Wikipedia

Isabel Province

8°00′S 159°30′E / 8.000°S 159.500°E / -8.000; 159.500

Isabel Province
Isabel Provins (Pijin)
Province
Flag of Isabel Province
Flag
Coordinates: 8°0′S 159°30′E / 8.000°S 159.500°E / -8.000; 159.500
Country Solomon Islands
CapitalBuala
Government
[1]
 • PremierHon. Lawrence Hayward
Area
 • Total
4,136 km2 (1,597 sq mi)
Population
 (2019 census)[2]
 • Total
31,420
 • Density7.597/km2 (19.68/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+11 (+11)
ISO 3166 codeSB-IS

Isabel Province (also spelled Ysabel) is one of the provinces of Solomon Islands.[3] The province had a population of around 31,420 as of 2019, mostly concentrated on the main island, Santa Isabel Island.[2] 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.[4]

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

edit

Isabel Province is sub-divided into the following constituencies (or electoral districts), which are further sub-divided into wards (with populations at the 2009 and 2019 Censuses respectively):[5]

Name Population (2009 census) Population (2019 census)
Total Male Female Total Male Female
13. – Hograno/Kia/Havulei 9,472 4,893 4,579 11,688 6,313 5,375
13.01. Kia 1,929 1,054 875 1,909 1,008 901
13.02. Baolo/Havulei 1,148 599 549 1,808 1,020 788
13.13. Kolomola 949 460 489 1,164 583 581
13.14. Kolotubi 1,671 811 860 1,980 1,018 962
13.15. Susubona 1,907 954 953 2,342 1,235 1,107
13.16. Samasodu/Katova 1,868 1,015 853 2,485 1,449 1,036
14. – Maringe/Kokota 9,763 4,995 4,768 11,557 6,161 5,396
14.03. Kokota 1,177 692 485 1,671 1,016 655
14.04. Hovikoilo 1,988 1,016 972 2,462 1,347 1,115
14.05. Buala 2,813 1,456 1,357 3,369 1,748 1,621
14.06. Tirotongana 683 342 341 693 357 336
14.07. Koviloko 1,240 579 661 1,144 558 586
14.08. Kmaga 1,862 910 952 2,218 1,135 1,083
15. – Gao/Bugotu 6,923 3,440 3,483 8,175 4,153 4,022
15.09. Kaloka 959 466 493 1,238 612 626
15.10. Tatamba 1,404 717 687 1,649 865 784
15.11. Sigana 2,397 1,195 1,202 2,691 1,317 1,374
15.12. Japuana 2,163 1,062 1,101 2,597 1,359 1,238
Total 26,158 13,328 12,830 31,420 16,627 14,793

Islands

edit

Notable people

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ Gagahe, Ned (14 May 2024). "Premier Lawrence Hayward unveils ministerial lineup for Isabel Province". The Island Sun. Honiara. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  2. 1 2 "2019 Population and Housing Census National Report" (PDF). Solomon Islands National Statistics Office. 30 October 2023. p. xxiii. Archived from the original on 18 July 2025. Retrieved 11 May 2026.
  3. ↑ "About Isabel Province, Solomon Islands | Solomon Airlines". www.flysolomons.com. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  4. ↑ Moore, Clive. "Isabel Island - Place - Solomon Islands Encyclopaedia, 1893-1978". Solomon Encyclopaedia. Retrieved 12 June 2019.
  5. ↑ "2009 Census Bulletin". statistics.gov.sb. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
  6. ↑ "Solomon Islands PM Jeremiah Manele ousted after just over two years in power". RNZ. 2026-05-07. Retrieved 2026-05-18.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Isabel_Province&oldid=1354860825"