Saibai Island (Saibai Island)
Saibai Island, commonly called Saibai, is an island of the Torres Strait Islands archipelago, located in the Torres Strait of Queensland, Australia. The island is situated north of the Australian mainland and south of the island of New Guinea. The island is a locality within the Torres Strait Island Region local government area. The town of Saibai is located on the north-west coast of the island. According to the, Saibai Island had a population of 465 people.
Most of the island is held under native title, apart from some government infrastructure and historic buildings.
The island was formed by alluvial deposits from Papua New Guinean rivers.
Saibai is a fairly large low-lying island located 4 km south of the Papua New Guinea mainland. Close to the north of Saibai is the uninhabited Kauamag, separated from Saibai by a channel that is 7 km long, between 180 and 650 m wide, and nearly blocked at its east end.
The island is about 21.8 km in length by 5.2 km in width, and is flat, predominantly mangrove swamplands, with the highest point being 1.7 m above mean sea level, and prone to flooding during the wet season, which coincides with king tides. A bitumen airstrip allows year-round access.
Saibai is part of the north-western island group of Torres Strait, which consists of the Saibai, Dauan and Boigu islands. Saibai lies approximately 5 km off the coast of New Guinea and is approximately 20 km long and 6 km wide. The island is an average of 1 m above sea level and consists largely of mangrove fringe, flood plain and brackish swamps. The island is vulnerable to flooding and rising sea levels, particularly during the wet season when around 2 m of water regularly falls onto the island. During the dry season however, the island experiences drought-like conditions.
The main village of Saibai, in the northwest, has a population of 171. The second village, Churum [Surum White Sand], in the southwest, numbers 128.
Most of the island is held under native title, apart from some government infrastructure and historic buildings.
The island was formed by alluvial deposits from Papua New Guinean rivers.
Saibai is a fairly large low-lying island located 4 km south of the Papua New Guinea mainland. Close to the north of Saibai is the uninhabited Kauamag, separated from Saibai by a channel that is 7 km long, between 180 and 650 m wide, and nearly blocked at its east end.
The island is about 21.8 km in length by 5.2 km in width, and is flat, predominantly mangrove swamplands, with the highest point being 1.7 m above mean sea level, and prone to flooding during the wet season, which coincides with king tides. A bitumen airstrip allows year-round access.
Saibai is part of the north-western island group of Torres Strait, which consists of the Saibai, Dauan and Boigu islands. Saibai lies approximately 5 km off the coast of New Guinea and is approximately 20 km long and 6 km wide. The island is an average of 1 m above sea level and consists largely of mangrove fringe, flood plain and brackish swamps. The island is vulnerable to flooding and rising sea levels, particularly during the wet season when around 2 m of water regularly falls onto the island. During the dry season however, the island experiences drought-like conditions.
The main village of Saibai, in the northwest, has a population of 171. The second village, Churum [Surum White Sand], in the southwest, numbers 128.
Map - Saibai Island (Saibai Island)
Map
Country - Australia
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Currency / Language
ISO | Currency | Symbol | Significant figures |
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AUD | Australian dollar | $ | 2 |
ISO | Language |
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EN | English language |