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NASA orbital photo of Nanumea

Nanumea is the northwesternmost atoll of the nation of Tuvalu with a population of about 550 in 2012. Nanumea is a classic atoll, a series of low islets sitting on a coral reef shelf surrounding a lagoon. About 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) long by 2.5 kilometres (1.6 mi) wide in overall size, the dry land area is about 3.9 square kilometres (1.5 sq mi).

According to the mythical history of Nanumea a warrior named Tefolaha was the first ancestor. Some accounts say Tefolaha and his crew came from Tonga, others name Samoa. Tefolaha, found the island of Nanumea populated by two women, Pai and Vau, whom it was believed had formed it from baskets of sand. Tefolaha wagered with them for the island and eventually won it through trickery, whereupon Pai and Vau departed. (More...)