Vanua Balavu

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Lau Islands Northern Lau Islands Cicia Kaibu Kanacea Mago Malima Munia Island Naitaba Nayau Tuvuca Vanua Balavu Vatu Vara Wailagi Lala Yacata Southern Lau Islands (Yagasa Cluster) Fulaga Kabara Komo Lakeba Moce Moka Namuka-i-Lau Ogea Driki Ogea Levu Oneata Vanua Vatu Vuaqava Yagasa Levu Moala Islands Matuku Moala Totoya Outliers Bacon Island Cakau Lasemarawa Doi Late-i-Toga Late-i-Viti Ono-i-Lau Tuvana-i-Colo Tuvana-i-Ra Vatoa Yanuca

Islands of Fiji Principal islands Viti Levu Vanua Levu Significant outliers Conway Reef Kadavu Taveuni Rotuma Archipelagos Kadavu Group Lau Islands Lomaiviti Islands Mamanuca Islands Moala Islands Ringgold Isles Rotuma Group Vanua Levu Group Viti Levu Group Yasawa Islands

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.

Contents 1 Geography and infrastructure 2 Points of interest 3 Notable people 4 References 5 External links

[edit] Geography and infrastructure

Located at 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] 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.

[edit] References

• Fiji. , By Korina Miller, Robyn Jones, Leonardo Pinheiro, Published by Lonely Planet - Page 237

[edit] External links

• Archeological findings in Vanuabalavu.
• Vanua Balavu at WikiMapia
• Reference to the Geography of Vanuabalavu
• Lomaloma Bio Fuel Project
• Moana's Guest House, Vanua Balavu

Coordinates: 17°25′S, 178°92′W