Tongoa
{{Short description|Inhabited island in Vanuatu}}
{{Distinguish|Tonga|Tangoa (island){{!}}Tangoa}}{{Infobox island
|name = Tongoa
|image_name = ShepherdIslandsMap.png
|image_caption = The island of Tongoa, in the Shepherds group
|map_image =
|native_name =
|native_name_link =
|location=Pacific Ocean
|coordinates={{coord|16|54|S|168|33|E|region:VU_type:isle|display=inline,title}}
|archipelago = Vanuatu, Shepherd Islands
|highest_mount =
|elevation_m = 191
|country = {{Flag|Vanuatu}}
|country_admin_divisions_title =Province
|country_admin_divisions =Shefa Province
|country_largest_city =
|population = 2243
|population_as_of = 2015
|density_km2 =
|ethnic_groups =
}}
Tongoa is an inhabited island in Shefa Province of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean.[http://islands.unep.ch/ILT.htm#1293 UNEP Islands Directory]
Geography
Tongoa is the largest island of Shepherd Islands archipelago. The island is heavily vegetated and shows geothermal activity. Tongoa is of recent volcanic origin but currently has no currently active volcano.{{cite web |title=Tongoa - Laika |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tongoa--laika-iba-vanuatu |publisher=Birdlife International |accessdate=10 August 2018}} There are numerous volcanic cones on the island and some black sand beaches. The estimated terrain elevation above the sea level is some 191 metres.{{cite web |title=Tongoa Island |url=https://mapcarta.com/16614738|publisher=Mapcarta |accessdate=8 August 2018}} There is an airport on the island – Tongoa Airport (TGH).{{cite web |title=Tongoa Airport (TGH) |url=https://www.world-airport-codes.com/vanuatu/tongoa-9365.html |publisher=World Airport Codes |accessdate=8 August 2018}}
Flora and fauna
The interior part of the island is dense rain forest. The island is named after the Tongoa plant which grows in the area. Megapodes nest on the island.{{cite web |title=Shepherd group of islands |url=http://www.vanuatuislandtravel.com/Shepherd-group-of-islands.htm |publisher=Vanuatu Islands Travel Info |accessdate=9 August 2018}} The only non-human mammals on the island are the Vanuatu flying fox and Tonga leather, or insular flying fox.
=Important Bird Area=
The island has been recognised as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International because it supports populations of Vanuatu megapodes, red-bellied fruit doves, grey-eared honeyeaters, cardinal myzomelas, Melanesian flycatchers, Vanuatu white-eyes and red-headed parrotfinches. The neighbouring islet of Laika to the north has a breeding colony of wedge-tailed shearwaters.{{cite web |url=http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/tongoa--laika-iba-vanuatu|title= Tongoa – Laika|author= |date=2021|website= BirdLife Data Zone|publisher= BirdLife International|access-date= 11 February 2021}}
Population
As of 2015, the official local population was 2243 people in 454 households, most of whom moved from Epi, Emae and Makira to Tongoa.{{cite web |title=2015 Vanuatu National Population and Households Projections by Province and Islands |url=https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/2015-03_VNSO_COPY_Vanuatu_provincial_and_island_population_estimates-18March2015.pdf |accessdate=8 August 2018|publisher= Vanuatu National Statistics Office}} There are 14 villages on the island. Some natives speak Makura language (Na Makura) and North Efate language (Na Kanamanga).{{cite book |last1=Coiffier |first1=Christian |title=Traditional Architecture in Vanuatu |year=1988 |isbn=9789820200470 |page=129 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3-TOLFMUPzQC&q=ewose&pg=PA129 |accessdate=10 August 2018}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Provinces and islands of Vanuatu}}
{{authority control}}