Atuona, located on

Atuona Bay Atuona Bay (French Baie d'Atuona or Baie Tahauku) is a small inlet on the north shore of Ta‘a ‘Oa (the Bay of Traitors), on the southern coast of Hiva ‘Oa. The bay is traditionally called Vevau in Marquesan. At the head of the bay lies ...

on the southern side of

Hiva Oa With its , Hiva Oa is the second largest island in the Marquesas Islands, in French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. Located at 9 45' south latitude and 139 W longitude, it is the largest island of the southern Mar ...

island, French Polynesia, is the administrative centre of the

commune A commune is an alternative term for an intentional community. Commune or comună or comune or other derivations may also refer to: Administrative-territorial entities * Commune (administrative division), a municipality or township ** Communes of ...

(municipality) of

Hiva-Oa Hiva-Oa is a commune in France, commune of French Polynesia, an overseas territory of France in the Pacific Ocean. The commune is in the French Polynesia#Administrative divisions, administrative subdivision of the Marquesas Islands.

. Atuona was the capital of all the

Marquesas Islands The Marquesas Islands (; french: Îles Marquises or ' or '; Marquesan: ' ( North Marquesan) and ' ( South Marquesan), both meaning "the land of men") are a group of volcanic islands in French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity of France in ...

but it has been replaced by

Taiohae Taiohae is the main town on Nuku Hiva island. The town is located on a former volcanic crater A volcanic crater is an approximately circular depression in the ground caused by volcanic activity. It is typically a bowl-shaped feature containing ...

(on

Nuku Hiva Nuku Hiva (sometimes spelled Nukahiva or Nukuhiva) is the largest of the Marquesas Islands in French Polynesia, an overseas country of France in the Pacific Ocean. It was formerly also known as ''Île Marchand'' and ''Madison Island''. Herman ...

). The peak

Temetiu Temetiu is the South Marquesan name for the highest peak of the mountain ridge that rises above the western end of Ta'a Oa (the Bay of Traitors) in southwestern Hiva Oa. Rising to 1,213 m (3,980 ft.) above sea level, Temetiu is also the hi ...

, rising to 1,213 m (3,980 ft) above sea level, towers above the town. Atuona was the final home of

Paul Gauguin Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin (, ; ; 7 June 1848 – 8 May 1903) was a French Post-Impressionist artist. Unappreciated until after his death, Gauguin is now recognized for his experimental use of colour and Synthetist style that were distinct fr ...

, who died there in 1903 and is buried in Calvary Cemetery, which overlooks the town. The Belgian singer Jacques Brel is also buried there. In 2003, construction on the

Paul Gauguin Cultural Center The Paul Gauguin Cultural Center (french: Le Centre Culturel Paul Gauguin) was finished in 2003, to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the death of Paul Gauguin, in Atuona, on Hiva Oa, in the Marquesas Islands ( French Polynesia). Atuona was P ...

was completed in Atuona.

Climate

http://www.worldweatheronline.com/v2/weather-averages.aspx?q=HIX

References

External links

Gauguin Cultural Center
Populated places in the Marquesas Islands {{FrenchPolynesia-geo-stub

Climate

See also

References

External links