What does atoll mean. What is an atoll? Structure and stages of education. New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova
ATOLL
ATOLL a ring-shaped coral reef that surrounds the water area. Coral reefs are common in tropical and subtropical latitudes, most widely in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The word "atoll" comes from the name used by the peoples of Oceania for the reefs that form a chain small islands, towering 4-6 m above the water surface. Sometimes reefs are flooded, and between their individual parts there are deep straits. The lake-like waters within the atolls are called lagoons. Usually their depth is 18-30 m, but sometimes it reaches 90 m. Structure. The main material from which they are built Coral reefs, is a limestone formed as a result of the accumulation of skeletons of marine animals and plants containing calcium carbonate, mainly corals and coralline algae. Islets scattered along the reefs usually consist of limestone fragments and crumbs - products of wave activity. Often, small dunes are formed from this material under the influence of wind. The outer coast of most of the atoll islands is a rather narrow strip of fringing reefs, often with an even border of massive pink calcareous algae and steep, narrow beaches composed of limestone fragments. Behind the coastal ridge of the beach, coarse-grained material is replaced by crushed stone, which is further replaced by gravel as it is crushed. In the center of the islet there is often a depression filled with saline soil stained with humus. The interior of the islet is usually composed of coarse-grained coral sand or fine gravel, while the central parts of the beach are composed of fine calcareous sand. If the atoll is completely raised above sea level, then the limestones composing it usually erode and form a rough surface - "macatea". The groundwater level is very close there, and small wells are often dug near the center of the islands. If the island is large or there is a lot of rainfall, then the groundwater is almost fresh, but if it is small or located in an area with little rainfall, then the groundwater is brackish or saline. Flora. The vegetation cover is the most remarkable characteristic of the surface of the atolls. It is sparse and most often consists of several species of widespread herbaceous plants and tree species that live in the coastal strip. In the distribution of vegetation, a certain zonality is observed in the direction from the outer edge of the atoll to the inner one. She may be in in general terms described for the entire Indo-Pacific region, where atolls are especially numerous, and their flora is of the same type. The outer zone is represented by shrubs, among which the shrub scaevola (Scaevola frutescens) predominates. This is followed by forests, mainly from such halophytes as silver messerschmidia (Messerschmidia argenta) and roofing pandanus (Pandanus tectorius). Even farther from the coast, there are fewer halophytes, and cordia (Cordia), large pisonia (Pisonia grandis), ochrosia (Ochrosia) and other species appear. In the center, in more mesophytic conditions, the primary vegetation cover probably consisted of such trees as the magnificent leopard (Guettarda speciosa), lime-shaped hibiscus (Hibiscus tiliacens), ficus, pisonia, pandanus, Asian barringtonia (Barringtonia asiatica), terminalia (Terminalia) and etc. On most of the islands, these forests were subsequently replaced by plantations of coconut palms and breadfruit. The inner zone of the beaches is characterized by a narrow strip of trees such as hernandia, calophyllum, pandanus, thespesia, cordia. On sandbars Suriana maritima and scaevola are usually found between the islets, and sour pemphis (Pemphis acidula) at rock outcrops. In places, in the inner parts of the islets, waterlogged depressions are found, and in some of them they are confined to hard rocks. In such conditions, some tree species typical of mangrove swamps are found. Other islets are swampy and treeless, dominated by grasses and sedges. On inhabited islands, soil is taken out of these depressions and filled with humus, and then used to grow taro, sugar cane and other plants. Due to the salinity of the soil, few (except those listed above) cultivated plants can grow on low coral islets. Taro, breadfruit and coconuts are the main food of the population, in addition, coconuts are a source of drinking water. Other Natural resources. The vast majority of the atolls are inhabited, and there, crop production depends on the potential fertility of nutrient-poor saline soils. The main crop is coconuts. Along with the above plants, the basis of the diet of the population is fish and shellfish, which abound in lagoons, reefs and adjacent open water areas. Other trade items are guano, pearls, shells for making buttons and dried holothurians. The most fertile are the large atolls that rise above sea level, especially if they are confined to very humid areas. They feature much more lush vegetation, richer flora, and a much more diverse array of crops. Apparently, all this is associated with lower soil salinity. On the uplifted atolls, there are often large deposits of phosphorites (probably formed from ancient deposits of guano). Such atolls include the islands of Makatea, Nauru, Ocean, Angaur. Guano deposits on many atoll islands were formed as a result of the life of sea birds - gannets, frigatebirds, terns and tropical birds that breed here. In addition to the listed birds and land crabs, including the palm thief, the terrestrial fauna is poor: rats dominate, and in the western part Pacific Ocean fruit bats (fruit-eating bats) are numerous. The waters abound with turtles, spiny lobsters, giant bivalves, and many kinds of fish. The rich fauna of the reefs includes many species of invertebrates. famous atolls. The largest groups of atolls in Indian Ocean are the Maldives and Laccadives; in the Pacific Ocean - the Caroline, Marshall, Gilbert Islands in Micronesia, Tuamotu and others in Polynesia; a large number of atolls scattered throughout Melanesia. IN Atlantic Ocean there are several atolls in the Lesser Antilles group, in addition, the Bahamas include a number of atolls that are not typical. The largest atoll in terms of area (with a relatively small lagoon in the center) is Christmas Island in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The largest lagoon is apparently located on Kwajalein Atoll (Marshall Islands), although lagoons of almost the same size are found on some other atolls. See also CORAL REEFS.
