8°00′S 159°30′E / 8.000°S 159.500°E / -8.000; 159.500
Province in Buala, Solomon Islands| Isabel Province Isabel Provins (Pijin) | |
|---|---|
| Province | |
 Flag | |
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| Coordinates: 8°0′S 159°30′E / 8.000°S 159.500°E / -8.000; 159.500 | |
| Country |  Solomon Islands |
| Capital | Buala |
| Government | |
| • Premier | Hon. Lawrence Hayward |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4,136 km (1,597 sq mi) |
| Population | |
| • Total | 35,257 |
| • Density | 4.9/km (13/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+11 (+11) |
Isabel Province (also spelled Ysabel) is one of the provinces of Solomon Islands. The province had a population of around 35,257 as of 2020, mostly concentrated on the main island, Santa Isabel Island. The capital of the province is Buala on Santa Isabel Island, which has scheduled airline services to Honiara on Solomon Airlines from Fera Airport, on Fera Island, a 15-minute boat ride from Buala.
The province has an economy dominated by subsistence agriculture with occasional plantations for cash crops such as copra, and by logging activities. The province is seldom visited by tourists due to poor infrastructure, lack of roads, hotels, modern medical care, and endemic malaria. Most areas have a "Rest House", a house where guests can seek accommodation for the night or two, but many residents are willing to take in visitors for the night.
Santa Isabel is the longest Island in Solomon Islands. The first European contact to the Solomon Islands was made by Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568, who gave them their name because he left Spain on Santa Isabella's day. The highest point is Mount Kubonitu, also known as Mount Sasari at 1,120 metres (3,670 ft).
Administrative divisions
Isabel Province is sub-divided into the following wards:
Isabel Province (26,158)
- Kia (1,929)
- Baolo (1,148)
- Kokota (1,177)
- Hovikoilo (1,988)
- Buala (2,813)
- Tirotongana (689)
- Koviloko (1,234)
- Kmaga (1,862)
- Kaloka (962)
- Tatamba (1,404)
- Sigana (2,394)
- Japuana (2,163)
- Kolomola (949)
- Kolotubi (1,671)
- Susubona (1,907)
- Samasodu (1,868)
Islands
- Arnarvon
- Kerehikapa
- Fera Island
- Maleivona
- Onogou Island
- Ramos
- San Jorge
- Santa Isabel
- Sikopo
- Mahige
- Barora Fa'a
- Barora Ite
- Papatura F'a
- Papatura Ite
Notable people
- Jeremiah Manele – Prime Minister since 2024, born in Santa Isabel
References
- "About Isabel Province, Solomon Islands | Solomon Airlines". www.flysolomons.com. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
- Moore, Clive. "Isabel Island - Place - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978". Solomon Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
External links
- Provincial Profile of Isabel by constituency, People First Network
- Community Media programme in Isabel Province, 2009
- Isabel photo gallery from Ministry of Commerce and Tourism
- Guguha distance learning centre, Isabel
| Provinces of the Solomon Islands | ||
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