Ra (island)

Ra

Native name: <span class="nickname" ">Aya
The islet of Ra is located at the southwest point of the bigger island Mota Lava.
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	13°42′58″S 167°37′48″E / 13.71611°S 167.63000°ECoordinates: 13°42′58″S 167°37′48″E / 13.71611°S 167.63000°E
Archipelago	Vanuatu, Banks Islands
Area	05 km^2 (1.9 sq mi)
Country
Vanuatu
Province	Torba Province
Demographics
Population	189 (as of 2009)

Ra (sometimes incorrectly spelled Rah) is a small coral islet of 0.5 km² (0.19 sq mi), located in the Banks group of northern Vanuatu. The same name also refers to the single village which is situated within this islet.

The islet of Ra is situated off the larger island of Mota Lava. Access to Ra is done in two ways: at low tide, by wading across the narrow strait from the mainland; at high tide, by outrigger canoe.

Name

The islet is known in English, and Bislama, as Ra [ra]. This name reflects a shortened version of the form Rao (IPA: [rao]), which is the way the islet is called in the neighbouring language Mota.

In the islanders' own language Mwotlap, the islet of Ra is called Aya (IPA: [aˈja]).

The spelling Rah, which is sometimes found in foreigners' accounts, is wrong.

Population

The 2009 census figures^[1] give a population of 189 inhabitants.

References

1. "2009 National Census of Population and Housing: Summary Release" (PDF). Vanuatu National Statistics Office. 2009. Retrieved November 21, 2010.