population: 0.13 million

extension: 33.4 square kilometers

Museums

Since Rikitea is a small town with limited museum options, there are no museums in the immediate vicinity. However, you can take a short boat ride to the nearby island of Mangareva, where you can visit the Mangareva Cultural Center. This center has a wide range of exhibits and artifacts that showcase the history and culture of the Gambier Islands.

Food

In Rikitea and throughout French Polynesia, some of the most recommended, popular, and typical dishes to try include:

1. Poisson cru - a raw fish salad marinated in lime juice, coconut milk, and diced vegetables.
2. Pua'a roti - pork roasted in an underground oven with breadfruit and taro leaves.
3. Firi firi - a sweet coconut pudding often served as a dessert or snack.
4. I'a ota - a raw fish dish similar to poisson cru but with different ingredients such as ginger, garlic, and tomatoes.
5. Poulet fafa - chicken cooked in a creamy spinach and coconut sauce.
6. Pain coco - sweet coconut bread often served with breakfast or as a snack.

These dishes are widely enjoyed by locals and visitors alike and provide a delicious taste of the unique and diverse food culture of French Polynesia.

Activities

Some fun activities that local people like to do in Rikitea and the surrounding islands include:

1. Snorkeling or diving in the pristine coral reefs around the Gambier Islands.
2. Exploring the lush jungle landscapes of Mangareva on a hiking or biking tour.
3. Visiting the historic St. Michael's Cathedral in Rikitea, which dates back to the 19th century and is one of the oldest churches in French Polynesia.
4. Attending a traditional dance or music performance at one of the local community centers.
5. Taking a boat tour to visit some of the smaller uninhabited islands in the Gambier archipelago, where you can see unique wildlife and beautiful natural landscapes.