A small island in the Marquesas, Ua Pou was first reported in April 1791 by the American Ingraham, the commander of the Hope, before being claimed in the name of France by Etienne Marchand two months later. It is dominated by 12 peaks of basalt crowned with clouds at more than 3280 ft (1000m) of altitude. All the streets of Hakahau, the capital of the island, converge on its large black sand beach.