Location of the Palliser Islands in the
Pacific Ocean
The Palliser Islands or Pallisers are a subgroup of the
Tuamotu group in
French Polynesia. They are located in the very northwest of the main group of atolls.[1]
Administratively, Apataki and Kaukura atolls belong to the
commune of Arutua, with a total population of 1510 inhabitants.
Toau,
Niau, and
Fakarava, belong to the commune of
Fakarava. The total population is of 1800 inhabitants.
The commune of Rangiroa consists of 3 atolls: Rangiroa itself, Tikehau and Mataiva, and a separate island (Makatea). The total population is of 3467 inhabitants.
History
The Palliser Islands were named "Palliser's Isles" by Captain
James Cook, who was the first
European to sight them, on 19 April and 20 April 1774; naming them as such in honour of Admiral Sir
Hugh Palliser.[2]
References
^Samuel Augustus Mitchell, An accompaniment to Mitchell's map of the world on Mercator's projection