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Rendova

NASA image of Rendova
Geography
Location	South Pacific
Coordinates	8°32′00″S 157°20′00″E / 8.5333333°S 157.3333333°E / -8.5333333; 157.3333333
Archipelago	New Georgia Islands
Area	411.3 km (158.8 sq mi)
Length	40 km (25 mi)
Highest elevation	1,050 m (3440 ft)
Administration
Solomon Islands
Province	Western Province
Demographics
Population	3,679 (1999 estimate)

Rendova is an island in Western Province, in the independent nation of Solomon Islands, in the South Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea.

Geography

Rendova Island is a roughly rectangular island, located in the South Pacific in the New Georgia Islands. The length of the island is about 40 kilometers. To the north is the island of New Georgia and to the east is the island of Vangunu. Rendova is a volcanic island, with a central stratovolcano cone, with a height of 1,050 metres (3,440 ft) which last erupted in the Pleistocene; however, the island is subject to frequent earthquakes. The island is surrounded in some places by a coral reef. The climate on Rendova is wet and tropical, and the island is subject to frequent cyclones.

Flora and fauna

The black-sand beaches along the southwest coast of Rendova are important nesting grounds for the critically endangered leatherback turtle. Community-based conservation organisation the Tetepare Descendants' Association runs a leatherback conservation program in the villages of Baniata, Havilla and Retavo on this coastline.

Population

In 1999, the population of Rendova was estimated at 3,679 people. There are two indigenous languages spoken on Rendova Island: the Austronesian language Ughele in the north, and the Papuan language Touo in the south.

History

On March 15, 1893, Rendova was declared part of the British Solomon Islands protectorate. The island was occupied by the Empire of Japan in the early stages of World War II. On June 30, 1943, Allied forces carried out the landings on Rendova which quickly overcame the 300-man Japanese garrison as part of a strategy to ultimately recapture Munda and its airfield on the island of New Georgia. The island was subsequently used as a base by the United States Navy for PT boat operations.

Solomon Islanders Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana paddled their dugout canoe 35 miles (60 km) to reach the base and deliver a message inscribed on a coconut from then-Lieutenant (junior grade) John F. Kennedy after his PT boat, PT 109, was run down by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri and he and his crew were stranded on one of the local islands.

Since 1978, the island has been part of the independent state of the Solomon Islands

In popular culture

Rendova is the setting for the 2002 humorous book Solomon Time by Will Randall, about a British school teacher who moves to a village on Rendova to help organise a community project.

References

1. ^ "Research and Monitoring". Tetepare Descendants' Association. Retrieved 29 May 2015.
2. American Warriors:Five Presidents in the Pacific Theater of World War II, Burd Street Press, ISBN 1-57249-260-0, 2003 Archived 2012-07-07 at the Wayback Machine
3. PT 109, Donovan, R.J., McGraw Hill, c. 1961, 2001, ISBN 0-07-137643-7

External links

• http://www.tetepare.org/
• Global Volcanism Project
• Harold Scheffler Collection from the Harold Scheffler Papers. MSS 481. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego.

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

• Islands of the Solomon Islands
• Western Province (Solomon Islands)