Ontong Java

Ontong Java Atoll is one of the largest atolls on earth. It is sometimes referred to as Lord Howe Atoll which is not to be confused with Lord Howe Island east of Australia. Other alternative names of this atoll are Luangiua and Leuangiua.

Administratively Ontong Java belongs to the Solomon Islands. As an outlying part of Malaita Province, it forms the northernmost tract of land of this state, over 250 km north of Santa Isabel Island. The closest land, however, is Nukumanu Atoll, which lies only 38 km due north of Ontong Java’s northern tip and which is under the administration of Papua New Guinea.

Ontong Java is roughly boot-shaped. The entire size of the atoll is 1400 km², but there are only 12 km² of land, spread out over 122 small islands. The islands are mostly low-lying coral formations, the highest elevation being 13 metres. Only two of the islands are permanently inhabited.

Approximately 2000 people live on the atoll; with 1200 on the island of Luaniua in the eastern end and 800 on Pelau in the northeast. Luaniua has 13 chiefs, while Pelau has only one.

Ontong Java

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