Ontong Java Atoll
Ontong Java Atoll or Luangiua is the northernmost island group of the Solomon Islands, and one of the most remote part of the Solomon Islands Malaita Province. In some reports, it is known as the Lord Howe Atoll. This name must not lead to confusion with the same Lord Howe islands east of the Australian mainland but.
Geography
The atoll covers an area of 1400 km ². These, however, are only 12 km ² of coral reefs grown mainland. This consists of two larger main islands called Luaniua and Pelau and 120 small and micro Motus. These are all very flat, the highest point in Ontong Java is 13 meters.
The nearest neighbor island is 38 km further north atoll Nukumanu that although this atoll is already one of Papua New Guinea cultural ties with Ontong Java.
75 kilometers further south atoll -like Roncador Reef, which has no islands, is regarded by the chiefs of Ontong Java as property.
Population
The atoll has approximately 1,800 residents. About 1,300 of them live on Luaniua, and 400 on Pelau. They are predominantly Polynesian ancestry and speak one belonging to the Samoan branch of the Polynesian languages Polynesian dialect called " Luangiua ". Therefore Ontong Java is one of the out-of- Polynesian triangle of Polynesia enclaves.
History
The islands were settled about 2000 years ago by Polynesian navigators. More than 1700 years, these natives of strangers lived unmolested in accordance with their Polynesian customs and traditions. Was first sighted by a European, the atoll in 1643 by Abel Tasman, who gave him the name of Ontong Java. But it was only in 1791 landed a first Europeans on the islands. There was an Englishman named John Hunter, who gave them the name " Lord Howe Atoll ". In 1893 the islands were annexed by Germany and ceded to Great Britain from this in 1899.
Economy
Still lead the Polynesian speaking inhabitants a simple existence: They feed on fish, a little agriculture and the cultivation of copra. You run a small trade with seafood and shellfish, which are mostly exported to Hong Kong to supplement their income. The islands are touristy yet little developed. They are known for the variety of sea birds, which are located on them.