Rai Coast District Explained

Rai Coast (Rai Kos) District
Other Name:South Coast
Pushpin Map:Papua New Guinea
Coordinates:-5.501°N 145.85°W
Pushpin Label Position:right
Pushpin Map Caption:Location within Papua New Guinea
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:Papua New Guinea
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Madang Province
Seat Type:Capital
Seat:Saidor
Area Total Km2:5433
Population Total:83213
Population As Of:2011 census
Population Density Km2:auto
Demographics1 Title1:Main languages
Timezone1:AEST
Utc Offset1:+10

Rai Coast District is a district in the southeast of Madang Province in Papua New Guinea. It is one of the six districts that of the Madang Province. The District has four local level government (LLG) areas namely; Astrolabe Bay, Nahu Rawa, (Nankina, Yupna & Domung (NAYUDO) and Saidor (formerly Rai Kos). The District has 84 ward areas. The largest local government area is Saidor which has 42 wards.

The District's headquarter or administrative center is located at Saidor in the Saidor LLG area. Historically, Saidor was the base for the allied forces during World War II, while the Astrolabe Bay LLG area was known by the Ukrainian anthropologist and explorer Miklouho-Maclay who landed in the area in September 1871 on his boat - Vitiaz. Today a memorial stands at Garagasi in Bongu village.

Geographically, Rai Coast District is the most difficult districts in Madang Province with mountains (Mt. Abirara & Mt. Aniabo) rising to more than 2,000 meters asl. Road accessibility is very limited to a track. Only during dry season, four wheel drive vehicles can be used. From Madang to the border, there are many fast running creeks and rivers and makes crossing difficult during wet season.

Many Rai Coast languages are spoken in this district.

See also

References

-5.501°N 145.85°W