Atuona

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Atuona
HivaOa Atuona 20061110.JPG
View of Atuona from Baie Tahauku
Marquesas Islands location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Location within Marquesas Islands
Location of Atuona
Atuona
Coordinates: 9°48′11″S139°2′23″W / 9.80306°S 139.03972°W / -9.80306; -139.03972
Country France
Overseas collectivity French Polynesia
Subdivision Marquesas Islands
Commune Hiva Oa
Population
 (2022) [1]
1,993
Time zone UTC−9:30

Atuona, located on Atuona Bay on the southern side of Hiva Oa island, French Polynesia, is the administrative centre of the commune (municipality) of Hiva-Oa. Atuona was the capital of all the Marquesas Islands but it has been replaced by Taioha'e (on Nuku Hiva).

Contents

The peak Temetiu, rising to 1,213 m (3,980 ft) above sea level, towers above the town.

Atuona was the final home of Paul Gauguin, who died there in 1903 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, which overlooks the town. The Belgian singer Jacques Brel is also buried there. In 2003, construction on the Paul Gauguin Cultural Center was completed in Atuona.

Climate

Climate data for Atuona (1961–1990)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)30.6
(87.1)
30.9
(87.6)
30.9
(87.6)
30.6
(87.1)
30.0
(86.0)
29.0
(84.2)
28.5
(83.3)
28.5
(83.3)
29.1
(84.4)
29.9
(85.8)
30.6
(87.1)
30.8
(87.4)
30.0
(85.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)22.8
(73.0)
23.1
(73.6)
23.5
(74.3)
23.5
(74.3)
23.0
(73.4)
22.7
(72.9)
22.2
(72.0)
22.1
(71.8)
22.1
(71.8)
22.2
(72.0)
22.4
(72.3)
22.7
(72.9)
22.7
(72.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches)128.7
(5.07)
122.2
(4.81)
147.0
(5.79)
131.4
(5.17)
144.1
(5.67)
178.4
(7.02)
136.7
(5.38)
112.6
(4.43)
68.0
(2.68)
85.5
(3.37)
69.9
(2.75)
97.3
(3.83)
1,421.8
(55.97)
Mean monthly sunshine hours 249.7223.6226.2218.8219.2193.4202.0217.6223.6241.4245.2244.12,704.8
Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [2]

See also

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References

  1. "Les résultats du recensement de la population 2022 de Polynésie française" [Results of the 2022 population census of French Polynesia](PDF) (in French). Institut de la statistique de la Polynésie française. January 2023.
  2. "Station Name: ATUONA" (CSV). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.