OUVEA ISLAND

also called Uva, or Uea, Island, French le Ouva, or Uvea, or Uea, northernmost of the Loyalty Islands, an island group within the French overseas territory of New Caledonia, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Ouva is a crescent-shaped atoll, 30 miles (50 km) long and 4.5 miles (7 km) wide, with a total area of 51 square miles (132 square km). The most fertile of the group, it is wooded and exports copra. Faiau (Fayaou), on the southeast coast, is the chief village and administrative centre. Several tourist facilities lie on the 20-mile (32-kilometre) beach that borders the large lagoon. Both a Samoan and a Vanuatan language are used. Pop. (1989 prelim.) 3,540.