Tegua is an island in Vanuatu's Torres Islands chain, located in Torba Province.

Tegua
Tugue
Location of Tegua in Torres Islands
Location of Tegua in Torres Islands
Tegua is located in Vanuatu
Tegua
Tegua
Location in Vanuatu
Coordinates: 13°14′47″S 166°37′33″E / 13.24639°S 166.62583°E / -13.24639; 166.62583
Country Vanuatu
ProvinceTorba Province
Area
 • Total
30.8 km2 (11.9 sq mi)
 [1]
Population
 (2009)
 • Total
58
 • Density1.9/km2 (4.9/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+11 (VUT)

Geography

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The island spans 7 km by 6.5 km; on the eastern side of the island is Lateu Bay indented 1.8 km. Ngwel Island is located 600 meters off the west coast of Tegua Island.[2]

Population

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The only village is Lateu, with a population of 58.[3] About 100 residents of Tegua were evacuated by the government because rising sea levels were flooding their island.

One geological study found that of four islands in the group, Tegua had the slowest inferred uplift rate at 0.7 mm/yr for southeastern Tegua. A "narrow E-W trending block has been down-dropped relative to the rest of the isle.

Name

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The name Tegua [teɣua] comes from the Mota language, which was used as the primary language of the Melanesian Mission. Locally, the island is called Tugue [tʉˈɣʉə] in Lo-Toga, and Töyö [tɵˈjɵ] in Hiw. These names all come from a Proto-Torres-Banks form *Teɣua.

References

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  1. ^ "Vanuatu". Haos Blong Volkeno. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
  2. ^ Seech, John. "Tegua Island, Vanuatu - John Seach". Vanuatu Travel. Retrieved 5 August 2018.
  3. ^ "2009 National Census of Population and Housing: Summary Release" (PDF). Vanuatu National Statistics Office. 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2010. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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