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Owariki
Santa Catalina

Landsat picture of the island.
Owariki (Santa Catalina) is located off the eastern end of Makira Island
OwarikiLocation in Solomon Islands
Geography
Location	South Pacific Ocean
Coordinates	10°53′31″S 162°26′46″E / 10.892°S 162.446°E / -10.892; 162.446
Archipelago	Solomon Islands (archipelago)
Area	5.62 km (2.17 sq mi)
Highest elevation	97 m (318 ft)
Administration
Solomon Islands
Province	Makira-Ulawa Province
Demographics
Population	811 (2009)

Owariki or Owa rigi (formerly Santa Catalina) is an island in Makira-Ulawa Province, Solomon Islands.

Description

This small coral island is 2.8 km long and 2 km wide. It is located off the eastern end of Makira (San Cristobal) Island, separated from it by a 7.5 km wide strait, and just south of slightly larger Owaraha (Santa Ana) Island. The sound between Owaraha and Owariki is only 2.5 km wide.

The inhabitants of Owariki speak the Owa language. They share the same culture with the people on Owaraha and on the eastern end of Makira.

History

First recorded sighting by Europeans was by the Spanish expedition of Álvaro de Mendaña on 4 July 1568. More precisely the sighting and also landing in Owariki was due to a local voyage done by a small boat, in the accounts the brigantine Santiago, commanded by Francisco Muñoz Rico and having Hernán Gallego as pilot. They charted it as Santa Catalina.

Owariki was visited, along with neighboring Owaraha, by the Austrian anthropologist and photographer Hugo Bernatzik in 1932. Bernatzik carefully documented daily life among the island people and published an ethnography a few years later.

References

1. Sharp, Andrew The discovery of the Pacific Islands Oxford 1960 p.47.
2. Brand, Donald D. The Pacific Basin A History of its Geographical Explorations The American Geographical Society, New York, 1967, p.133.
3. Hugo Bernatzik, Owa Raha. Büchergilde Gutenberg, Vienna / Zürich / Prague, 1936.

External links

• Media related to Owariki at Wikimedia Commons

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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