What is an atoll? The atoll is a ringed coral reef that partially or completely surrounds the lagoon. In other words, an atoll is a narrow stretch of land that borders and is surrounded by water at the same time. This is what distinguishes an atoll from an ordinary island. While an island is just a piece of land surrounded by water, an atoll contains a body of water within it.
Another curious detail about atolls is the fact that they are not actually made of soil, but of coral. The corals have to grow fast enough to replace parts of the atoll that are destroyed by erosion in order for the atoll to remain intact. Since corals thrive only in warm waters, atolls can only be found in the tropics and subtropics. Hence, the atolls are unique coral land masses consisting of a crystal clear lagoon and spectacular colorful reefs teeming with amazing marine life. Sounds exciting, doesn't it?!
Let's go on an amazing journey through the tropics. From the stunning Aitutaki Atoll in the Cook Islands to the extraterrestrial beauty of atolls in the Maldives, here are 25 of the world's most astounding atolls.
25. Takapoto, French polynesia
Takapoto, measuring 20 kilometers by 7 kilometers, is an atoll located in the Tuamoto archipelago in French Polynesia. The atoll, discovered by the Dutch navigator Jacob Le Maire in 1616, is now home to about 380 people.
24. Aitutaki, Cook Islands
Approximately 2,000 people live on Aitutaki Atoll. It is the second most visited island in the Cook Islands. The atoll, which the authorities have saved from mass tourism, is famous for its turquoise waters of the central lagoon and picturesque beaches lined with palm trees.
23. Ulithi, Caroline Islands
Ulithi, part of the Federated States of Micronesia, is an atoll of 40 islets surrounding one of the largest lagoons in the world. The atoll was the main base for the US Navy during the Great Patriotic War. Several sunken ships are still at the bottom of this lagoon.
22. Tubbataha Reef, Philippines
Tubbataha Reef, located in the middle of the Sulu Sea (Sulu Sea), is a marine and bird sanctuary, consisting of two large atolls - North and South Atoll. This protected area boasts amazing biodiversity and contains 75 percent known to science coral species and 40 percent of reef fish species.
21. Tarawa, Kiribati
Tarawa is an atoll and the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, located in the central Pacific Ocean. The atoll, which is home to almost 60,000 people, boasts a wide reef teeming with fish and a large lagoon spanning over 500 square kilometers.
20. Tikehau, French Polynesia
Tikehau, located 340 kilometers northeast of Tahiti on the Tuamotu Islands, is an oval-shaped atoll and tourist destination famous for pink sandy beaches lined with coconut palms and stunning marine life and flora.
19. Maafushi, Maldives
Maafushi, which is part of the Kaafu Atoll, is one of the inhabited islands in the Maldives. The atoll was badly damaged by the 2004 tsunami but quickly recovered. Nowadays, Maafushi boasts a thriving local economy based on fishing and tourism.
