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Gavutu Island
Gavutu IslandLocation in Solomon Islands
Coordinates: 009°07′00″S 160°11′20″E / 9.11667°S 160.18889°E / -9.11667; 160.18889
Country	Solomon Islands
Province	Central Province
Island group	Nggela Islands Group

Gavutu is a small islet in the Central Province of Solomon Islands, some 500 metres (550 yards) in length. It is one of the Nggela Islands.

History

The first recorded sighting by Europeans was by the Spanish expedition of Álvaro de Mendaña on 16 April 1568. More precisely the sighting was due to a local voyage done by a small boat, in the accounts the brigantine Santiago, commanded by maestre de campo Pedro Ortega Valencia and having Hernán Gallego as pilot.

By 1916, Levers Pacific Plantations Ltd had become the largest operator of coconut plantations in the Solomons. It established a trading station and cargo depot on Gavutu.

World War II

Along with the nearby island of Tanambogo, it played an important role in the Guadalcanal campaign during World War II. In 1942 the Japanese attempted to establish a seaplane base on the island. On 7–9 August 1942, in the Battle of Tulagi and Gavutu–Tanambogo, the 1st Marine Parachute Battalion and elements of the U.S. 2nd Marine Regiment assaulted and occupied the island.

References

1. Sharp, Andrew The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford, 1960, p. 45.
2. Brand, Donald D. The Pacific Basin: A History of its Geographical Explorations The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p. 133.
3. Lawrence, David Russell (October 2014). "Chapter 9 The plantation economy" (PDF). The Naturalist and his "Beautiful Islands": Charles Morris Woodford in the Western Pacific. ANU Press. p. 271. ISBN 9781925022032.
4. "Conquest of Tanambogo & Gavutu Islands". Retrieved 25 October 2012.
5. "Second Marine Division". Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 October 2012.

v t e Islands of Solomon Islands by province
Central	Nggela Islands Gavutu Tanambogo Tulagi Russell Islands Aeaun Mbanika Pavuvu Savo
Choiseul	Choiseul Cyprian Bridge Island Nuatambu Rob Roy Taro Wagina
Guadalcanal	Guadalcanal Korasahalu Marau Sound Marapa Nughu Tavanipupu Vulelua
Isabel	Arnarvon Furona Island Kerehikapa Mahige Maleivona Ramos San Jorge Santa Isabel Sikopo
Makira-Ulawa	Ali'ite Makira Malaulalo Malaupaina Pio Olu Malau Owaraha Owariki Ugi Ulawa
Malaita	Alite Anuta Paina Langa Langa Lagoon Laulasi Lau Lagoon Adagege Funaafou Sulufou Maana'omba Malaita Maramasike Mbasakana Ndai Ontong Java Roncador Reef Sikaiana Faore Matuavi Tehaolei
Rennell and Bellona	Bellona Indispensable Reefs North Reef Rennell
Temotu	Anuta Duff Islands Bass Islands Tahua Taumako Fatutaka Reef Islands Fenualoa Lomlom Makalom Matema Nalongo and Nupani Ngalo Ngandeli Ngatendo Ngawa Nibanga Nendi Nibanga Temau Nifiloli Nukapu Patteson Shoal Pigeon Pileni Santa Cruz Islands Banie Malo Nendö Teanu Temotu Noi Tinakula Utupua Vanikoro Tikopia
Western	Mborokua New Georgia Islands Akara Arundel Ghizo Ghoi Kennedy Kiambe Kingguru Kolombangara Liapari Logha Lola Lumbari Marovo Matikuri Mbava Mbulo Mondomondo Nakaza Naru New Georgia Nggatokae Nusatupe Olasana Ranongga Rendova Simbo Telina Tetepare Uepi Vangunu Vella Lavella Vonavona Shortland Islands Balalae Faisi Fauro Magusaiai Masamasa Ovau Pirumeri Shortland Treasury Islands Mono Stirling

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