Gambier Islands
Gambrian Islandsof the Gambier Archipelago
The Gambier Islands are the furthest from Tahiti of all the archipelagos in Polynesia. Discovery in 1797 by Capt. James Wilson, the island was designated in honour of Admiral James Gambier, who funded his South Pacific outing. A few years later, in 1834, the coming of Catholics from the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Picpus fundamentally changed the way of living of the island' s inhabitants.
Saint-Michel de Rikitea Cathedral, erected in 1841 on the Mangareva Islands, is probably one of the most attractive and oldest buildings of religion in Polynesia (it is currently being renovated). The four high islands and a few small islands about 1630km south-west of Tahiti are the least densely inhabited of all the archipelago.
Mangareva, the principal isle, owns more than 80% of the populace of the islands with pearling as its principal income. Well-known for their beauties, the gems of the Gambier Islands demand very special installation and finishing technologies in which the people of the islands stand out. In Mangareva the Duff mountain (also known as Auorotini ) is 441m high and offers a breath-taking look.
There are breathtaking and unparalleled coves. Mangareva is 1600 km eastwards of the Isle of Tahiti and is the principal isle of the Gambier Islands, a small group of a decade of islands situated in a uniquely large blue coloured lake. Situated to the north of Mangareva, this isle has a beautiful sandy area.
Situated on this small islet in the Gambier Islands is the first rock monastery in Polynesia. Situated in the southern part of Mangareva, this isle is known for its wonderful sandy beach and the wonderful Saint-Gabriel shell-decorated churches. For several years Akamaru was the home of the Père Honoré Laval just outside Aukena.
The Gambier Islands are the furthest from Tahiti of all the archipelagos in Polynesia. Discovery in 1797 by Capt. James Wilson, the island was designated in honour of Admiral James Gambier, who funded his South Pacific outing.