18. St. Francois Atoll, Seychelles
Saint Francois Atoll, consisting of the two islands of Saint Francois and Bijoutier, is an uninhabited atoll in the western Indian Ocean. The atoll is home to numerous species of birds, including the Fairy Tern, Curlew, Turnstone, Tules and so on.
17. Rangiroa, French Polynesia
, one of the largest atolls in the world, consists of approximately 415 tiny islets and shoals, with a total area of about 170 square kilometers. In the center of the atoll, there is a large lagoon where black pearl oysters are bred.
16. Palmyra Atoll, North Pacific Equatorial Region
Palmyra Atoll, located between Hawaii and American Samoa, is an unoccupied atoll consisting of an extensive reef, lagoons and 50 islets. The atoll is officially administered by the United States and is covered with coconut, scaevola, and pisonia trees.
15. Nukuoro (Nukuoro), Federated States micronesia
Surrounding a lagoon 6 kilometers in diameter, Nukuoro is a remote atoll with a population of nearly 400 people. There is no tourism on the island, except for occasional visits by passing sailing yachts.
14. Ontog Java Atoll, Solomon Islands
Ontong Java Atoll is sometimes also called Lord Howe Atoll. It is a large shoe-shaped atoll, consisting of more than 120 low-lying islets. There are two large villages on the atoll - Luaniua (Luaniua) and Pelau (Pelau) - where most of the population of the atoll lives.
13. Nukumanu, Papua New Guinea
Nukumanu is a medium-sized atoll that is part of papua new guinea and located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, 4 degrees south of the equator. The atoll consists of 20 sandy islands surrounding a large lagoon.
12. Lihou Reef, Coral Sea Islands Territory
Lihou Reef, located in the Coral Sea, northeast of Queensland, Australia, is the second largest atoll in the world in terms of total area. Surrounding a 2,500 square kilometer lagoon, the atoll is an important nesting site for many bird species.
11. Cayo Bolivar, Colombia
Cayo Bolivar, located 25 kilometers from San Andrés, a Colombian coral island in the Caribbean, is an uninhabited atoll consisting of two islands - East and West Cay. Its diversity of marine life and beautiful beaches made it popular place for tourist excursions.
10 Aldabra, Seychelles
Aldabra, uninhabited and extremely isolated, is a large atoll virtually untouched by man. Known as one of the "crown jewels" of the Indian Ocean, it has a distinct island fauna, including the largest population of giant tortoises in the world.
9. Ari Atoll, Maldives
Ari Atoll is a natural atoll located in the Maldives. This is one of the largest atolls in the world and is located in the western part of the archipelago. More than 20 islands are scattered here, most of which were developed for tourist resorts, and each of them is autonomous and has places for living and recreation.
8. Bangaram Atoll, India
Bangaram Atoll, located in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, India, is a popular tourist destination offering numerous recreational activities including scuba diving or snorkeling and deep sea fishing. It features white sandy beaches, a tranquil lagoon and stunning coral reefs.
7. Chagos Islands, British Territory in the Indian Ocean
The Chagos Islands are a group of seven consisting of more than 60 individual tropical islands in the Indian Ocean. These reefs, notable for their amazing biodiversity, are home to at least 371 coral species, 784 fish species and 2 turtle species.
6. Pearl and Hermes Atoll, Hawaii
Pearl and Hermes Atoll, which is part of the Northwest Islands Hawaiian archipelago, is a small Hawaiian atoll named after two English whaling ships that were wrecked on this atoll in 1822. Once the center of the pearl trade, the atoll is now a bird sanctuary.
5. Osprey Reef, Coral Sea Islands Territory
Osprey Reef, part of the northwestern group of islands in the Coral Sea, is an oval-shaped submerged atoll. The depth of the waters surrounding this atoll is 2 kilometers and the slopes of its reef are home to a variety of marine life, including the rare dwarf nautilus pompilius.
4. Diego Garcia Atoll, British Indian Ocean Territory
Diego Garcia Atoll, located in the central Indian Ocean just 7 degrees south of the equator, was settled by the French in the 1790s and was later ceded to the British crown. It has the largest continuous landmass of any atoll in the world.
3. Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands
Kwajalein, which is part of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is one of the largest atolls in the world, judging by the area body of water which it surrounds. It consists of 97 islands and islets, and its land area is 16 square kilometers. It surrounds a giant lagoon with an area of 2174 square kilometers.
