Louisiade Archipelago

Archipelago of Papua New Guinea

"Louisiade" redirects here. Not to be confused with the Os Lusíadas poem.

Louisiade Archipelago

The Louisiade Archipelago is part of Milne Bay Province (in dark red)

Geography
Coordinates| 11°12′S 153°00′E﻿ / ﻿11.200°S 153.000°E﻿ / -11.200; 153.000
Total islands| 300+
Area| 1,871.1 km2 (722.4 sq mi)
Administration

Papua New Guinea

Province| Milne Bay Province
Largest settlement| Bwagaoia on Misima Island (pop. 2680)
Demographics
Population| 47000 (2014)
Moving westward from eastern end of the chain are the islands of Rossel and Vanatinai (Tagula). Misima Island, which harbors the largest village in the region, is obscured by a patch of clouds northeast of image center

The Louisiade Archipelago is a string of ten larger volcanic islands frequently fringed by coral reefs, and 90 smaller coral islands in Papua New Guinea.

It is located 200 km southeast of New Guinea, stretching over more than 160 kilometres (99 mi) and spread over an ocean area of 26,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi) between the Solomon Sea to the north and the Coral Sea to the south. The aggregate land area of the islands is about 1,871 square kilometres (722 sq mi), with Vanatinai (Tagula) being the largest.

Rogeia, Samarai and Sariba lie closest to New Guinea, while Misima, Vanatinai, and Rossel islands lie further east.

## History

[edit]

The islands were discovered by a Spanish expedition led by Luis Váez de Torres in 1606, that was part of the Fernandez de Quiros fleet which had sailed from South America in search of Australia. The Torres expedition visited various islands including Basilaki Island, which he named San Buenaventura in July 1606. It is possible that Malay and Chinese sailors also visited the islands earlier. More than a century later, in 1768, Louis Antoine de Bougainville visited the islands and named them for Louis XV, the king of France. Visits were also paid by Admiral Bruni d'Entrecasteaux in 1793 and Captain Owen Stanley in 1849.[citation needed]

The 1942 Battle of Coral Sea was fought nearby, after Japanese occupation in the same year. The Deboyne Islands were the site of the 1942 Raids on Deboyne.

## Rain forests

[edit]

The islands have a moist tropical climate, and are largely covered with tropical moist broadleaf forests. The Louisiade Archipelago rain forests form a distinct ecoregion, and are home to a number of endemic species, including several endemic trees (in genera Pandanus, Diospyros, and Hopea), as well as five endemic frog species, two endemic lizard species, and five endemic bird species.[citation needed]

## Government

[edit]

The archipelago is divided into the Local Level Government (LLG) areas Bwanabwana Rural (western part, with Basilaki), Louisiade Rural (central part, with Misima), and Yaleyamba (eastern part, with Rossel and Vanatinai islands). The LLG areas are part of Samarai-Murua District of Milne Bay. The seat of the Louisiade Rural LLG is Bwagaoia on Misima Island, the population center of the archipelago.[1] The seat of the Yaleyamba is changed every couple of years between Rambuso and Jingo (Rossell). The seat of the Bwanabwana was Samarai from the Louisiade archipelago, but was recently transferred to the mainland of Papua New Guinea to the city of Alotau.[citation needed]

## Islands

[edit]

The Louisiade Archipelago consists of the following island groups and islands:[2]

