The Calvados Chain are a group of islands in the Solomon Sea, belonging to Papua New Guinea within the Louisiade Archipelago.

Calvados Chain
Satellite image
Calvados Chain is located in Papua New Guinea
Calvados Chain
Calvados Chain
Geography
LocationOceania
Coordinates11°09′48″S 152°48′32″E / 11.16333°S 152.80889°E / -11.16333; 152.80889[1]
ArchipelagoLouisiade Archipelago
Adjacent toSolomon Sea
Total islands45
Major islands
Area85.1 km2 (32.9 sq mi)
Administration
Province Milne Bay
DistrictSamarai-Murua District
LLG[2]multiple
Island GroupCalvados Chain
Largest settlementBomalou (pop. 300)
Demographics
Population3276 (2014)
Ethnic groupsPapauans, Austronesians, Melanesians.
Additional information
Time zone
ISO codePG-MBA
Official websitewww.ncdc.gov.pg

Geography

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The group extends from Pana Varavara in the west to the small island of Nigaho in the east over a distance of 88 km (55 mi). The easternmost island of Nigaho is where the chain of islands end. Pana Tinani is separated from the group by the isolated Magamaga Channel. The islands rise up to 302 meters (991 ft) (Motorina) steeply from the sea and are either wooded or overgrown with grass. Many islands are surrounded by their own reefs and small lagoons. Apart from the high islands, there are numerous low coral islands and reefs. The eastern edge of the chain lies to the northwest of Vanatinai (formerly Sudest) Island.[3]

Population

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Twelve of the islands are inhabited, with a total of 3276 residents as of 2014. The islanders speak the Misima-Paneati Language.

Islands

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Primary islands in the chain:

Island Capital Other Cities Area Population
2014
km2 sq mi
Pana Varavara 0.57 0.22 0
Panasia 2.11 0.81 0
Sloss Islands 0.36 0.14 0
Utian Utian 1.54 0.59 514
Pana Rora 0.81 0.31 0
Pana Udu Udi 0.69 0.27 0
Gulewa Gulewa 0.59 0.23 18
Ululina Ululina 0.59 0.23 5
Venariwa Venariwa 0.76 0.29 16
Motorina Riman Bay Tawara, Mabaraboraboa 7.8 3.0 595
Bonna Wan 1.09 0.42 0
Bagaman Bagaman 7.45 2.88 264
Bobo Eina 2.43 0.94 0
Pana Numara Hoba Bay 1.93 0.75 183
Yaruman 0.37 0.14 0
Panangaribu 0.5 0.19 0
Panatinane 0.79 0.31 0
Pana Krusima 1.47 0.57 0
Kuwanak Kuwanak 3.66 1.41 170
Gigila Nogui 1.42 0.55 121
Pana Wina Bomalou Panambari, Boiama 30.55 11.80 456
Hemenahei 10.15 3.92 0
Nigao Nigao 0.1 0.039 226
Sabari Hekampan Tandeyai, Hebenahine, Maho 4.04 1.56 708
Calvados Chain Pana Wina Motorina, Bagaman 85.1 32.9 3276

[4]

References

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  1. ^ Prostar Sailing Directions 2004 New Guinea Enroute, p. 168
  2. ^ "LLG map" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-08-11. Retrieved 2016-03-10.
  3. ^ The Kula: New Perspectives on Massim Exchange, pp. 469-70 (1983)
  4. ^ Calvados Chain, oceandots.com (1999)(archive.com)