# Merig

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Island in Torba Province, Vanuatu

Merig Island Location of Merig in Banks Islands Merig Location 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 km2 (0.19 sq mi) [1] Population (2009) • Total 12 • Density 24/km2 (62/sq mi) Time zone UTC+11 (VUT)

**Merig** is a small island located 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of [Gaua](/source/Gaua), in the [Banks Islands](/source/Banks_Islands) of northern [Vanuatu](/source/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* [\[ŋ͡mʷeriɣ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA) comes from the [Mota language](/source/Mota_language). It comes from a [Proto-Torres-Banks](/source/Proto-Torres-Banks_language) form **mʷera riɣi* "the small boy" via haplology to **mʷeriɣi*. It contrasts with [Merelava](/source/Merelava), from **mʷera-i laβa* "the big boy". The native term in [Mwerlap](/source/Mwerlap_language) is *N̄wërig* [\[ŋʷɞˈriɣ\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA), from the same etymon.

## History

The first recorded sighting of Merig Island by Europeans was by the Spanish expedition of [Pedro Fernández de Quirós](/source/Pedro_Fernandes_de_Queir%C3%B3s) on 25 April 1606.[2] It was then named *Île Sainte Claire*.[3]

## Population

As of 2009, Merig was only inhabited by three households, consisting of 12 individuals.[4] Merig was not listed in Vanuatu's 2020 census.[5]

The inhabitants of Merig speak [Mwerlap](/source/Mwerlap),[6] the language of the neighbouring island [Merelava](/source/Merelava).

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Vanuatu"](https://web.archive.org/web/20180808233930/https://haosblongvolkeno.com/en/geographic-location/). Haos Blong Volkeno. Archived from [the original](https://haosblongvolkeno.com/en/geographic-location/) on 8 August 2018. Retrieved 8 August 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Sharp, Andrew *The discovery of the Pacific Islands* Oxford, 1960, p.65.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Ray2014_3-0)** Sidney Herbert Ray (29 May 2014). [*A Comparative Study of the Melanesian Island Languages*](https://books.google.com/books?id=h9tkAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA427). Cambridge University Press. pp. 427–. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-107-68202-3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-107-68202-3).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["2009 National Census of Population and Housing: Summary Release"](https://web.archive.org/web/20101210083034/http://www.spc.int/prism/country/vu/stats/Publications/2009%20Census%20Summary%20release%20final.pdf) (PDF). [Vanuatu National Statistics Office](/source/Vanuatu_National_Statistics_Office). 2009. Archived from [the original](http://www.spc.int/prism/country/vu/stats/Publications/2009%20Census%20Summary%20release%20final.pdf) (PDF) on December 10, 2010. Retrieved October 11, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-c2020_5-0)** ["2020 National Population and Housing Census"](https://web.archive.org/web/20240911100412/https://vnso.gov.vu/sites/default/files/2020NPHC_Volume_1_-_Version_2.pdf) (PDF). *Vanuatu National Statistics Office*. 2020. Archived from [the original](https://vnso.gov.vu/sites/default/files/2020NPHC_Volume_1_-_Version_2.pdf) (PDF) on September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 11, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** [Languages of the Banks & Torres Islands](https://marama.huma-num.fr/AlexFrancois_Torba-languages_map-e.htm).

## External links

- ["Merig"](https://volcano.si.edu/volcano.cfm?vn=257802). *[Global Volcanism Program](/source/Global_Volcanism_Program)*. [Smithsonian Institution](/source/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 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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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Merig](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merig) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merig?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.