Ra (island)

Ra

Native name: Aya
File:Mota Lava.jpg The islet of Ra is located at the southwest point of the bigger island Mota Lava.
File:Womtelo Map-Banks-Vanuatu 1000.png
Geography
Location	Pacific Ocean
Coordinates
Archipelago	Vanuatu, Banks Islands
Area
Country
Vanuatu
Province	Torba Province
Demographics
Population	189 (as of 2009)

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.

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.