Location Pacific Ocean Population 189 (2009) Island group Banks Islands | Archipelago Vanuatu, Banks Islands Area 5 km² Province Torba Province | |
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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.
Contents
Map of Ra, Vanuatu
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 give a population of 189 inhabitants.