2. Kure Atoll, Hawaii
Kure Atoll, politically part of Hawaii, is the most northern atoll in the world. This atoll is sometimes also referred to as Ocean Island. It is home to hundreds of thousands of seabirds and numerous marine animals, including the monk seal.
1. Ducie Island, Pitcairn Islands
Ducie Island, located in the South Pacific Ocean, is a small uninhabited atoll on the Pitcairn Islands. Despite the sparse vegetation, the atoll is home to a range of bird species. More than 90 percent of the world population of Murphy's Typhoon nests on Ducie.
Atoll
ato ll, atoll, husband. (Malay). Annular coral island.
Naval Dictionary
Atoll
a coral island in the form of a solid or broken ring, rising several meters above sea level and surrounding a shallow (60-150 m) lagoon. Distributed in the tropical regions of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, and only in those places where warm currents do not pass.
Geomorphological dictionary-reference book
Atoll
(from the Maldives. Atoll) - an annular coral reef, morphologically representing a narrow ridge with a closed (or semi-closed) lagoon inside. A.'s sizes are various. Some of them are up to 100 km across (A. Menshikov in the Pacific Ocean), but more common are A. with a diameter of several kilometers to several tens of kilometers. There are A. uplifted (Nauru Island) and submerged (Robbie Bank) due to tectonic movements of their bases. Most A. are concentrated in the Indo-Pacific tropical zone, but they are also known in the Atlantic, for example, in the Caribbean Sea, and off the coast of Brazil.
Lexicon of a tourist
Atoll
(from the Maldives) coral island or island group, having the form of a continuous or discontinuous ring surrounding the lagoon. The individual islands that form an atoll are called motu.
encyclopedic Dictionary
Atoll
a coral structure, in the form of a solid or broken ring, surrounding a shallow lagoon. The base of an atoll is usually the summit. underwater volcano. Distributed in the tropical latitudes of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Ozhegov's dictionary
AT ABOUT LL, A, m. Ring-shaped coral island.
Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Vladimir Dal
atoll
m. coral island with an open ring; a ringed, lagoonal ridge, an island gradually carved out by the smallest skull-skinned animals, with a lake or a lagoon in the middle (it is permissible to transform a lagoon into a Russian lagoon).
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov
atoll
atoll, m. (Malay). Ring-shaped coral island.
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I. Ozhegov, N.Yu. Shvedova.
atoll
A, m. Ring-shaped coral island.
adj. atoll, th, th.
New explanatory and derivational dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
atoll
m. Coral island, shaped like a ring (sometimes torn).
Encyclopedic Dictionary, 1998
atoll
a coral structure, in the form of a solid or broken ring, surrounding a shallow lagoon. The base of an atoll is usually the summit of an underwater volcano. Distributed in the tropical latitudes of the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Atoll
(from the Maldivian atolu), a coral island in the form of a solid or broken ring, surrounding a lagoon of shallow depth (up to 100 m). It is formed mainly by calcareous structures of colonial corals. A. are usually small, but sometimes reach 50 km or more in diameter. Found in the open sea in tropical latitudes; especially often in the central part of the Pacific Ocean, sometimes in entire archipelagos. The origin of A., according to the hypothesis of C. Darwin, is explained by the slow sinking of the island, originally surrounded barrier reef, which is gradually built up by corals.
Wikipedia
Atoll
Atoll- a coral island that looks like a solid or broken ringsurrounding the lagoon. More precisely, the atoll is an elevation on the ocean floor, crowned with a coral superstructure that forms a reef with a group of islands separated by straits. These straits connect the ocean with the lagoon. If there are no straits, then the land forms a continuous ring, in which case the water in the lagoon may be less salty than in the ocean. An elevation at the bottom of the ocean is usually shaped like a cone formed by an extinct volcano.
Atoll (Scotland)
Blair in Atholl In 1264, Atholl passed into the possession of the Strathbogie family, whose representatives supported the British during the wars of Scottish independence, which led to the confiscation of the county of Atholl by King Robert the Bruce in 1320. Then the county changed hands several times, at one time it was part of the possessions Queen Mary of Geldern, and as a result was assigned to the Stuart family. The most significant representatives of the Earls of Atholl were: Walter Stewart, organizer of the assassination of King James I, John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl, leader of the revolts against James III, and John Stewart, 4th Earl of Atholl, one of the leaders of the conservative party of the barons in the middle of the XVI century. Since 1629, the title of Earl (and since 1703 Duke) of Atholl has belonged to the noble Murray family.
