Kauempana

Kauempana is a coastal municipality in the Melathi Archipelago, a remote part of the sovereign state of Valora. It functions as a fishing port, local market town, and administrative center for the surrounding islands. The name Kauempana is believed to derive from the Kau language, with kau meaning "you" and empana meaning "far away," a reference to its distance from the archipelago's main settlements.

The town sits on a sheltered bay on the eastern coast of the largest island, with mangrove swamps, onshore reefs, and limestone hills inland. It has a tropical rainforest climate, with average temperatures around 25 to 29 C and a wet season from May to November.

Kauempana began as a seasonal trading post in the 17th century and grew into a permanent settlement during the 18th century. It remained a minor port through colonial times and developed modern municipal institutions after Valora's independence, with port upgrades in the mid-20th century.

The local economy centers on fishing and fish processing, supplemented by coconut farming, fruit crops, and small-scale boatbuilding. Tourism is modest but rising, focused on boat tours, snorkeling at nearby reefs, and visits to cultural villages.

The population is about 9,800. The community is a mix of coastal Malay-descended families and Indigenous groups, with Kauempanese as the customary language alongside the national language. Local festivals celebrate sea harvest and craft traditions. Notable sites include Kauempana Lighthouse, the Old Fort ruins, and the Sinaran Bay Marine Reserve. Governance is headed by a mayor and a municipal council within Valora's provincial structure.