Native name: Nggela Sule and Nggela Pile | |
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![]() The Nggela Islands from the air | |
![]() Map of the Nggela islands group | |
Geography | |
Location | South Pacific Ocean |
Coordinates | 9°00′S 160°10′E / 9.000°S 160.167°E |
Archipelago | Solomon Islands (archipelago) |
Total islands | 4 |
Major islands | 2 |
Administration | |
Province | Central Province |
The Nggela Islands or Ngella Islands,[1] previously known as the Florida Islands, are a small island group in the Central Province of Solomon Islands,[2] a sovereign state, since 1978, in the southwest Pacific Ocean. The name Florida Islands fell into disuse following Solomon Islands' independence in 1978.[2][3]
The group is composed of four larger islands and about 50 smaller ones, many with white coral beaches. The four main islands are, Nggela Sule with Nggela Pile to its southeast, separated by the narrow Mboli Passage, Olevugha (also known as Mobokonimbeti, and previously Sandfly Is.) and Vatilau (also known as Buenavista) to the northwest. Smaller islands include: Anuha, (70 ha (170 acres)), south of Nggela Sule, Tulagi just off the southwest coast of Nggela Sule, now the capital of Central Province and previously the British administrative centre for the Solomons, Gavutu and Tanambogo.[2][4][5][6]
The Central Islands – made up of the Savo, Ngella (Florida) and Russell Islands