Atoll (disambiguation)
Atoll
- An atoll is a coral island that looks like a solid or broken ring that surrounds a lagoon.
- Atoll - historical area in the center of Scotland, in the mountains north of Perthshire.
Examples of the use of the word atoll in the literature.
Holding the flowers in his outstretched hand, so as not to fall into a diabetic coma from the cloying smell, he bypasses the dance floor along the equator, surrounded by atoll round tables with white tablecloths, candles and crystal ashtrays.
The first of these points in the plan led to the battle of the Coral Sea, the second to the battle of atoll Midway and the third - to a protracted and fierce struggle for Guadalcanal, big Island near Tulagi.
The Japanese expected that before the end of the landing in the area atoll There will be no American ships at Midway, because as soon as there are reports of air strikes on the Aleutian Islands, the US Pacific Fleet will rush north.
American aircraft from atoll Midway was being bombed by Japanese carriers, and Nagumo found it necessary to suppress the island's airfields.
In just one battle atoll Midway, they lost four heavy aircraft carriers, about 330 aircraft and a heavy cruiser, while the Americans lost only one aircraft carrier and about 150 aircraft.
Thus, it can be said with good reason that the battle at atoll Midway was the turning point that sealed Japan's eventual defeat.
Although the outcome of the battle atoll Midway seriously interfered with the advance of the Japanese in the southeastern Pacific, they still were not completely stopped.
After the battle at atoll Midway in early June, the position of the Allies was significantly strengthened, since many Australian units had returned to their homeland by this time and new divisions were being formed, and the United States stationed two divisions and eight air groups in Australia.
When planning operations on this island, General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz sought to use the victory at atoll Midway, in order to quickly move from defense to counteroffensive in the Pacific.
Most they could be sent directly to the new airfields in Assam and Bengal, since after the naval battles in the Coral Sea and at atoll Midway, the possibility of a Japanese invasion of India by sea became unlikely.
In the battle for atoll Midway and the island of Guadalcanal in the group of the Solomon Islands, which are the approaches to Australia, Japan suffered a major defeatPrim.
The possibility of effective action on the part of Japan was excluded due to the loss of four heavy aircraft carriers at atoll Midway, two battleships and many small ships and vessels off the island of Guadalcanal, and also because of the heavy losses of aviation in these important battles.
Honolulu, Oahu and some other islands and atolls over which coconut palms sway.
During the two months of my stay on atoll Oolong I never saw him sober.
And I am again mentally transported to a small fishing town, the port of Yaizu, Shizuoka Prefecture, where I visited with thousands of Japanese at a meeting with victims of the American hydrogen bomb explosion on atoll Bikini.
The content of the article
ATOLL, ring-shaped coral reef surrounding the water area. Coral reefs are common in tropical and subtropical latitudes, most widely in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. The word "atoll" comes from the name used by the peoples of Oceania for reefs that form a chain of small islands rising 46 m above the surface of the water. Sometimes reefs are flooded, and between their individual parts there are deep straits. The lake-like waters within the atolls are called lagoons. Usually their depth is 1830 m, but sometimes it reaches 90 m.
Structure.
The main material from which coral reefs are built is limestone, formed as a result of the accumulation of skeletons of marine animals and plants containing calcium carbonate, mainly corals and coralline algae. Islets scattered along reefs usually consist of limestone fragments and crumbs - products of wave activity. Often, small dunes are formed from this material under the influence of wind. The outer coast of most of the atoll islands is a rather narrow strip of fringing reefs, often with an even border of massive pink calcareous algae and steep, narrow beaches composed of limestone fragments. Behind the coastal ridge of the beach, coarse-grained material is replaced by crushed stone, which is further replaced by gravel as it is crushed. In the center of the islet there is often a depression filled with saline soil stained with humus. The interior of the island is usually composed of coarse-grained coral sand or fine gravel, while the central parts of the beach are composed of fine calcareous sand. If the atoll is completely raised above sea level, then the limestones composing it usually erode and form a rough surface “macatea”. The groundwater level is very close there, and small wells are often dug near the center of the islands. If the island is large or there is a lot of rainfall, then the groundwater is almost fresh, but if it is small or located in an area with little rainfall, then the groundwater is brackish or saline.
