BANKS ISLANDS

volcanic group in Vanuatu, southwestern Pacific Ocean. They include the islands of Vanua Lava, Santa Maria (Gaua), Mota, and Mota Lava (Saddle) and numerous islets. First explored in 1793 by Captain William Bligh of the British navy and named by him after his patron, the naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, the group enjoys sufficient rainfall and is covered by forest. The northernmost islet, Urparapara, is a volcanic cone that has been breached by the sea, thus creating Dives Bay in its east coast. Several of the islands have active volcanoes. The islands' Polynesian inhabitants cultivate copra and coffee for export. Pop. (1979) 4,614.