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Merig
Island
Location of Merig in Banks Islands
MerigLocation in Vanuatu
Coordinates: 14°19′S 167°48′E / 14.317°S 167.800°E / -14.317; 167.800
Country	Vanuatu
Province	Torba Province
Area
• Total	0.5 km (0.2 sq mi)
Population
• Total	12
• Density	24/km (62/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+11 (VUT)

Merig is a small island located 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of Gaua, in the Banks Islands of northern Vanuatu.

The island is about 800 metres (2,600 feet) wide, and has a circumference of 2.2 kilometres (1 mile).

Name

The name Merig [ŋ͡mʷeriɣ] comes from the Mota language. It comes from a Proto-Torres-Banks form *mʷera riɣi "the small boy" via haplology to *mʷeriɣi. It contrasts with Merelava, from *mʷera-i laβa "the big boy". The native term in Mwerlap is N̄wërig [ŋʷɞˈriɣ], from the same etymon.

History

The first recorded sighting of Merig Island by Europeans was by the Spanish expedition of Pedro Fernández de Quirós on 25 April 1606. It was then named Île Sainte Claire.

Population

As of 2009, Merig was only inhabited by three households, consisting of 12 individuals. Merig was not listed in Vanuatu's 2020 census.

The inhabitants of Merig speak Mwerlap, the language of the neighbouring island Merelava.

References

1. "Vanuatu". Haos Blong Volkeno. Archived from the original on 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.
2. Sharp, Andrew The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford, 1960, p.65.
3. Sidney Herbert Ray (29 May 2014). A Comparative Study of the Melanesian Island Languages. Cambridge University Press. pp. 427–. ISBN 978-1-107-68202-3.
4. "2009 National Census of Population and Housing: Summary Release" (PDF). Vanuatu National Statistics Office. 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 10, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.
5. "2020 National Population and Housing Census" (PDF). Vanuatu National Statistics Office. 2020. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.
6. Languages of the Banks & Torres Islands.

External links

• "Merig". Global Volcanism Program. Smithsonian Institution. Retrieved 2021-06-28.

v t e Islands of Vanuatu by province
Provinces of Vanuatu	Malampa Penama Sanma Shefa Tafea Torba
Islands and islets	Malampa Akhamb Ambrym Arseo Atchin Avock Awei Khoti Leumanang Lopevi Malakula Maskelyne Islands Norsup Paama Rano Sakao Sowan Tomman Uluveo Uri Uripiv Vao Varo Vulaï Wala Penama Ambae Maewo Pentecost Sanma Aese Aore Araki Asuleka Bokissa Dany Island Elephant Island Espiritu Santo Lataro Lataroa Malo Malokilikili Malotina Malparavu Maltinerava Malvapevu Malwepe Mavia Ratua Sakao Tangoa Thion Tutuba Urelapa Shefa Buninga Efate Ekapum Lep Emae Emao Epi Erakor Eratap Eretoka Erueti Lep Ewose Falea Fatumiala Ifira Iririki Iriwiti Lep Kakula Kuwae Laika Lamen Lelepa Makura Mataso Mele Moso Namuka Nguna Pele Tefala Tongariki Tongoa Wot (Étarik) Tafea Aneityum Aniwa Erromango Futuna Inyeug Tanna Vete Manung (Goat Island) Torba Gaua Hiw Kwakéa Leneu Linua Lo Merelava Merig Metoma Mota Mota Lava Nawila Ngwel Ra Ravenga Rowa Islands Tegua Toga Ureparapara Vanua Lava Vot Tande

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