Nayau

NASA astronaut image of Nayau island, Lau Archipelago, Fiji

Nayau
Island
Nayau Location in Fiji
Coordinates: 17°59′S179°3′W / 17.983°S 179.050°W / -17.983; -179.050
Country	Fiji
Island group	Northern Lau Islands

Nayau is an island in Fiji, a member of the Lau archipelago. It was the ancestral island of the Vuanirewa Clan, who were later exiled to the nearby island of Lakeba.^{[ citation needed ]}

There are three villages located on the island: Salia, Narociva and Liku. ^[1]

History

Charles Wilkes visited the island in 1840. ^[1] In 1979 Hurricane Meli struck the island, causing severe damage to two villages and leading to the deaths of several people. ^[1]

As of 2009 the island has around 400 persons. ^[1]

Economy

The main export of the island is copra, derived from coconut trees. ^[1]

Geography

The island is ringed by shallow reefs. Its coastal shores are thought to have been formed by storm-wave depositions. ^[1]

It is located at 17°58'39"S 179°3'13"W, northwest of Lakeba.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. Jones, S. (2009). Food and Gender in Fiji: Ethnoarchaeological Explorations. G - Reference,Information and Interdisciplinary Subjects Series. Lexington Books. p. 23. ISBN   978-0-7391-3480-1 . Retrieved 2024-02-23.