Deboyne Islands

Deboyne Islands
Deboyne Islands is located in Papua New Guinea
Deboyne Islands
Deboyne Islands
Geography
LocationOceania
Coordinates10°43′S 152°22′E / 10.717°S 152.367°E / -10.717; 152.367[1]
ArchipelagoLouisiade Archipelago
Adjacent toSolomon Sea
Total islands8
Major islands
Area39.14 km2 (15.11 sq mi)
Highest elevation213 m (699 ft)
Highest pointMount Deboyne
Administration
Province Milne Bay
DistrictSamarai-Murua District
LLG[2]Louisiade Rural Local Level Government Area
Island GroupDeboyne Islands
Largest settlementBwaganati (pop. 500)
Demographics
Population2700 (2014)
Pop. density69/km2 (179/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsPapauans, Austronesians, Melanesians.
Additional information
Time zone
ISO codePG-MBA
Official websitewww.ncdc.gov.pg

The Deboyne Islands are an atoll, composed of a group of reefs and islands in the north of the Louisiade Archipelago, Papua New Guinea.

Geography

They are located 13 km (8 mi) from Misima and 5 km (3 mi) from the Torlesse Islands. Islands in the Deboyne Islands include Panaeati (the northernmost), Panapompom, Nivani, Pana Uya Wana, Rara, Losai, Nibub and Passage Island.

History

The Deboyne Islands were discovered in 1793 by Antoine Bruni d'Entrecasteaux. He named the islands after Pierre Étienne Bourgeois de Boynes, who was the Marine and Colonial Minister of France at that time. During World War II, the islands were used as a seaplane outpost by the Imperial Japanese Navy, from 5–12 May 1942.[3]

Population

The settlements in the main island Panaeati are all located on the south coast of the island, facing the lagoon. the language spoken on the islands is Misima-Paneati language.

Economy

Nivani, the small island south of Panapompom, has a small vocational school and slipway. Yachts are regular visitors to the Louisiade Archipelago. Nivani is a favorite anchorage for these yachts, with averages of about 15 yachts a year. A small ecotourist resort was recently built at Nivani that would respect the environment, yet provide business opportunities for the population of Panapompom community. The resort is a success especially with yachtsman, divers and film crews.

See also

References

  1. ^ Prostar Sailing Directions 2004 New Guinea Enroute, p. 168
  2. ^ "LLG map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  3. ^ IJN TATSUTA: Tabular Record of Movement

Bibliography

  • Klar, John W. (1989). "Question 56/87". Warship International. XXVI (1): 89–90. ISSN 0043-0374.


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