Kiwai Island

Kiwai Island
NASA satellite image (Geocover 2000)
Interactive map of Kiwai Island
Geography
LocationFly River delta
Coordinates8°33′S 143°25′E / 8.550°S 143.417°E / -8.550; 143.417
ArchipelagoFly River Delta Islands
Major islandsKiwai, Purutu, Wabuda Island
Area359.1 km2 (138.6 sq mi)
Length59 km (36.7 mi)
Width9 km (5.6 mi)
Coastline135.3 km (84.07 mi)
Highest pointunnamed
Administration
Papua New Guinea
ProvinceWestern Province
DistrictSouth Fly District
LLGKiwai Rural
Largest settlementIasa
Demographics
Population2092 (2000)
Ethnic groupsKiwai

Kiwai Island is the largest island in the Fly River delta, Papua New Guinea. It is 59 km (37 mi) long along the northwest–southeast axis from Wamimuba Point in the northwest to the village of Saguane (Sanguane) in the south, and up to 9 km (5.6 mi) wide, with an average width of 5.6 km (3.5 mi). Its area is 359 km2 (139 sq mi). Neighboring Purutu and Wabuda Islands to the north and northeast are also among the three largest islands in the Fly River delta. A language study mentioned a population of about 4,500, but the census of population of 2000 showed only 2,092 inhabitants.