Makira Island is 3090km²: 139km long by 40km wide at around the centre of the island. Mountains run like a spine down the island's centre: 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 kilometres. 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.[3]
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 species of trees, both figs (Ficus cristobalensis and Ficus illiberalis). This uniqueness highlights the importance of preserving Makira's foresthabitat.
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 a permission to visit, which can be acquired from the Provincial Office at Kirakira.
Populationedit
In 2009, the total population was estimated to be 40,419. 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.
On Makira, five languages are spoken: Arosi, Bauro, Fagani, Kahua, and Owa. The Bauro speakers have been considered to be the most isolated and conservative of the Makira groups. The people of Ulawa and Ugi Island speak Sa'a.[4]
Administrative divisionsedit
Makira-Ulawa Province is sub-divided into the following wards:
makira, ulawa, province, nine, provinces, solomon, islands, provinceflagcoordinates, 867country, solomon, islandscapitalkirakiragovernment, premierhon, julian, maka, aarea, total3, population, 2009, total40, density12, time, zoneutc, contents, geography, popul. Makira Ulawa Province is one of the nine provinces of Solomon Islands 1 Makira Ulawa ProvinceProvinceFlagCoordinates 10 26 S 161 52 E 10 433 S 161 867 E 10 433 161 867Country Solomon IslandsCapitalKirakiraGovernment PremierHon Julian Maka aArea Total3 188 km2 1 231 sq mi Population 2009 Total40 419 Density12 7 km2 33 sq mi Time zoneUTC 11 11 Contents 1 Geography 2 Population 3 Administrative divisions 4 Islands 5 ReferencesGeography editThe main part of the province is Makira Island 2 It has a population of 40 419 2009 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 Island is 3090km 139km long by 40km wide at around the centre of the island Mountains run like a spine down the island s centre 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 kilometres 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 3 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 species of trees 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 a permission to visit which can be acquired from the Provincial Office at Kirakira Population editIn 2009 the total population was estimated to be 40 419 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 On Makira five languages are spoken Arosi Bauro Fagani Kahua and Owa The Bauro speakers have been considered to be the most isolated and conservative of the Makira groups The people of Ulawa and Ugi Island speak Sa a 4 Administrative divisions editMakira Ulawa Province is sub divided into the following wards Makira Ulawa Province 40 419 North Ulawa 1 169 South Ulawa 1 294 West Ulawa 860 Ugi and Pio 1 212 Arosi South 3 009 Arosi West 2 009 Arosi North 2 344 Arosi East 2 054 Bauro West 3 925 Bauro Central 4 562 Bauro East 1 625 Wainoni West 2 131 Wainoni East 2 488 Star Harbour North 3 262 Santa Ana 1 547 Santa Catalina 811 Star Harbour South 1 138 Rawo 677 Weather Cast 1 658 Haununu 2 644 Islands editAli ite Makira San Cristobal Malaulalo Malaupaina Owaraha Santa Ana Owariki Santa Catalina Pio Ugi UlawaReferences edit Makira Ulawa Province sb geoview info Retrieved 13 June 2019 GeoNames org www geonames org Retrieved 13 June 2019 Pacific Wrecks pacificwrecks com Retrieved 13 June 2019 ethnologue com 10 25 59 S 161 52 01 E 10 433 S 161 867 E 10 433 161 867 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Makira Ulawa Province amp oldid 1192126569, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
