VAVA'U GROUP

northernmost major island cluster of Tonga, in the South Pacific. With a total land area of 46 square miles (119 square km), the group comprises two chains, one coral and the other volcanic. To the east lie uplifted coral islands, including Vava'u Island, the largest (35 sq mi) of the group, rising to 670 ft (200 m). The smaller western volcanic chain is generally wooded and includes Late (6 sq mi), dormant since 1854 and rising to 1,700 ft, the group's highest point. Fonualei, an island 40 mi (64 km) northwest of Vava'u with an active volcano rising to 600 ft, was discovered in 1781 by the Spaniard Francisco Antonio Mourelle, who named it Amargura (Spanish for bitterness) because of his disappointment at being able to obtain neither food nor fresh water. Vava'u Island has a fine sheltered harbour and several unique coastal caves. It is the site of Neiafu, the group's administrative headquarters. Its fertile soil yields corn (maize), breadfruit, yams, and copra, the last for export. An airfield at Lupepau'u serves the island. Pop. (1986 prelim.) 15,170.