Vaitupu, largest island of the Pacific nation of Tuvalu, is located at 7.48 degrees south and 178.83 degrees west.
Demographics and history
Vaitupu is home to the second-largest population in Tuvalu, numbering about 1,200 residents. 600 students from ages 13 and 21 are sent here from throughout the archipelago to attend the country's only secondary school, Motufoua . Despite its relatively large size, the island became so overcrowded during the 1940s that several families migrated to Fiji.
Vaitupu received worldwide attention in 2000, when a fire in a dormitory at the Motufoua school killed 18 girls and an adult supervisor. It was later discovered that the fire was caused by a student using a candle to read during the night. The late Prime Minister Ionatana Ionatana declared a national tragedy and quickly traveled to the island to witness the aftermath.
Geography
All
The island, which covers approximately 5.6 square kilometers, includes swamps, mangroves, a fringing coral reef and a large lagoon.
Islands
Vaitupu consists of at least 9 islands, which are:
- Luasamotu
- Mosana (group of 2)
- Motutanifa
-
Temotu
- Te Motu Olepa
- Tofia
- Vaitupu proper
- And at least 1 other isle
- There is at least 1 isle inhabited, which is Vaitupu proper.
- The biggest island is of course Vaitupu proper, which is followed by Tofia .
Inhabited
The only village on Vaitupu consists of the neighbourhoods Tumaseu and Asau . There is a church, a primary school, at least one guesthouse and a post office. The secondary school (Motufoua ) lies on plusminus 2 kilometres, and the hospital on about 1 km.
How to get here, transportation and tourism
Today, Vaitupu can be accessed by either private boat or the government-operated MV Nivaga II at irregular intervals from Funafuti. There are paths. In the village is a guesthouse.
See also
Last updated: 05-18-2005 12:45:23
