Makira-Ulawa Province
Encyclopedia
Makira-Ulawa Province is one of the provinces
of the Solomon Islands
. The main part of the province is Makira
Island. It has a population of 31,006 (1999). The capital is Kirakira
.
Makira-Ulawa Province includes Makira
(San Cristobal), Ulawa, Uki Ni Masi
, Owaraha
(Santa Ana), Owariki
(Santa Catalina), Pio
and others.
Makira-Ulawa people are mostly Melanesian and their traditional dances and rituals are still strongly kept, especially in the islands of Santa Ana (Owaraha), Santa Catalina (Owariki), Uki-ni-masi and Ulawa.
Makira Island, is 3090 km²: 139 km long by 40 km wide at around the centre of the island. Mountains run like a spine down the island's center: the highest point reaches 1040 m, then falls steeply to the sea along its southern shore. Many rivers penetrate the island in roughly parallel lines every two to five kilometers. Makira has more inland swamps--and saltwater crocodiles--than any other island in the Solomon Islands. Its coast is the only part of the Solomons where the rare olive, or Pacific Ridley, turtle is known to visit and nest.
Because Makira Island was isolated for long stretches of time during periods of high sea level, a wide variety of unique plants and animals evolved. For example, 12 of its 70 resident species of birds are endemic, as are two tree species, both figs (Ficus cristobalensis and Ficus illiberalis). This uniqueness highlights the importance of preserving Makira's forest habitat.
Makira is also among the most important islands in the country for birds. There are some bird watching spots on the island. At the village of Hauta, situated hundreds of metres above sea level, at the Bauro inland region an established conservation area exists. However, one requires permission to visit – do not go without permission as you will be turned away. Permission can be sought at contacts at the Provincial office at Kirakira. The Police at Kirakira are also very helpful to such causes especially around the province.
Makira has four main language groups. The ecotour involves people from the coast up to the highlands of central Makira, all of whom are Bauro speakers. The Bauro speakers have been considered to be the most isolated and conservative of the Makira groups.
Provinces of the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is currently divided into 9 provinces. The national capital, Honiara, on the island of Guadalcanal, is separately governed as Capital Territory.-History:...
of the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. The main part of the province is Makira
Makira
The island of Makira 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....
Island. It has a population of 31,006 (1999). The capital is Kirakira
Kirakira
Kirakira the provincial capital of the Makira-Ulawa Province in the Solomon Islands. Kirakira is located on the north coast of Makira , the largest island of the province. It has roads running east to the Warihito River and west to Maro'u Bay.The Kirakira Airport is served by Solomon Airlines,...
.
Makira-Ulawa Province includes Makira
Makira
The island of Makira 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....
(San Cristobal), Ulawa, Uki Ni Masi
Uki Ni Masi
Uki Ni Masi is an island that is part of the Solomon Islands. It is 150 km² in size and the highest hills are up to 200 m high.The only mammals that live there were introduced by man like the Polynesian rat and bats Dobsonia inermis, Pteropus cognatus, Emballonura nigrescens and Aselliscus...
, Owaraha
Owaraha
Owaraha or Owa Raha is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Makira-Ulawa Province.-Description:This relatively small coral island is 5,6 km long and 4, 5 km wide. It is located at the eastern end of Makira , separated from it by a 7,5 km wide strait, and just north of smaller Owariki...
(Santa Ana), Owariki
Owariki
Owariki or Owa Riki is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Makira-Ulawa Province.-Description:...
(Santa Catalina), Pio
Pio Island
Pio Island is an island in the Solomon Islands province of Makira-Ulawa. It is situated 4 km north-west of Ugi Island. It is 2.7 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island has no villages. Coral reef surrounds the island, which is largest in the west and south of the island.-See also:*Oceania*Pacific...
and others.
Makira-Ulawa people are mostly Melanesian and their traditional dances and rituals are still strongly kept, especially in the islands of Santa Ana (Owaraha), Santa Catalina (Owariki), Uki-ni-masi and Ulawa.
Makira Island, is 3090 km²: 139 km long by 40 km wide at around the centre of the island. Mountains run like a spine down the island's center: the highest point reaches 1040 m, then falls steeply to the sea along its southern shore. Many rivers penetrate the island in roughly parallel lines every two to five kilometers. Makira has more inland swamps--and saltwater crocodiles--than any other island in the Solomon Islands. Its coast is the only part of the Solomons where the rare olive, or Pacific Ridley, turtle is known to visit and nest.
Because Makira Island was isolated for long stretches of time during periods of high sea level, a wide variety of unique plants and animals evolved. For example, 12 of its 70 resident species of birds are endemic, as are two tree species, both figs (Ficus cristobalensis and Ficus illiberalis). This uniqueness highlights the importance of preserving Makira's forest habitat.
Makira is also among the most important islands in the country for birds. There are some bird watching spots on the island. At the village of Hauta, situated hundreds of metres above sea level, at the Bauro inland region an established conservation area exists. However, one requires permission to visit – do not go without permission as you will be turned away. Permission can be sought at contacts at the Provincial office at Kirakira. The Police at Kirakira are also very helpful to such causes especially around the province.
Makira has four main language groups. The ecotour involves people from the coast up to the highlands of central Makira, all of whom are Bauro speakers. The Bauro speakers have been considered to be the most isolated and conservative of the Makira groups.
Islands
- Ali'iteAli'iteAli'ite is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is one of the Olu Malau Islands located in Makira-Ulawa Province....
- MakiraMakiraThe island of Makira 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....
(San Cristobal) - MalaulaloMalaulaloMalaulalo is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is one of the Olu Malau Islands located in Makira-Ulawa Province....
- MalaupainaMalaupainaMalaupaina is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is one of the Olu Malau Islands located in Makira-Ulawa Province....
- OwarahaOwarahaOwaraha or Owa Raha is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Makira-Ulawa Province.-Description:This relatively small coral island is 5,6 km long and 4, 5 km wide. It is located at the eastern end of Makira , separated from it by a 7,5 km wide strait, and just north of smaller Owariki...
(Santa Ana) - OwarikiOwarikiOwariki or Owa Riki is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Makira-Ulawa Province.-Description:...
(Santa Catalina) - PioPio IslandPio Island is an island in the Solomon Islands province of Makira-Ulawa. It is situated 4 km north-west of Ugi Island. It is 2.7 km long and 1.5 km wide. The island has no villages. Coral reef surrounds the island, which is largest in the west and south of the island.-See also:*Oceania*Pacific...
- UgiUgi IslandUgi Island is an island in the Solomon Islands; it is located in Makira-Ulawa Province....
- UlawaUlawa IslandUlawa Island is an island in the Solomon Islands. It is located near Malaita Island and belongs to Makira Ulawa Province.The island has an area of 65.92 km2 and has a population of 4429. It was sighted by Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568....