Wuvulu Island

[1] It is an island of volcanic origin encircled by a coral reef with a maximum height of three meters (10 feet) above sea level.

The first sighting by Europeans of Wuvulu Island was by the Spanish navigator Iñigo Órtiz de Retes on 27 July 1545 when on board of the carrack San Juan tried to return from Tidore to New Spain.

The German Administration, however, also gave a restricted occupancy to Wahlen over Ruvuraue Reserve.

This was apparently in return for the granting to the local people of certain rights to taro pits on the properties.

Both titles were made the subject of encumbrances relating to mining and to transfer back to the Administration for landing places and other public purposes.