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
Santa Isabel Island (also known as Isabel, Ysabel and Mahaga) is the longest in Solomon Islands, the third largest in terms of surface area, and the largest in the group of islands in Isabel Province.
Location and geographic data
Choiseul lies t ...
. The capital of the province is
Buala on Santa Isabel Island, which has scheduled airline services to
Honiara on
Solomon Airlines
Solomon Airlines is the national airline of Solomon Islands, based in Honiara.
History
Solomon Airlines was established in 1962 as a charter airline by Laurie Crowley. Crowley had a charter operation in Papua New Guinea with occasional charte ...
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
Copra (from ) is the dried, white flesh of the coconut from which coconut oil is extracted. Traditionally, the coconuts are sun-dried, especially for export, before the oil, also known as copra oil, is pressed out. The oil extracted from co ...
, 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
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...
. 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 the Solomon Islands. The first European contact to the Solomon Islands was made by Spanish navigator
Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira
Álvaro de Mendaña y Neira (or Neyra) (1 October 1542 – 18 October 1595) was a Spanish navigator and discoverer, best known for two of the earliest recorded expeditions across the Pacific in 1567 and 1595. His voyages led to the discovery of ...
in 1568, who gave them their name. The highest point is Mount Kubonitu, also known as Mount Sasari at .
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
*
San Jorge
*
Santa Isabel
*
Sikopo
*
Mahige
* Barora Fa'a
* Barora Ite
Papatura F'a
Papatura Ite
People
Musicians
* Young Davie
Bands
Sisirikiti
Saba
Kekene
Sisiva
Siuli
Vahi Kokoi
Tripple L
Dodoili
Desert Sound
Jana
Sunset Aedo
Sivoli
D square
Saroko
Monast
Salu Company
Glogu
Flalo
Hard Start
Ghoffa
Sugili & Faghalo sound
Ramposa
References
External links
Provincial Profile of Isabel by constituency, People First Network
Community Media programme in Isabel Province, 2009*
Multimedia and social network for Isabel media programme*
Isabel Youth Learning4Peace
{{Authority control
Provinces of the Solomon Islands
States and territories established in 1981