Sandaun Province | ||
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West Sepik Province | ||
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Sandaun Province in Papua New Guinea |
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Coordinates: 3°40′S 141°30′E / 3.667°S 141.500°E | ||
Country | Papua New Guinea | |
Capital | Vanimo | |
Districts | ||
Government | ||
• Governor | Akmat Mai 2012- | |
Area | ||
• Total | 35,820 km2 (13,830 sq mi) | |
Population (2011 census) | ||
• Total | 248,411 | |
• Density | 6.9/km2 (18/sq mi) | |
Time zone | AEST (UTC+10) |
Sandaun Province is the north-westernmost province of Papua New Guinea. It covers an area of 35,920 km² and has a population of 248,411 (2011 census). The capital is Vanimo. In July 1998 the area surrounding the town Aitape was hit by an enormous tsunami which killed over 2,000 people.
There are four districts in the province. Each district has one or more Local Level Government (LLG) areas. For census purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.
The province was governed by a decentralised provincial administration, headed by a Premier, from 1978 to 1995. Following reforms taking effect that year, the national government reassumed some powers, and the role of Premier was replaced by a position of Governor, to be held by the winner of the province-wide seat in the National Parliament of Papua New Guinea.
The province and each district is represented by a Member of the National Parliament. There is one provincial electorate and each district is an open electorate.