Flora.
The vegetation cover is the most remarkable characteristic of the surface of the atolls. It is sparse and most often consists of several species of widespread herbaceous plants and tree species that live in the coastal strip. In the distribution of vegetation, a certain zonality is observed in the direction from the outer edge of the atoll to the inner one. It can be described in general terms for the entire Indo-Pacific region, where atolls are especially numerous and their flora is of the same type. The outer zone is represented by shrubs, among which scaevola shrubs predominate ( Scaevola frutescens). This is followed by forests, mainly from such halophytes as silver messerschmidia ( Messerschmidia argenta) and pandanus roofing ( Pandanus tectorius). Even farther from the coast, there are fewer halophytes, and cordia appear ( Cordia), pisonia large ( Pisonia grandis), ochrosia ( Ochrosia) and other types. In the center, in more mesophytic conditions, the primary vegetation probably consisted of trees such as splendid coetard ( Guetta speciosa), hibiscus lime-shaped ( Hibiscus tiliacens), ficuses, pisonias, pandanuses, Asian barringtonia ( Barringtonia asiatica), terminals ( Terminalia), etc. On most of the islands, these forests were subsequently replaced by plantations of coconut palms and breadfruit. The inner zone of the beaches is characterized by a narrow strip of trees such as hernandia, calophyllum, pandanus, thespesia, cordia. On the sandy spits between the islets, the seaside suriana is usually found ( Suriana maritima) and scaevola, and on the rock outcrops sourish pemphis ( Pemphis acidula). In places, in the inner parts of the islets, waterlogged depressions are found, and in some of them they are confined to hard rocks. In such conditions, some tree species typical of mangrove swamps are found. Other islets are swampy and treeless, dominated by grasses and sedges. On inhabited islands, soil is taken out of these depressions and filled with humus, and then used to grow taro, sugar cane and other plants. Due to the salinity of the soil, few (except those listed above) cultivated plants can grow on low coral islands. Taro, breadfruit and coconuts are the main food of the population, in addition, coconuts are a source of drinking water.
Other natural resources.
The vast majority of the atolls are inhabited, and there, crop production depends on the potential fertility of nutrient-poor saline soils. The main crop is coconuts. Along with the above plants, the basis of the diet of the population is fish and shellfish, which abound in lagoons, reefs and adjacent open water areas. Other trade items are guano, pearls, shells for making buttons and dried holothurians.
The most fertile are the large atolls that rise above sea level, especially if they are confined to very humid areas. They feature much more lush vegetation, richer flora, and a much more diverse array of crops. Apparently, all this is associated with lower soil salinity. On the uplifted atolls, there are often large deposits of phosphorites (probably formed from ancient deposits of guano). Such atolls include the islands of Makatea, Nauru, Ocean, Angaur. The guano deposits on many of the atoll islands have been formed by sea birds such as gannets, frigatebirds, terns and tropical birds that breed here. In addition to the listed birds and land crabs, including the palm thief, the terrestrial fauna is poor: rats dominate, and fruit bats (fruit-eating bats) are numerous in the western Pacific Ocean. The waters abound with turtles, spiny lobsters, giant bivalves, and many kinds of fish. The rich fauna of the reefs includes many species of invertebrates.
famous atolls.
The largest groups of atolls in the Indian Ocean are the Maldives and Laccadives; in the Pacific Ocean Caroline, Marshall, Gilbert Islands in Micronesia, Tuamotu and others in Polynesia; a large number of atolls are scattered throughout Melanesia. In the Atlantic Ocean there are several atolls in the Lesser Antilles group, in addition, the Bahamas include a number of atolls. The largest atoll in terms of area (with a relatively small lagoon in the center) is Christmas Island in the equatorial Pacific Ocean. The largest lagoon is apparently located on Kwajalein Atoll (Marshall Islands), although lagoons of almost the same size are found on some other atolls. see also CORAL REEFS.
