Mataso

Mataso is an island in the Shefa of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean.[1][2] The island is a part of Shepherd Islands archipelago.

Mataso
A view on Mataso Island (2016).
Geography
LocationPacific Ocean
Coordinates17°15′10″S 168°25′30″E
ArchipelagoVanuatu, Shepherd Islands
Highest elevation45 m (148 ft)
Highest pointMatah'Alam
Administration
ProvinceShefa Province
Demographics
Population61 (2015)

Geography

Mataso Island is located 11 km south of Makira Island. It is formed by two hills separated by white sandy beaches known as Matah Susum (Small Mataso) and Matah 'Ahlam (Big Mataso), so the island was as "Two Hills" by early explorers. Matah'Alam is the highest peak at 650 m. The estimated terrain elevation above the sea level is some 45 meters.[3] The nearest islands are Makura and Emae. Mataso is widely known for its broad marine resources with rich coral reefs around the coast and a wide variety of game shipping options out on the open sea.[4]

Population

As of 2015, the island supports a population of about 61 in 12 households.[5] The main settlement is Na'asang. The principal economic activity is subsistence agriculture and Fisheries. The GDP of the island is $457 per capita. The island's language, also called Namakura, as its also used by parts of Emae, Makira, Buniga, Tongariki and parts of Tongoa. Many of the islanders now live in Port Vila by the area of Ohlen Mataso.

References
  1. "Shepherd Islands". Vanuatu Travel. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  2. "Two died on Mataso island". Vanuatu Daily Post. 2015-03-23.
  3. "Mataso Island". Mapcarta. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  4. "Shepherd group of islands". Vanuatu Islands Travel Info. Retrieved 9 August 2018.
  5. "2015 Vanuatu National Population and Households Projections by Province and Islands" (PDF). Vanuatu National Statistics Office. Retrieved 8 August 2018.


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