MALAKULA

also spelled Malekula, French Mallicolo, second largest island (781 square miles [2,023 square km]) of Vanuatu, in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Volcanic in origin, it is 55 miles (90 km) long by 23 miles (37 km) wide and lies 20 miles (32 km) south of Espiritu Santo, across the Malo (Bougainville) Strait. Its central mountain range rises to Mount Penot, 2,884 feet (879 m). Harbours on the fertile eastern coast include Port Stanley, Bushman's Bay (former British administrative headquarters), and Port Sandwich (site of the former French headquarters at Lamap). Copra and coffee are exported, and there are a hospital and several airstrips. Pop. (1987 est.) Malakula and small adjacent islands, 18,850.