Epi (island)
Geography | |
---|---|
Location | Pacific Ocean |
Coordinates | 16°53′S 168°18′E / 16.89°S 168.30°E |
Archipelago | Vanuatu |
Area | 444 km2 (171 sq mi) |
Highest elevation | 833 m (2733 ft) |
Highest point | Mount Pomare |
Administration | |
Vanuatu | |
Province | Shefa Province |
Demographics | |
Population | 5,207 (2009) |
Pop. density | 6.84/km2 (17.72/sq mi) |
Epi (or Épi, Api; formerly known as Tasiko or Volcano Island) is an island in Shefa Province, Vanuatu, at the north end of the Shepherd Islands.
The island is 43 kilometres (27 mi) long northwest–southeast, and 18 kilometres (11 mi) wide, with an area of 444 square kilometres (171 sq mi). Its shoreline measures 130 km. In 1986 it had a population of 3,035 but in 2009 it had increased to 5,200.[1][2]
Geology and Geography
The island is of volcanic origin, and its highest point,
On the northwest edge of the island is the sandy beach
History
Epi suffered depopulation during the nineteenth century on a scale that was more massive than in many other parts of Vanuatu. There is evidence that the island was considerably more diverse linguistically than it is today. The population of the interior was relocated to coastal villages after mission contact.[4]
Culture
Epi has a wide variety of languages for its size, including:
Epi High School, at Lamen Bay, is being renovated by a joint effort from
There is a
Economy
The principal economic activity is subsistence agriculture. The island's GDP is $457 per capita.
Formerly there were a number of large plantations for coconuts and copra, principally along the fertile coasts. Today most of these have been broken into small holdings, except for the large plantation at Valesdir, which continues to produce copra, beef, and kava. Other crops include peanuts (grown in the interior hills) and kava.
Fishing is important as well. The government has recently been promoting training in fishing to improve its efficiency and safety. [2]
Tourism has become more important, especially in the Lamen Bay area and Valesdir. There is accommodation available in a few other places including Sara and Nikaura.
Since 2007 with the introduction of the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) Scheme in New Zealand, in which New Zealand horticultural businesses can source seasonal labour from several
Transport
There are two airports on the island, one in the northwest, Lamen Bay Airport, and one in the southwest at Valesdir. Both are serviced a five times a week by Belair and Air Vanuatu. The island can also be reached by ship.
The island has basic unsealed roads but few vehicles.
Notes
- ^ 2009 Census Summary release final Archived December 21, 2013, at the Wayback Machine - Government of Vanuatu
- ^ "Vanuatu". Haos Blong Volkeno. Archived from the original on 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
- ^ "Shefa Province". Vanuatu Travel. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
- ISBN 0 85883 469 3.
- ^ HR Manager, Birdhurst Ltd, Motueka, New Zealand, 2009
External links
- Languages of Epi, including bibliography Archived 2009-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
- Custom stories from Epi Archived 2006-05-06 at the Wayback Machine
- "Epi". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution.
- UN Earthwatch site Archived 2012-08-13 at the Wayback Machine
- The dugong of Lamen Bay on Epi
- Tourist site, including island map and pictures
- .htm For all accommodation information and what to see on Epi Archived 2013-12-28 at the Wayback Machine