Preparis

Preparis Island is part of the Yangon Region of Myanmar. Together with the other Andaman Islands (the majority of which are a union territory of India), it marks the boundary between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea. The island has a population of 50 and a total area of 8.1 km2 (3.1 sq mi).

Preparis
Preparis
Location of Preparis Island in Myanmar and in the Bay of Bengal
Preparis
Preparis (Bay of Bengal)
Geography
LocationBay of Bengal
Coordinates14.875°N 93.63°E / 14.875; 93.63
Adjacent bodies of waterAndaman Sea
Total islands3
Major islands
  • Preparis
  • Cow Islet
  • Calf Islet
Area8.1 km2 (3.1 sq mi)
Length7.7 km (4.78 mi)
Width1.8 km (1.12 mi)
Highest elevation81 m (266 ft)
Administration
RegionYangon
DistrictSouth Yangon
TownshipCocokyun
WardPreparis Ward
Largest settlementPreparis (pop. 50)
Demographics
Population50 (2014)
Pop. density6.2/km2 (16.1/sq mi)
Ethnic groupsBamar people
Additional information
Time zone
ISO codeMM-06
Official websitewww.myanmarburma.com/attraction/498/preparis-island

The island is 133 km (83 mi) to the SSW of Cape Negrais, the nearest point on the Myanmar mainland and 340 km (210 mi) south of the capital, Yangon. The five Coco Islands (also part of Myanmar) are 77 km (48 mi) to the south.

History

According to 19th century visitors, the island was uninhabited by humans, but many monkeys were observed. The island was host to the 78th Highlanders regiment when on 5 November 1816 their transport ship Frances Charlotte hit an off-shore rock. Most passengers and crew survived as a freshwater supply was discovered and their stay remained short.[1] The merchant ship Prince Blucher arrived on 10 November and between 11 and 14 November was able to rescue some 316 men, women, and children. The weather and damage to Prince Blucher prevented her from rescuing another hundred. The Government of Bengal then sent two cruisers that rescued the remainder.[2]

Geography

Preparis island makes up the northern end of the Andaman Islands chain. The island is 7.7 km (5 mi) long and has a maximum width of 1.8 km (1.1 mi). It is covered with dense forest and has gentle slopes rising to a maximum height of 81 metres (266 feet).[3]

Cow and Calf Islets

A group of 3 Flat-topped islets, 23 metres (75 feet), 3.4 km (2.1 mi) to the north.[4]

West Reef Islets

A group of 3 islets, 1 metre (3 feet), 4.2 km (2.6 mi) to the west.[4]

Preparis Pinnacle

A rock, 12 metres (39 feet) high, 3 km (1.9 mi) to the south.[4]

Flora and fauna

The island is covered with low trees and bush.[5]

Administration

The island is subject to the Cocokyun township of Myanmar, along the Coco Islands.

Demographics

The island has about 50 inhabitants who engage in very small scale farming and fishing, mainly for the local consumption; part of a military unit that inhabits remote border outposts.

Transportation

Several beaches can cater for small supply craft. A small helipad serves the settlement.

See also
Extreme points
Borders of Myanmar
  • Map

References
  1. The 78th Highlanders or Ross-Shire Buffs
  2. Naval Chronicle, vol. 38, pp.54-60.
  3. Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 India & Bay of Bengal Enroute By National Geo-spatial-intelligence Agency
  4. Nautical
  5. Crawfurd, John, Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China, 1830


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