Moruroa
Moruroa (Mururoa, Mururura), also historically known as Aopuni, is an atoll which forms part of the Tuamotu Archipelago in French Polynesia in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is located about 1,250 kilometres (780 mi) southeast of Tahiti. Administratively Moruroa Atoll is part of the commune of Tureia, which includes the atolls of Tureia, Fangataufa, Tematangi and Vanavana. France undertook nuclear weapon tests between 1966 and 1996 at Moruroa and Fangataufa, causing international protests, notably in 1974 and 1995. The number of tests performed on Moruroa has been variously reported as 175 and 181.
NASA picture of Moruroa Atoll | |
Moruroa | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Pacific Ocean |
| Coordinates | 21°50′S 138°50′W |
| Archipelago | Tuamotus |
| Area | 148 km2 (57 sq mi) (lagoon) 15 km2 (5.8 sq mi) (above water) |
| Length | 28 km (17.4 mi) |
| Width | 11 km (6.8 mi) |
| Administration | |
France | |
| Overseas collectivity | French Polynesia |
| Administrative subdivision | Tuamotus |
| Commune | Tureia |
| Demographics | |
| Population | Uninhabited (2012) |
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