or Santa Ysabel
Island (pop., 1997: 22,653), central Solomon Islands , South Pacific Ocean.
Located 50 mi (80 km) northwest of Guadalcanal , Santa Isabel is about 130 mi (209 km) long and 20 mi (32 km) wide at its widest point. Mount Marescot, rising 4,000 ft (1,219 m), is the highest peak. The island was under German control from 1886 to 1899; Rekata Bay on the northwestern coast was a Japanese base during World War II. Coconut plantations and timber development are important to the economy.