Erromango
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Erromango () is the largest island in Tafea, the southernmost province of Vanuatu. Its highest point is Mount Santop, at 886 m. Its largest villages are Port Narvin and Dillons Bay (Upongkor). The total area of Erromango is 888 square km.
It was formerly known as Martyr's Island by the Presbyterian missionaries in the 19th century, because of the alleged risk of missionary activity there.
Formerly it was known as a source of sandalwood in the 19th century, and much of it was depleted. It is also home to the kauri and tamanu trees. There has been extensive logging, but most of the area is recovering, and efforts are underway to try to make the industry sustainable. With European Union support, there is a protected Happy Lands Kauri Reserve.
Erromango was one of the more important sources of workers for the blackbirding crews. At one time the population of Erromango exceeded 10,000, today it is approximately 1500.
Historically there have been four languages of Erromango, Sie, Sorung, Ura, and Utaha (Ifo), but Sorung and Utaha are now extinct, and there are very few speakers of Ura. They constitute the Erromanga languages branch of South Vanuatu languages.
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Provinces and islands of Vanuatu
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Malampa: Penama: Sanma: Shefa: Tafea: Torba:
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Malakula | Ambrym | Paama Pentecost | Ambae | Maewo Espiritu Santo | Malo Epi | Éfaté | Shepherd Islands Tanna | Aniwa | Futuna | Erromango | Anatom Torres Islands | Banks Islands | ||
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