Island  | Capital  | Other Cities  | Area  | Population

|
|
|
|

km2 | sq mi
Bentley Islands | Anagusa | Nare | 2.49  | 0.96 | 122
Anagusa | Anagusa |  | 1.42  | 0.55 | 112
Mudge | Nare |  | 1.07  | 0.41 | 10
Bonvouloir Islands |  |  | 5.54  | 2.14 | 0
East |  |  | 2.93  | 1.13 | 0
Hastings |  |  | 1.26  | 0.49 | 0
Strathord |  |  | 1.35  | 0.52 | 0
Calvados Chain | Pana Wina | Motorina, Bagaman, Hemenahei | 85.1  | 32.9 | 3276
Bagaman | Bagaman |  | 7.45  | 2.88 | 264
Bobo Eina |  |  | 2.43  | 0.94 | 0
Bonna Wan |  |  | 1.09  | 0.42 | 0
Gigila | Nogui |  | 1.42  | 0.55 | 121
Gilia |  |  | 0.36  | 0.14 | 0
Gulewa | Gulewa |  | 0.59  | 0.23 | 18
Hemenahei |  |  | 10.15  | 3.92 | 0
Kuwanak | Kuwanak |  | 3.66  | 1.41 | 170
Mabneian |  |  | 0.38  | 0.15 | 0
Motorina | Riman Bay | Tawara, Mabaraboraboa | 7.8  | 3.0 | 595
Nigaho | Nigaho |  | 0.1  | 0.039 | 226
North Leiga |  |  | 0.05  | 0.019 | 0
Other | Burnett | Ehiki, Panua Keikeisa | 1.78  | 0.69 | 0
Pana Krusima |  |  | 1.47  | 0.57 | 0
Pana Numara | Hoba Bay |  | 1.93  | 0.75 | 183
Pana Rora |  |  | 0.81  | 0.31 | 0
Pana Udu Udi |  |  | 0.69  | 0.27 | 0
Pana Varavara |  |  | 0.57  | 0.22 | 0
Pana Wina | Bomalou | Panambari, Boiama Point | 30.55  | 11.80 | 456
Panangaribu |  |  | 0.5  | 0.19 | 0
Panasia |  |  | 2.11  | 0.81 | 0
Panatanian |  |  | 0.79  | 0.31 | 0
Sabari | Hekampan | Tandeyai, Hebenahine, Maho | 4.04  | 1.56 | 708
Sloss |  |  | 0.36  | 0.14 | 0
South Leiga |  |  | 0.05  | 0.019 | 0
Taifaur |  |  | 0.4  | 0.15 | 0
Ululina | Ululina |  | 0.59  | 0.23 | 5
Utian | Utian |  | 1.54  | 0.59 | 514
Venariwa | Venariwa |  | 0.76  | 0.29 | 16
Yakimoan |  |  | 0.31  | 0.12 | 0
Yaruman |  |  | 0.37  | 0.14 | 0
Conflict Group | Panasesa | Irai, Lunn | 5.06  | 1.95 | 30
Auriroa |  |  | 0.76  | 0.29 | 0
Gabugabutau |  |  | 0.12  | 0.046 | 0
Ginara |  |  | 0.14  | 0.054 | 0
Irai | Irai |  | 1.08  | 0.42 | 20
Itamarina |  |  | 0.04  | 0.015 | 0
Lunn |  |  | 0.51  | 0.20 | 0
Moniara |  |  | 0.2  | 0.077 | 0
Other | Kolavia | Madiboiboi, Lutmatavi | 0.4  | 0.15 | 0
Panaboal |  |  | 0.52  | 0.20 | 0
Panarakuum |  |  | 0.51  | 0.20 | 0
Panasesa | Panasesa |  | 0.68  | 0.26 | 10
Quesal |  |  | 0.08  | 0.031 | 0
Tupit |  |  | 0.02  | 0.0077 | 0
Deboyne Islands | Bwaganati | Nulia | 41.9  | 16.2 | 2700
Losai |  |  | 0.01  | 0.0039 | 0
Nibub |  |  | 0.02  | 0.0077 | 0
Nivani | Nivani |  | 0.5  | 0.19 | 20
Pana Uya Wana |  |  | 0.36  | 0.14 | 0
Panaeati | Bwaganati | Maggiau, Palualual, Siakeu, Namati, Panakakamwa, Nulia Wharf, Lebwalebwal | 30.32  | 11.71 | 2080
Panapompom | Nulia | Galowawaisana, Panaewau | 7.72  | 2.98 | 600
Passage |  |  | 0.06  | 0.023 | 0
Rara |  |  | 0.14  | 0.054 | 0
Duchateau Islands |  |  | 2.58  | 1.00 | 0
Jomard Islands |  |  | 0.96  | 0.37 | 0
Kukuluba |  |  | 0.32  | 0.12 | 0
Montemont Islands |  |  | 0.12  | 0.046 | 0
Pana Bobai Ana |  |  | 0.75  | 0.29 | 0
Pana Rura Wara |  |  | 0.42  | 0.16 | 0
Dumoulin Islands |  |  | 0.66  | 0.25 | 0
Ana Karu Karua |  |  | 0.2  | 0.077 | 0
Baiiri |  |  | 0.34  | 0.13 | 0
