TheKaniet Islands are the easternmost group[1] islands within theWestern Islands of theBismarck Archipelago,Papua New Guinea. It consists four islands and oneislet.[1] Their coordinates are0°54′S145°32′E / 0.900°S 145.533°E /-0.900; 145.533, located north-east of theHermit Islands.Sae Island is a nearby island often subsumed under the Kaniet(-Sae) Islands, albeit the two are distinct.[1] Another name for the Kaniet(-Sae) Islands is "Anchorite Islands".[1]
The first sighting by Europeans of Kaniet islands was by the Spanish navigatorIñigo Órtiz de Retes on 19 August 1545 when on board of thecarrackSan Juan tried to return fromTidore toNew Spain. He charted them asHombres Blancos (White Men in Spanish) because of the color of the skin of its inhabitants that contrasted with that of the population ofNew Guinea. In 1780 and 1800 they received visits of new Spanish expeditions commanded respectively byFrancisco Mourelle de la Rúa andJuan Antonio de Ibargoitia.[2]
Islands ofPapua New Guinea | |
|---|---|
| Bismarck Archipelago | |
| Louisiade Archipelago | |
| North Solomon Islands | |
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