Landsat image of Saibai |
|
|
Saibai Island (Australia)
|
|
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Torres Strait |
| Archipelago | Torres Strait Islands |
| Major islands | Saibai, Kauamag |
| Area | 107.9 km2 (41.66 sq mi) |
| Length | 21.8 km (13.55 mi) |
| Width | 5.2 km (3.23 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 1.7 m (5.6 ft) |
| Highest point | unnamed |
| Country | |
|
Australia
|
|
| State | Queensland |
| Shire | Shire of Torres |
| Island Region | Top Western |
| Largest city | Saibai (pop. 171) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 337 (as of 2006) |
| Density | 3.1 /km2 (8 /sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Torres Strait Islanders |
Saibai Island () is one of the Torres Strait Islands in Australia, between the Australian mainland and the island of New Guinea. Saibai is a fairly large low-lying island only 4 km from the Papua New Guinea mainland. Close north is uninhabited Kauamag Island, separated from Saibai by a channel that is seven kilometres long, between 180 and 650 metres wide, and nearly blocked at its east end.
The main village of Saibai, in the northwest, has a population of 171. The second village, Churum [Surum White Sand], in the southwest, numbers 128.[1]
The language spoken on Saibai is Kalaw Kawaw Ya (KKY). Saibai Islanders have always traded and had good relations with neighbouring Papuans.
The Saibai Islanders converted to Christianity in 1871 with the arrival of the London Missionary Society.
After Saibai Island was devastated by abnormally high tides wave after WW2, a group of Saibai Islanders, led by Bamaga Ginau, accepted Government assistance to resettle on Cape York. Once a site was chosen inlnd of Red Island, the new town was named Bamaga. Later some moved to a new settlement at Red Island Point on the coast and named it Seisia.[2]
The Island is flat, predominantly a mangrove island, with the highest point being 1.7 m asl, and prone to flooding during the wet season, which coincides with king tides. A bitumen airstrip allows year-round access. The Island is about 20 km by 15 km, but only a small proportion is inhabited. The population is transient, but is recorded between 350 & 400 people. The population is 70% indigenous, Torres Strait Islander people, with 25% Papuan and 5% White Australian.
Most of the island is held under native title, apart from some government infrastructure and historic buildings. [3]