Preparis

Preparis
Preparis
Location of Preparis Island in Myanmar
Geography
Location Bay of Bengal
Coordinates 14°52′30″N 93°37′48″E / 14.875°N 93.63°E / 14.875; 93.63Coordinates: 14°52′30″N 93°37′48″E / 14.875°N 93.63°E / 14.875; 93.63
Adjacent bodies of water Andaman Sea
Total islands 3
Major islands
  • Preparis
  • Cow Islet
  • Calf Islet
Area 8.1 km2 (3.1 sq mi)
Length 7.7 km (4.78 mi)
Width 1.8 km (1.12 mi)
Highest elevation 81 m (266 ft)
Administration
Region Yangon
District South Yangon
Township Cocokyun
Ward Preparis Ward
Largest settlement Preparis (pop. 50)
Demographics
Population 50 (2014)
Pop. density 6.2 /km2 (16.1 /sq mi)
Ethnic groups Bamar people
Additional information
Time zone
ISO code MM-06
Official website www.myanmarburma.com/attraction/498/preparis-island

Preparis Island is an island located between the Bay of Bengal and the Andaman Sea, 77 km (48 mi) to the NNE of the Coco Islands and 133 km (83 mi) to the SSW from Cape Negrais, the nearest point in the coast of Burma. It is 340 km (210 mi) south of the city of Yangon.

History

According to 19th century visitors, the island was uninhabited by humans, but many monkeys were observed. The island was host to the 78th Highlanders regiment when on 5 November 1816 their transport ship Frances Charlotte hit an off-shore rock. Most passengers and crew survived as a freshwater supply was discovered and their stay remained short.[1] The merchant ship Prince Blucher arrived on 10 November and between 11 and 14 November was able to rescue some 316 men, women, and children. The weather and damage to Prince Blucher prevented her from rescuing another hundred. The Government of Bengal then sent two cruisers that rescued the remainder.[2]

Geography

Preparis island makes up the northern end of the Andaman Islands chain. The island is 7.7 km (5 mi) long and has a maximum width of 1.8 km (1.1 mi). It is covered with dense forest and has gentle slopes rising to a maximum height of 81 metres (266 feet).[3]

Cow and Calf Islets

A group of 3 Flat-topped islets, 23 metres (75 feet), 3.4 km (2.1 mi) to the north.[4]

West Reef Islets

A group of 3 islets, 1 metre (3 feet), 4.2 km (2.6 mi) to the west.[4]

Preparis Pinncale

A rock, 12 metres (39 feet) high, 3 km (1.9 mi) to the south.[4]

Flora and fauna

The island is covered with low trees and bush.[5]

Administration

The island is subject to the Cocokyun township of Myanmar, along the Coco Islands.

Demographics

The island has about 50 inhabitants who engage in very small scale farming and fishing, mainly for the local consumption. These inhabitants are actually part of a military unit that inhabits remote border outposts.

Transportation

The island has a small helipad in the village.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The 78th Highlanders or Ross-Shire Buffs
  2. ↑ Naval Chronicle, vol. 38, pp.54-60.
  3. ↑ Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 India & Bay of Bengal Enroute By National Geo-spatial-intelligence Agency
  4. 1 2 3 Nautical
  5. ↑ Crawfurd, John, Journal of an Embassy from the Governor-General of India to the Courts of Siam and Cochin China, 1830


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