Isabel Province (also spelled Ysabel) is one of the provinces of Solomon Islands. The province had a population of around 31,420 , mostly concentrated on the main island, Santa Isabel Island. 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.
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 .
Administrative divisions 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):
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
Arnarvon Kerehikapa Fera Island Maleivona Onogou Island Ramos San Jorge Santa Isabel Sikopo Mahige Barora Fa'a Barora Ite Papatura F'a Papatura Ite
Notable people Jeremiah Manele – Prime Minister in 2024-2026, born in Santa Isabel
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 Isabel photo gallery from Ministry of Commerce and Tourism People First network, Isabel Province