Maewo

"Aurora Island" redirects here. It is not to be confused with the phantom Aurora Islands.
Maewo
Island

Maewo

Location within Vanuatu
Coordinates: 15°10′S 168°10′E / 15.167°S 168.167°E / -15.167; 168.167Coordinates: 15°10′S 168°10′E / 15.167°S 168.167°E / -15.167; 168.167
Country  Vanuatu
Province Penama Province
Area
 • Total 269 km2 (104 sq mi)
Elevation 795 m (2,608 ft)
Population (2009)
 • Total 3,569
 • Density 13/km2 (34/sq mi)
Time zone VUT (UTC+11)

Maewo (local pronunciation: [ŋʷaewo]; formerly Aurora Island) is an island in Vanuatu in Penama province, 105 km to the east of Espiritu Santo.

It is 47 km long, and 6 km wide, with an area of 269 km². Its highest point is 795 m above sea level. In 2009 the island had a population of almost 3,600.[1]

History

First recorded sighting of Maewo Island by Europeans was by the Spanish expedition of Pedro Fernández de Quirós at the end of April of 1606.[2] They charted it as Aurora (The light of dawn in Spanish).

Geography

Maewo is the island with the highest rainfall in Vanuatu, greater than 2500 mm per year. The island is covered in green, lush vegetation. The heavy rainfall provides abundant fresh water and waterfalls. There are also hot springs in the centre of Maewo. The largest of these waterfalls is a series of cascades located near Maewo-Naone Airport on the north end of the island near the village of Naone. This series of cascades is commonly referred to as Big Wota.

References

  1. ↑ 2009 Census Summary release final - Government of Vanuatu
  2. ↑ Brand, Donald D. The Pacific Basin: A History of its Geographical Explorations The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p.133.



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