Makira

For other uses, see Makira (disambiguation).
Makira

Makira and nearby islands

Location of Makira in Solomon Islands
Geography
Location Solomon Islands
Coordinates 10°33′04″S 161°49′41″E / 10.55111°S 161.82806°ECoordinates: 10°33′04″S 161°49′41″E / 10.55111°S 161.82806°E
Area 3,190 km2 (1,230 sq mi)
Country
Solomon Islands
Province Makira-Ulawa Province
Largest settlement Kirakira
Demographics
Population ~10,000 (as of 1999)

The island of Makira (formerly San Cristóbal) is the largest island of Makira-Ulawa Province in the Solomon Islands. The island is located east of Guadalcanal and south of Malaita. The largest and capital city is Kirakira.

The first recorded sighting by Europeans of Makira was by the Spanish expedition of Álvaro de Mendaña in June 1568. More precisely the sighting and also landing in Makira was due to a local voyage that set out from Guadalcanal in a small boat, in the accounts the brigantine Santiago, commanded by Álferez Hernando Énriquez and having Hernán Gallego as pilot. They charted it as San Cristóbal.[1][2]

Pole for a ceremonial house (detail). Wood, Magura village (Makira, Solomon Islands), 17th century
Topographical map of Makira

References

  1. ↑ Sharp, Andrew The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford, 1960, pp.46,47.
  2. ↑ Brand, Donald D. The Pacific Basin: A History of its Geographical Explorations The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p.133.