Taputapuatea is a commune of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune of Taputapuatea is located on the island of Raiatea, in the administrative subdivision of the Leeward Islands, themselves part of the Society Islands. At the 2017 census it had a population of 4,792.[1] The commune was named after a large marae complex which was the religious center of eastern Polynesia for roughly 1000 years.[2] The archaeological site of Taputapuatea marae is still today the most famous landmark of Raiatea, and it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2017.[2]
Taputapuatea | |
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Commune | |
![]() View of the ancient marae at the archaeological complex of Taputapuatea, restored in 1994 | |
![]() Location of the commune (in red) within the Leeward Islands | |
Location of Taputapuatea ![]() | |
Coordinates: 16°50′15″S 151°21′32″W | |
Country | France |
Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
Subdivision | Leeward Islands |
Government | |
• Mayor (2020–2026) | Thomas Moutame |
Area 1 | 88.5 km2 (34.2 sq mi) |
Population (2017) | 4,792 |
• Density | 54/km2 (140/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC−10:00 |
INSEE/Postal code | 98750 /98735 |
Elevation | 0–758 m (0–2,487 ft) |
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries. |
UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
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![]() Tiki on the marae at Taputapuatea | |
Location | Raiatea, French Polynesia, France |
Criteria | Cultural: (iii)(iv)(vi) |
Reference | 1529 |
Inscription | 2017 (41st Session) |
Area | 2,124 ha (5,250 acres) |
Buffer zone | 3,363 ha (8,310 acres) |
Coordinates | 16°50′29.04″S 151°22′20.56″W |
Taputapuatea consists of the following associated communes:
The administrative centre of the commune is the settlement of Avera.
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