Sariba Island
Sariba Island | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Oceania |
| Coordinates | 10°36′30″S 150°43′30″E / 10.60833°S 150.72500°E[1] |
| Archipelago | Louisiade Archipelago |
| Adjacent to | Solomon Sea |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Major islands |
|
| Area | 23.21 km2 (8.96 sq mi) |
| Length | 5.5 km (3.42 mi) |
| Width | 7.8 km (4.85 mi) |
| Coastline | 41.6 km (25.85 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 296 m (971 ft) |
| Highest point | Mount Haines |
| Administration | |
| Province | Milne Bay |
| Island Group | Samarai Islands |
| Island Group | Sariba Islands |
| Ward | split |
| Largest settlement | Sidudu (pop. 300) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1880 (2014) |
| Pop. density | 81/km2 (210/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Papuans, Austronesians, Melanesians. |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| ISO code | PG-MBA |
| Official website | www |
Saliba Island is an island to the south of Milne Bay in Milne Bay Province, Papua New Guinea.
Administration
The island has 2 Wards: Sidudu in the northern part (with adjoining islands), and Sauasauaga on the southern part (which also includes adjoining islands and the western part of Sideia). Both Wards belong to Bwanabwana Rural Local Level Government Area LLG, Samarai-Murua District, which are in Milne Bay Province.[2][3][4]
Geography
The island is part of the Sariba group, itself a part of Samarai Islands of the Louisiade Archipelago. The island is only 240 meters at its closest part to the larger Sideia Island, near the town of Sauasauaga. Its highest point is 278 metres. Sariba has a tropical rainforest climate.[5]
History
Sariba Island was first sighted by Europeans when the Spanish expedition of Luís Vaez de Torres passed through Sawa Sawaga channel that they named Boca de Batalla (Battle Passage) on 20 July 1606.[6] During World War II the US Navy built a seaplane base on the island as part of Naval Base Milne Bay. The base contained a camp for 130 men, a small boat pier, communications building, offices, and general storehouses.[7]
Demographics
The population of 1980 was living in 30 villages across the island. The most important one, and where the dock is located, is Sidudu. The other villages (clockwise): Simsimai, Nawaripa, Tobai, Wakoiara, Tanabuibuna, Sebuluna, Bwasikoko, Lamabo, Labulabu, Namoai, Isunaleilei, Sauasauaga, Dabunai, Bwastau, Porapa, Gamarai, Kwalosai, Iogi, Sunamaleuya, Kikina, Debasina, Koitubitubi, Magalkalona, Magesina, Magehau, Dagadaga.[8]
Economy
The islanders are farmers as opposed to eastern Louisiade Archipelago islanders. They grow Sago, Taro, and Yams for crops.[9] There is a small boatbuilding industry, with many of the male inhabitants contributing to the work.[10]
Transportation
There is a dock at Sidudu.
References
- ^ Prostar Sailing Directions 2004 New Guinea Enroute, p. 168
- ^ LLG map
- ^ "Districts of Papua New Guinea". Statoids. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "PNG Admin Boundaries". OCHA. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ "Sariba Island topographic map". Topographic Map. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
- ^ Hilder, Brett The voyage of Torres, Brisbane, 1980, pp.29
- ^ "Building the Navy's Bases in World War II Volume II (Part III, Chapter 26)". Wayback Machine. Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 6 July 2025.
- ^ map with villages
- ^ Lonely Planet
- ^ "Boat builder determined to contribute to connecting maritime provinces". Papua New Guinea Post Courier. 2 April 2025. Retrieved 29 June 2025.