Everything about Epi Island totally explained
Epi (or
Épi; formerly known as
Tasiko or
Volcano Island) is the name of an island in
Vanuatu, at the north end of the
Shepherd Islands). It is in
Shefa Province. It is 43 km long northwest-southeast, and 18 km wide, with an area of 444 km². Its shoreline measures 130 km. In 1986 it had a population of 3,035.
Geology and Geography
The island is of volcanic origin, and its highest point,
Mount Pomare, which reaches a height of 833 m above
sea level, is a
quaternary volcano. It lies 13 km from the more prominent
Lopévi volcano. To the east is the largely underwater
East Epi volcano.
On the northwest edge of the island is the sandy beach
Lamen Bay, and the nearby small island of
Lamen (pop. 500). The bay has some
coral reefs which are the habitat of the
dugong. On the west coast is
Cape Forland. In the southeast is
Valesdir. In the northeast is
Drummond Bay, with the
Nikaura Marine Protected Area, established in 2000 by the community of
Nikaura. To the south is the small uninhabited islet of
Namuka. There are also black (volcanic) sand beaches, and three small freshwater lakes.
Culture
Epi has a wide variety of languages for its size, including:
Bieria in the south,
Maii in the southwest,
Baki in the west,
Bierebo in the northwest,
Lamenu at the northwest tip (and also the island of
Lamen), and
Lewo in the east. These languages are all spoken by a few to several hundred speakers each, and are considered to all form a branch of the
Austronesian languages of Vanuatu.
Epi High School, at Lamen Bay, is being renovated by a joint effort from
Kiwanis,
Air Vanuatu, and
AusAID.
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There is a
Presbyterian hospital at Vaémali (Falmali), on the north end of the island.
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.
(External Link)
Tourism has become more important, especially in the Lamen Bay area. There is accommodation available in a few other places including Valesdir and Nikaura.
Transport
There are two airports on the island, one in the northwest at
Lamen Bay, and one in the southwest at
Valesdir. Both are serviced a few times a week by
Air Vanuatu. The island can also be reached by ship.
The island has roads but few vehicles.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Epi Island'.
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