Rakahanga Atoll

▪ atoll, Cook Islands, Pacific Ocean

      one of the northern Cook Islands, a self-governing state in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. It is a coral atoll 3 miles (5 km) long comprising eight islets. Discovered (1606) by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernándes de Quirós, it was annexed to Britain (1889) and later placed under New Zealand administration (1901). Rakahanga has also been known as Grand Duke Alexander, Reirson, and Little Ganges Island. Coconuts are the staple diet and provide copra for export. Some attempts have been made to establish pearl shell beds in the lagoon. The lagoon, protected from the open sea by a reef, can be entered through either of two passages. Area (land only) 1.6 square miles (4.1 square km). Pop. (2006) 141.

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