Solomon Islands
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Vanikoro Island, Solomon Islands
Temotu Province
Vanikoro Island is situated SE of Utupua Island. The island was first settled around 200 AD. In 18th century Tikopians landed on Tevai Island but eventually left after many years when the island was reclaimed by Melanesians from Banie Island.
The island receives over 5000 mm of rainfall yearly. The island is an ancient volcano with old lava flows still visible. The summit elevation is 923 m (Banie). The island covers an area of 190 sq km, and had a population of 884 at last census in 1999.
The French explorer La Perouse, was wrecked on Vanikoro in 1788. The ship Boussole was destroyed on a reef along with most of the crew. The second ship Astrolabe was also wrecked, but survivors salvaged enough to build a small ship and sailed away. Two survivors remained on the island into the early 1800's.
In WWII seaplanes were based in Dillon's passage on the eastern side of the island. Vanikoro once had the largest amount of kauri trees in the Solomons, but they have mostly been logged. Most of the main island is heavily forested except for a region in the NW which is 4.5 km long and 1.3 km wide.
There are five islands which make up Vanikoro: Banie (the main island), Tevai, Manieve, Nomianu, and Nanuga.
The Solomon Islands Government announced in April 2008 plans to build an airstrip on Vanikoro Island. This will be the second airstrip in Temotu Province.
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