Travel Guide Otepa

Regional Center of Southeast Tuamotu, Hao is a large atoll extending 60 km long over 14 km wide, discovered by the Spanish Quiros in 1606. He is happily named «island of the harp» because of his configuration of a crown.From the 1960 s, it grew very strongly and hosted more than 1,500 inhabitants, mainly in the village of Otepa. Indeed, the Office of the Atomic Energy Commissioner's infrastructure was established, allowing for the accommodation of the personnel of the Pacific Experimentation Center (CEP).The first atomic tests in Mururoa and Fangataufa, distant by 500 km, were air. Thus, a real metropolis was installed in Hao, up to 5,000 people could reside there. It built a 3,300 m long aircraft landing strip and a college and medical center. After the later trials were underground, military personnel were then moved to Mururoa and Fangataufa.With the stop of the trials, life resumed its quiet course in Hao, and the installations were preserved, then they perished and fell gradually in ruins. The island now has 1,258 inhabitants (census 2017).In recent years, Hao has been trying to attract investors. Its central position at the Tuamotu in the south-east is already a first attraction in this isolated part of Polynesia. But it is mainly the presence of the CEP legacy infrastructures that ensure the island's economic assets: runway for large aircraft, deep water port for high-tonnage ships, electricity, desalinization plant, schools, etc. But still no bank…The government also relies on financial and tax assistance.