Maskelyne Islands
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Maskelyne Islands
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| settlement_type = Archipelago
| image_skyline = Maskelynes.png
| image_alt =
| image_caption = Maskelynes anchorage
| image_map = Vanuatu - Malakula.PNG
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Location of Malakula within Vanuatu
| coordinates = {{coord|16|30|S|167|50|E|region:VU|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Vanuatu}}
| subdivision_type1 = Province
| subdivision_name1 = Malampa Province
| established_title =
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| seat_type = Municipality seat
| seat =
| unit_pref = Metric
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| population_total = 1022
| population_as_of = 2009
| population_rank =
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_note =
| timezone = VUT
| utc_offset = +11
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The Maskelyne Islands, often abbreviated as the Maskelynes, are a small chain of low islands that forms part of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean. Among the islands are Awei, Avock, Leumanang, Uluveo, and Vulai. Uluveo (also called Maskelyne) is the main island in the group and has three villages.{{cite web |title=The Maskelyne Islands, South Malekula |url=http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/malampa/maskelynes.htm |publisher=Positive Earth |accessdate=10 August 2018}}
The islands lie at the southeastern end of Malakula, which is the second-largest island in the nation of Vanuatu. They were named by Captain Cook after the Astronomer Royal Nevil Maskelyne as he sailed north from Port Resolution on Tanna in HMS Resolution in late 1774.{{cite news|title=A Cruising Sailor Gets Up Close and Personal|url=http://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to/living-aboard/a-cruising-sailor-gets-up-close-and-personal|accessdate=3 December 2011|newspaper=Cruising World|date=11 May 2007}}
Population
The Maskelyne islands are relatively well-inhabited, (1,022 by 2009).[http://www.governmentofvanuatu.gov.vu/index.php/publicationdocuments/vanuatu-statistics 2009 Census Summary release final] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131221233814/http://www.governmentofvanuatu.gov.vu/index.php/publicationdocuments/vanuatu-statistics |date=2013-12-21 }} - Government of Vanuatu which is considered to have historical reasons in part that life on the islands provided protection from attacks by mainland tribes which were not good seafarers, and thus had trouble reaching the island chain. However, the island chain also went through a variety of cycles of population and depopulation (causes not given in reference).{{cite book|last=Speiser|first=Felix|title=Ethnology of Vanuatu (translation of "Ethnographische Materialien aus den Neuen Hebriden und den Banks Inseln")|date=1923}}
Economy and services
The area is rich with fish and sharks,{{cite book|title=Diving and snorkeling guide to Vanuatu|author1=Bob Bowdey |author2=Judy Beaty |author3=Brian Ansell |year=1995}} and Lonely Planet describes the Maskelynes as 'just gorgeous' and recommends them for snorkelling and diving opportunities—though warning of strong currents between the islands.{{cite news|title=Introducing The Maskelynes|url=http://www.lonelyplanet.com/vanuatu/malekula/the-maskelynes|accessdate=3 December 2011|newspaper=Lonely Planet|date=1 October 2008}} However, as of the late 2000s, there was little tourism in the area, being a very remote part of Vanuatu.
The islands have very little modern infrastructure, even for the local Pacific island environment, though the Vanuatu government and various aid agencies have cooperated with locals to assist some smaller local schools and health facilities.{{cite news|title=Where They Went: Vanuatu|url=http://archive.boston.com/travel/articles/2005/03/13/where_they_went_vanuatu/|access-date=3 December 2011|newspaper=Boston.com|date=13 March 2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606231555/http://articles.boston.com/2005-03-13/travel/29220666_1_vanuatu-malaria-education-port-vila|archive-date=6 June 2012}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.positiveearth.org/bungalows/malampa/maskelynes.htm The Maskelyne Islands, South Malekula] (a website describing some of the facilities for visitors)
{{Provinces and islands of Vanuatu}}
{{authority control}}
{{Vanuatu-geo-stub}}