Duchateau Islands

Duchateau Islands

(From left to right) Pana Bobai Ana, Pana Rura Wara and Kukuluba
Duchateau Islands
Geography
Location	Oceania
Coordinates	11°17′45″S 152°22′18″E
Archipelago	Louisiade Archipelago
Adjacent to	Solomon Sea
Total islands	3 uninhabited
Major islands	Pana Bobai Ana Pana Rura Wara Kukuluba
Area	1.49 km2 (0.58 sq mi)
Administration
Papua New Guinea
Province	Milne Bay
District	Samarai-Murua District
LLG	Louisiade Rural Local Level Government Area
Island Group	Duchateau Islands
Largest island	Pana Bobai Ana
Demographics
Population	0 (2014)
Pop. density	0/km2 (0/sq mi)
Ethnic groups	Papauans, Austronesians, Melanesians.
Additional information
Time zone	AEST (UTC+10)
ISO code	PG-MBA
Official website	www.ncdc.gov.pg

The Duchateau Islands are an island group in the Coral Sea, belonging to Papua New Guinea. They lie to the east of Panarairai Island in the Louisiade Archipelago.

Administrative

Politically they belong to the province of Milne Bay in the southeastern part of Papua New Guinea. They are controlled by the chief of Utian Island, the nearest inhabited island.

Geography

The Duchateau Islands consist of three small low-lying islands. They lie on the southwestern edge of the barrier reef of Vanatinai. The highest point is 75 feet (23 m). They are located 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south-east of the Jomard Islands and immediately northeast of Montemont Islands. Of the three islands, Pana Bobai Ana (75 hectares [190 acres]) in the west is the largest. It was formerly inhabited (village of Salunol) but the people have moved to Utian. they come each year back to the island to harvest yams and claim coconuts. The two smaller islands, Pana Rura Wara (42 hectares [100 acres]) and Kukuluba (32 hectares [79 acres]), are located on the north side of their shared lagoon.