Duperre Islands | Punawan |  | 0.82  | 0.32 | 10
Duperre |  |  | 0.15  | 0.058 | 0
Punawan | Punawan |  | 0.43  | 0.17 | 10
East Deboyne Islands |  |  | 1.02  | 0.39 | 0
Basses Group |  |  | 0.51  | 0.205 | 0
Bushy Islets |  |  | 0.10  | 0.0395 | 0
Mabui |  |  | 0.02  | 0.00777 | 0
Pana Sagusagu |  |  | 0.17  | 0.0662 | 0
Redlick Islets |  |  | 0.2  | 0.077 | 0
Engineer Islands | Skelton | Watts | 11.12  | 4.29 | 1200
Bright |  |  | 0.07  | 0.027 | 0
Butchart |  |  | 0.09  | 0.035 | 0
Button |  |  | 0.07  | 0.027 | 0
Deedes |  |  | 0.11  | 0.042 | 0
Flat |  |  | 0.03  | 0.012 | 0
Good |  |  | 0.32  | 0.12 | 0
Haszard |  |  | 0.72  | 0.28 | 0
Hummock | Tewatewa |  | 0.61  | 0.24 | 105
Messum |  |  | 0.06  | 0.023 | 0
Pender |  |  | 0.12  | 0.046 | 0
Powell |  |  | 0.15  | 0.058 | 0
Skelton | Naruaruari | Koialia, Waiaku, Digaigaia | 3.56  | 1.37 | 375
Slade | Samoa | Tubetube | 2.61  | 1.01 | 245
Watts | Gegadali | Taeaknabululu, Kwaraiwa | 2.56  | 0.99 | 475
Laseinie Islands | Dawson |  | 2  | 0.77 | 245
Dawson | Koyagaugau |  | 1.36  | 0.53 | 245
Hardman |  |  | 0.25  | 0.097 | 0
Kagawan |  |  | 0.05  | 0.019 | 0
Keaawan |  |  | 0.3  | 0.12 | 0
Misima Islands | Bwagaoia |  | 215  | 83 | 19330
Gigira |  |  | 0.03  | 0.012 | 0
Managun |  |  | 0.26  | 0.10 | 0
Misima | Bwagaoia | Baimatana, Hinauta, Kaubwaga, Boiou, Siagara, Kalotawa, Gulewa, Mwana, Liak, Panataval, Bagilina, Manihuna, Ewena, Ebora, Bwagabwaga, Alhoga, Eaus, Gaibobo, Narian | 214.5  | 82.8 | 19330
Daloloia Group |  |  | 0.13  | 0.050 | 0
Pana Tinani Islands | Bwailahina | Kabagi-bagi | 99.92  | 38.58 | 1764
Daddahai | Dadahai |  | 0.25  | 0.0978 | 34
Hevaisi |  |  | 0.23  | 0.0894 | 1
Nimoa | Soluwo | Boiminusi, Woos, Galanga Beach | 3.55  | 1.376 | 395
Osasai |  |  | 0.13  | 0.0503 | 0
Pana Tinani | Bwailahina | Hobuk, Hauagili, Hessessai Bay, Buvara Bay, Bounce Point, Imadi Bay, Gawn Point, Hati Lawi Bay, Heihuti Bay, Bonawi Point | 78  | 30 | 527
Sibumbum |  |  | 0.01  | 0.0039 | 0
Wanim | Bunbun |  | 1.66  | 0.64 | 400
Yeina | Kabagi-bagi | Araeda, Buwo, Jolandan | 16  | 6.2 | 407
Renard Islands | Kimuta |  | 4.3  | 1.7 | 617
Baiwa |  |  | 0.17  | 0.066 | 0
Kimuta | Awa | Atuatua | 2.86  | 1.10 | 617
Manuga Reef |  |  | 0.02  | 0.0077 | 0
Niva Beno |  |  | 0.49  | 0.19 | 0
Oreia |  |  | 0.47  | 0.18 | 0
Rossel Islands | Rossel |  | 293.8  | 113.4 | 5100
Adele Islet |  |  | 0.18  | 0.069 | 0
Diama |  |  | 0.06  | 0.023 | 1
Other | Heron |  | 0.02  | 0.0077 | 7
Pocklington Reef |  |  | 0.01  | 0.0039 | 0
Rossel | Jinjo | Damunu, Yonga Bay, Mbuwo, Morpa, Wulunga Bay, Pum, Pwepwo, Piniga, Abeleti, Vyukwa, N’Jaru, Wale, Saman, Pambwa | 292.5  | 112.9 | 5000
Wule | Wule |  | 1.03  | 0.40 | 92
Samarai Islands | Samarai | Basilaki | 262.1  | 101.2 | 8200
Arch Islands | Nasa Rua Rua |  | 0.5  | 0.19 | 0
Doini | Doini |  | 4.07  | 1.57 | 30
Tuyam |  |  | 0.16  | 0.062 | 0
Gonubalabala | Ranger station |  | 0.26  | 0.10 | 0
Logea | Kasabanalua | Kumikuku, Dabali, Pota | 9.02  | 3.48 | 1004
Deka Deka |  |  | 0.04  | 0.015 | 0
