The Tuamotus are the largest chain of atolls in the world, spanning an area of the Pacific Ocean roughly the size of Western Europe. Despite the vast spread of the archipelago, the combined land area is only about 885 km² (345 sq. mi.). The climate is warm tropical, without pronounced seasons and a relatively continuous average temperature of 26 °C (79 °F). Water sources such as lakes or rivers are absent, leaving the only source of fresh water as catchments of rain water.

Photo credit: Frédéric Jacquot
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