Vanua Balavu
Vanua Balavu (pronounced [βaˈnua mbaˈlaβu]) is the third largest island in Fiji's Lau archipelago, and the main island of the Northern Lau Group.
 Location in the Lau Groupgn. | |
 | |
| Geography | |
|---|---|
| Location | Fiji |
| Coordinates | 17°14′S 178°57′W |
| Archipelago | Northern Lau Islands |
| Adjacent bodies of water | Koro Sea |
| Total islands | 1 |
| Major islands | 1 |
| Area | 57 km2 (22 sq mi)[1] |
| Length | 21 km (13 mi) |
| Highest elevation | 283 m (928 ft) |
| Administration | |
Fiji | |
| Division | Eastern |
| Province | Lau Province |
| Sub-Province | Northern Lau Islands |
| Largest settlement | Lomaloma (pop. 250) |
| Demographics | |
| Population | 1200 (2014) |
| Pop. density | 21.05/km2 (54.52/sq mi) |
| Ethnic groups | Native Fijians, Indo-Fijians ; other (Asian, Europeans, other Pacific Islander) |
Geography and infrastructure
This coral and volcanic island has a land area of 53 square kilometres (20 square miles). Its maximum elevation is 283 metres (928 feet). The island is characterized by steep undercut cliffs, with fertile volcanic soil. It is well watered and has hot springs. There is an extensive reef system, including the islets of Qilaqila also known as the Bay of Islands. The traditional owners of Qilaqila are the iTaukei, the mataqalis' from Mavana Village. All visitors to Qilaqila must do sevusevu and have received permission from Mavana to visit.
The main village on the island is Lomaloma. Vanua Balavu has an airstrip, a post office in Lomaloma copra port, and a small hospital. There was also the Lomaloma Copra Biofuel Project which provided power to three villages, Naqara, Sawana and Lomaloma, however, it is now defunct.
Points of interest
A large sea cave on the southeastern tip of Vanuabalavu was excavated and shown to have been used by humans more than 10 centuries ago.
Notable people
A notable person from Vanua Balavu is Laisenia Qarase, Fiji's Prime Minister from 2000 to 2006, who hails from the village of Mavana. Other prominent Vanua Balavu natives are the academic leader Esther Williams, from Levukana village, former Attorney-General Qoriniasi Bale, from Levukana village, and prominent former politician Filipe Bole, also from Mualevu village. Charles Walker, a former politician and Fiji diplomat hails from Sawana village.
Mere Samisoni, businesswoman and politician, comes from the village of Lomaloma, as does the former Lami Mayor Tevita Vuatalevu, who hails from the village of Mavana. Current Flying Fijians Josh Matavesi and Sam Matavesi who was born and raised in Cornwall, England is also a native of Vanua Balavu through his paternal line.
References
- Gillespie, Rosemary G.; D. A. Clague (2009). Encyclopedia of Islands. University of California Press. p. 299. ISBN 0520256492. Retrieved 18 March 2014.
- Fiji, By Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro, Published by Lonely Planet - Page 237
External links
- Archeological findings in Vanuabalavu.
- Reference to the Geography of Vanuabalavu
- Lomaloma Bio Fuel Project
- Moana's Guest House, Vanua Balavu