutea Sud located in the far south-eastern reaches of the Tuamotu Archipelago at 21˚ 30'S., 135˚ 32'W.
History
Taunga-tauranga-e-havana, the second native name of Marutea, means "the friendly bird that rested and plumed itself on our mast" —so says Marerenui, a native of Faaite Atoll. There is a legend attached to this name, of which only fragments can be obtained.[3]
The first recorded European to arrive to Marutea Atoll was Captain James Cook in 1773. Historically Marutea has appeared as "Furneaux Island" in some maps.
