Vanua Balavu

Vanua Balavu

Vanua Balavu (pronounced|βanua mbalaβu) is the second largest island in Fiji's Lau archipelago (not counting the islands of the Moala Group), and the main island of the Northern Lau Group.

Geography and infrastructure

Located at coord|17.25|S|178.92|W|, this coral and volcanic island has a land area of 53 square kilometers. Its maximum elevation is 283 meters. 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 Bay. The main village on the island is Lomaloma.

Vanua Balavu boasts of the Yanuyanu Island Resort, an airstrip, a copra port, and a small hospital. There is also the Lomaloma Copra Biofuel Project which provides power to three villages, Naqara, Sawana and Lomaloma.

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

The best-known native of Vanua Balavu is Laisenia Qarase, Fiji's Prime Minister since 2000, 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 Business woman and politician comes from the Village of Lomaloma also including the current Lami Mayor Tevita Vuatalevu who hails from the village of Mavana.

References

* [http://books.google.com.fj/books?vid=ISBN1740591348&id=IMVBrlFiD2EC&pg=RA6-PA237&lpg=RA6-PA237&dq=Books+on+the+Lau+Islands&sig=tb6CTQrOuJaGPZP1fmCbXc3fUkk Fiji] . , By Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro, Published by Lonely Planet - Page 237

External links

* [http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_go1972/is_200404/ai_n9561964 Archeological] findings in Vanuabalavu.
* Reference to the [http://palaeoworks.anu.edu.au/pubs/Nunnetal02.pdf Geography of Vanuabalavu]
* [http://www.fdoe.gov.fj/Old_copra_biofuel_project.htm Lomaloma Bio Fuel Project]
* [http://www.moanasguesthouses.com Moana's Guest House, Vanua Balavu]


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