Santa Maria
Welcome to Santa Maria, a Tropical island in the Coral Sea, part of the majestic Pacific Ocean. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what makes Santa Maria unique – from its geography and climate to its population, infrastructure, and beyond. Dive into the details:
- Geography and Size: Explore the island’s size and location.
- Climate and Weather: Weather patterns and temperature.
- Topography and Nature: Uncover the natural wonders of the island.
- Infrastructure and Travelling: Insights on reaching, staying, and making the most of your visit.
- News and Headlines: Latest News.
Geography and size of Santa Maria
Size: 309.3 km²
Coastline: 84.6 km
Ocean: Pacific Ocean
Sea: Coral Sea
Continent: Oceania
Santa Maria is a Large Island spanning 309 km² with a coastline of 85 km.
Archipel: Melanesia – A subregion of Oceania in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, including countries like Fiji, Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu, known for their diverse cultures and languages.
Tectonic Plate: New Hebrides – A small plate in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, responsible for the New Hebrides Trench and known for its complex interaction with the Australian Plate.
The geographic heart of the island is pinpointed at these coordinates:
Latitude: -14.28621292 / Longitude: 167.51197726
Climate and weather of Santa Maria
Climate Zone: Tropical
Climate Details: Tropical Rainforest Climate
Temperature: Hot
Climate Characteristics: This climate is typified by heavy rainfall throughout the year, high humidity, and consistently high temperatures, leading to lush rainforests and rich biodiversity. Seasonal temperature variations are minimal.
Topography and nature of Santa Maria
Timezone: UTC+11:00
Timezone places: Pacific/Guadalcanal
Max. Elevation: 618 m
Mean Elevation: 301 m
Vegetation: Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
Tree Coverage: 87%
The mean elevation is 301 m. The highest elevation on the island reaches approximately 618 meters above sea level. The island is characterized by Mountains: High, steeply elevated landforms. Characterized by both a high maximum elevation (over 500 meters) and a high mean elevation, creating rugged, mountainous terrains on islands.
Dominating Vegetation: Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
Characterized by dense, lush canopies of broadleaf trees that retain their leaves year-round. These forests are typically found in tropical and subtropical regions and are known for their high biodiversity. Santa Maria has a tree cover of 87 %.
Vegetation: 7 vegetation zones – Very Highly Diverse Island
Islands in this range are ecological powerhouses, showcasing a wide array of vegetation zones. Each zone, from lush rainforests to arid scrublands, coastal mangroves to mountainous regions, contributes to a complex and interdependent ecosystem. These islands are often hotspots of biodiversity, supporting numerous species and intricate ecological processes.
Infrastructure and Travelling to Santa Maria
Does the island have a public airport? yes.
Santa Maria has a public and scheduled airport. The following airports are located on this island: Gaua Island Airport.
Does the island have a major port? no.
There are no major ports on Santa Maria. The closest major port is LUGANVILLE, approximately 131 km away.
The mean population of Santa Maria is 10 per km². Santa Maria is Gently Populated. The island belongs to Vanuatu.
The name of the island resonates across different cultures and languages. Here is how it is known around the world: Arabic: غاوا; German: Gaua; Spanish: Gaua; French: Gaua; Portuguese: Gaua; Russian: Гауа; Chinese: 加瓦島
Continuing your journey, Vanua Lava is the next notable island, situated merely km away.
SANTA MARIA - the sunny island of the AZORES
Vanuatu is classified as Least developed region: Countries that exhibit the lowest indicators of socioeconomic development, with the lowest Human Development Index ratings. The level of income is Lower middle income.
News – Latest Updates and Headlines from Santa Maria
Stay informed with the most recent news and important headlines from Santa Maria. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments.
Please note: The data used here has been primarily extracted from satellite readings. Deviations from exact values may occur, particularly regarding the height of elevations and population density. Land area and coastline measurements refer to average values at mean high tide.