Vanatinai

Vanatinai is the name given to the island 225 miles south-east of New Guinea by its indigenous inhabitants. It was called by European claimants 'Sudest' or 'Tagula' and marked accordingly on maps. The volcanic and reef fringed island is located in the east of the Louisiade Archipelago. With 865.7 km², it is the largest island of the archipelago. Vanatinai town, the main settlement, is located on the northwest coast. The population of the island was about 2,300 in 1978. The principal export is copra.