Groote Eylandt
Groote Eylandt from space, November 1989
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 Groote Eylandt
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| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Gulf of Carpentaria |
| Coordinates | 13°58′S 136°35′E / 13.967°S 136.583°ECoordinates: 13°58′S 136°35′E / 13.967°S 136.583°E |
| Area | 2,326.1 km2 (898.1 sq mi) |
| Length | 50 km (31 mi) |
| Width | 60 km (37 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 219 m (719 ft) |
| Highest point | Central Hill |
| Administration | |
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Australia
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| Territory | Northern Territory |
| Region |
East Arnhem Region/ unincorporated Alyangula |
| Ward |
Anindilyakwa Ward/ unincorporated Alyangula |
| Largest settlement | Angurugu (pop. 1269) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1,539 (2007-06-30) |
| Ethnic groups | Anindilyakwa |
Groote Eylandt is the largest island in the Gulf of Carpentaria and the fourth largest island in Australia. It is the homeland of, and is owned by, the Warnindhilyagwa who speak the isolated Anindilyakwa language.
Groote Eylandt lies about 50 km (31 mi) from the Northern Territory mainland and eastern coast of Arnhem Land, about 630 km (391 mi) from Darwin, opposite Blue Mud Bay. The island measures about 50 km (31 mi) from east to west and 60 km (37 mi) from north to south; its area is 2,326.1 km2 (898.1 sq mi). It is generally quite low-lying, with an average height above sea level of 15 metres (49 ft), although Central Hill reaches an elevation of 219 metres (719 ft). It was named by the explorer Abel Tasman in 1644 and is Dutch for "Large Island" in an archaic spelling. The modern Dutch spelling is Groot Eiland.
Together with Bickerton Island and a few smaller satellite islands, Groote Eylandt forms Anindilyakwa Ward of East Arnhem Region. It contains the communities of Angurugu, Alyangula, Umbakumba, Yadagba District, Uburamudja District and Sandy Hill (Groote Eylandt) and Milyakburra District (Bickerton Island).
Outside the local government subdivision is the mining company GEMCO town of Alyangula, which is unincorporated territory within the Northern Region of Northern Territory.
Groote Eylandt is part of the Arnhem Land Aboriginal Reserve. GEMCO, a South32 (60%) / Anglo American plc (40%) joint venture, operates a large manganese mine near the community of Angurugu. In operation since the early 1960s, the mine produces more than 3.8 million tonnes annually - about a quarter of the world's total.
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