Hiw Island

Hiu (or more accurately Hiw [ hiw ] ) is the northernmost island of the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu. It is about 60 km ² at the same time one of the largest in the Torres Islands, which belong to the geopolitical Vanuatu Torba Province.

Geography

The island extends from north to south about 13.5 kilometers and is up to 4.5 km wide. The highest point is Mount Wonvara with 366 m.

Less than two kilometers off the southern tip ( Pointe Gagévétawa ) is the island Metoma, separated by the Mawatan passage ( Passe Cosmao ). Vewoag Point, the northern tip of Hiu, is the northernmost mainland point of Vanuatu. 1.6 km north of Hiu extends the submarine reef Ngwei Gakw (formerly Recif Giraudeau ), over the breaking waves.

Hiu is densely forested inland. Be found on the east coast three villages: Yogwye [ jɔɰwjə ], Yaqane [ jak anə ʷ ], and the main town Yögevigemëne [ ˌ ˌ jɵɣə βiɣəmenə ]. To the east of the main town, the approximately 50 -acre peninsula Nēnye ( Nenia ) connects across the narrow isthmus Tinemë Vönyö. The peninsula is performed in some sources erroneously as Ile Lonagavanoua.

Population

The current population (as of the census 2009) amounts to 269, 200 in 1999. At the 1979 census, a population of 84 was determined. In 1971, only 48 counted.

The inhabitants speak Hiw, an endangered Oceanic language.