Taravai is the second largest island in the Gambier Islands archipelago of French Polynesia, at 5.7 km<sup>2</sup>. Taravai is about 1.5 km southwest of Mangareva, the largest island of the whole Gambier group, and about 300 m north of the island of Angakauitai. Off its eastern shore lies the tiny rock Îlot Motu-o-ari.
The village named Agonoko is located near the main bay on the island's eastern shore. It has a population of 9 (). Former villages were Aga-nui (northwest) and Agakau-i-uta (southeast).
The Onemea archaeological site suggests sporadic occupation of the island around AD 950 with a possible continuous settlement since the 13th century.
Before the conversion to Christianity, the king of Taravai was a vassal to the king of Rikitea in Mangareva.
<gallery>
File:Vue.Taravai.JPG| View of Taravai and Angakauitai from Mont Mokoto
File:Eglise.Saint-Gabriel.Taravai.JPG| Church of Saint-Gabriel
File:Taravai.3.jpg| View of Mangareva and Aukena from Taravai
File:Taravai.2.jpg| Taravai
</gallery>
References
External links
- Mangareva, Tahiti - Death of a People