FERGUSSON ISLAND

largest of the D'Entrecasteaux Islands, which are a part of Papua New Guinea. The island lies 30 miles (50 km) across Ward Hunt Strait from the southeastern tip of New Guinea, in the Solomon Sea, southwestern Pacific. It is separated from Goodenough Island (northwest) by Moresby Strait and from Normanby Island (southeast) by Dawson Strait. The volcanic island, measuring 40 by 30 miles (65 by 48 km), has a total land area of 519 square miles (1,345 square km). Rising to 5,003 feet (1,525 m) at Mount Euagwaba, Fergusson Island is drained by numerous short streams. Although the central peak is extinct, there are signs of its former activity, including geysers and fumaroles. Seymour Bay is located on the west coast, Sebutuia Bay on the east, and Hughes Bay on the north. The principal settlements, Salamo and Mapamoiwa, are on the southern coast. Gold is found on the island. Pop. (1983 est.) 14,939.