a wide and deep lagoon with a
surface of 1,112 km² and two passes. The main pass to enter the lagoon,
located in its north-western end, is known as Passe Garuae and it is the
largest pass in French Polynesia; the southern pass is called Tumakohua.
It has a land area of 16km.
Fakarava has 855 inhabitants; the main village is called Rotoava
