LORD HOWE ISLAND

island dependency of New South Wales, Australia. It is situated in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, 436 miles (702 km) northeast of Sydney. Volcanic in origin, it has an area of 7 square miles (17 square km). The island is well wooded but has little arable land. National parks cover 70 percent of the island, which harbours rare vegetation and bird life. Discovered in 1788 and named after Admiral Lord Howe by Lieutenant Henry Lidgbird Ball of the British navy, it was first settled in 1834 and became a supply station for whalers. The island's main income is derived from tourists, who come by air. Pop. (1991 prelim.) 371.