Taroa Island

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Taroa Island
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Taroa Island
Geography
LocationNorth Pacific Ocean
Coordinates 08°42′16″N171°14′00″E / 8.70444°N 171.23333°E / 8.70444; 171.23333
Archipelago Ratak
Area1.83 km2 (0.71 sq mi)
Highest elevation8 m (26 ft)
Administration
Demographics
Population130 [1]
Ethnic groups Marshallese

Taroa is an island in the east of Maloelap Atoll in the Marshall Islands. During World War II, it was the site of a major Japanese airfield (Taroa Airfield). The airfield was destroyed near the close of World War II, and parts of the base and its ruins are still visible all over the island.

The island was not resettled by the Marshallese until the 1970s, but is now the atoll's main economic center due to the re-opened airstrip and local copra production.

Map

1943 Map of the Taroa Taroa Island - NARA - 100360027.jpg
1943 Map of the Taroa

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References

  1. Spennemann, Dirk HR. "Taroa, Maloelap Atoll A brief virtual tour through a Japanese airbase in the Marshall Islands".

8°42′16″N171°14′00″E / 8.70444°N 171.23333°E / 8.70444; 171.23333