Nayau

NASA astronaut image of Nayau island, Lau Archipelago, Fiji
Nayau
Island
Nayau is located in Fiji
Nayau
Nayau
Location in Fiji
Coordinates: 17°59′S 179°3′W / 17.983°S 179.050°W / -17.983; -179.050
CountryFiji
Island groupNorthern Lau Islands

Nayau is an island in Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. It was the ancestral island of the Vuanirewa Clan, who were later exiled to the nearby island of Lakeba.[citation needed]

There are three villages located on the island: Salia, Narociva and Liku.[1]

History

Charles Wilkes visited the island in 1840.[1] In 1979 Hurricane Meli struck the island, causing severe damage to two villages and leading to the deaths of several people.[1]

As of 2009 the island has around 400 persons.[1]

Economy

The main export of the island is copra, derived from coconut trees.[1]

Geography

The island is ringed by shallow reefs. Its coastal shores are thought to have been formed by storm-wave depositions.[1]

It is located at 17°58'39"S 179°3'13"W, northwest of Lakeba.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Jones, S. (2009). Food and Gender in Fiji: Ethnoarchaeological Explorations. G - Reference,Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. Lexington Books. p. 23. ISBN 978-0-7391-3480-1. Retrieved 2024-02-23.