Manihi

Manihi is an atoll in the Tuamotu Archipelago of French Polynesia. It forms the commune of Manihi in the Îles Tuamotu-Gambier administrative subdivision and is located in the central Pacific Ocean. The atoll consists of a ring-shaped coral reef that encloses a shallow lagoon, with several villages along the encircling rim. The climate is tropical, with a warm year-round temperature and a seasonal variation in rainfall.

Manihi has a small, dispersed population. The community is centered in its main village along the lagoon. The local culture reflects Polynesian heritage alongside French administrative influence, with Tuamotu language and French used in daily life.

Economy: The atoll is best known for its pearl farming, particularly black pearls, which have been produced there since the mid-20th century. Fishing and small-scale tourism, including snorkelling and lagoon visits, supplement livelihoods.

Access and administration: Manihi is accessible by air via a local airport that connects with Tahiti, and by inter-island shipping. Administratively, the atoll is part of French Polynesia and falls under the commune of Manihi within the Îles Tuamotu-Gambier.

History: The atoll was settled by Polynesians long before European contact and became part of the French overseas collectivity in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the pearl industry forming a defining feature of its modern economy.