Bonarua Hili Hili |  |  | 0.05  | 0.019 | 0
Kwato | Kwato | Isuhina | 0.35  | 0.14 | 66
Samarai | Samarai |  | 0.29  | 0.11 | 460
Ebuma | Evennett Mansion |  | 0.02  | 0.00772 | 1
Gesila |  |  | 0.17  | 0.066 | 19
Dagadaga |  |  | 0.07  | 0.027 | 1
Kwai Ama |  |  | 0.03  | 0.012 | 0
Beika |  |  | 0.02  | 0.0077 | 0
Galahi | Galahi |  | 0.92  | 0.36 | 20
Lesimano |  |  | 0.21  | 0.081 | 0
Igwali | Igwali | Naba Riaria, Ga-Uri | 1.47  | 0.57 | 10
Kui | Kui |  | 0.19  | 0.073 | 5
Ito |  |  | 3.06  | 1.18 | 10
Sariba | Sidudu | Sauasauaga, Magehau, Sebuluna | 23.21  | 8.96 | 1880
Sideia | Sideia | Oba, Gotai, Gadogadowa, Sekuku, Dulauna, Tegerauna | 101.3  | 39.1 | 1890
Populai | Margaret Ville |  | 1.71  | 0.66 | 15
Dinana |  |  | 0.9  | 0.35 | 0
Buiari | Weitoa |  | 3.12  | 1.20 | 500
Basilaki | Yokowa | Habani | 106  | 41 | 1883
Kitai Bai |  |  | 0.11  | 0.042 | 0
Kitai Katoa | Maragum |  | 0.55  | 0.21 | 17
Kitai Katu |  |  | 0.72  | 0.28 | 10
Kitai Lilivea |  |  | 3  | 1.2 | 190
Kitai Bona Bona | Kibou |  | 0.42  | 0.16 | 10
Castori Islets | Baia Baia Karona |  | 0.18  | 0.069 | 0
Gado-Gadoa |  |  | 0.15  | 0.058 | 1
Wasima |  |  | 0.05  | 0.019 | 0
Other |  | Sripkunui Island, Nasariri Island, Didigilo Island, Grant Island, Shortland Island | 0.8  | 0.31 | 0
Torlesse Islands |  |  | 2.08  | 0.80 | 0
Pananiu |  |  | 0.86  | 0.33 | 0
Tinolan |  |  | 0.8  | 0.31 | 0
Vanatinai Islands | Rambuso | Tagula, Donuwo, Bololo | 831.6  | 321.1 | 3360
Boboa |  |  | 0.07  | 0.027 | 0
Iyen | Iyen |  | 0.86  | 0.33 | 102
Pana Man |  |  | 0.12  | 0.046 | 0
Vanatinai | Rambuso | Tagula, Eden, Mitin, Edwahi, Griffin Point, Tarangia, Lajamare, Donuwo, Siri Point, Buiawe, Bololo, Emeli, Pamela, Madaua, Jelewaga | 830  | 320 | 3257
Venama |  |  | 0.55  | 0.21 | 0
Wari Islands | Wari |  | 3.85  | 1.49 | 926
Imbert |  |  | 0.22  | 0.085 | 0
Kosman Reef | Kosman | Nabaina | 0.17  | 0.066 | 100
Lebrun Islands |  |  | 0.22  | 0.085 | 0
Long Reef | Lejeune |  | 0.03  | 0.012 | 100
Other |  |  | 0.15  | 0.058 | 0
Quessant |  |  | 0.41  | 0.16 | 0
Sable |  |  | 0.03  | 0.012 | 0
Siga |  |  | 0.01  | 0.0039 | 0
Stuers Islands |  |  | 0.34  | 0.13 | 0
Wari | Wari |  | 2.27  | 0.88 | 726
Louisiade Archipelago | Bwagaoia | Samarai, Rossel | 1,871.1  | 722.4 | 47000

## See also

[edit]

* List of islands of Papua New Guinea
* Louisiade Rural LLG

## References

[edit]

1. ^ http://www.pngec.gov.pg/ElectionInfo2007/PollSched-MilneBay.pdf[permanent dead link‍]
2. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2006-01-02. Retrieved 2006-01-02.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Louisiade Archipelago.

* "Louisiade Archipelago" . Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). 1911.
* "Louisiade Archipelago rain forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
* Eusoils.jrc.it: detailed geology/soils map (1:1.000.000)
* Louisiades.net: Information and advice for yachts and travellers visiting the Louisiade Archipelago islands

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