Anatom

Anatom (more commonly spelled Aneityum, and sometimes also Kéamu) is the southernmost island of Vanuatu. It is in the province of Tafea. The largest village is Anelghowhat (correctly, Anelcauhat), on the south side. The island is 159.2 km² in size. It rises to an elevation of 852 meters in Mount Inrerow Atamein.

There is an airport, not on the main island itself, but on the tiny island to its south, Inyeug (correctly, Iñec), across the main village, which has twice-weekly flights from Port Vila and Tanna.

Anatom is the southernmost island of Vanuatu (not counting Matthew and Hunter Islands, which are disputed with New Caledonia, but considered by the people of Anatom Island part of their custom ownership). Its southeastern cape Nétchan Néganneaing is the southernmost point of land in Vanuatu, more southerly than the southern satellite islet Inyeug. The latter, however, is surrounded by Intao Reef, that extends even further south, albeit submerged, thus being the southernmost feature of Vanuatu.

Anatom has a current estimated population of 1250 (Officially? 550). It is believed to have had a population of possibly as larger than 12,000 prior to the arrival of the Europeans in 1793. Introduced diseases and blackbirding are believed to have been the major factors in the depopulation. [down to less than 200 in 1930]. The island is surrounded by coral reefs and beaches. The main language of Anatom is called Aneityum or Anejom̃. It is considered to constitute its own branch of the South Vanuatu languages.

External links