Bougainville

Welcome to Bougainville, a Tropical island in the Solomon Sea, part of the majestic Pacific Ocean. This guide offers a comprehensive overview of what makes Bougainville 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 Bougainville
Size: 8751 km²
Coastline: 688 km
Ocean: Pacific Ocean
Sea: Solomon Sea
Continent: Oceania
Bougainville is a Very Large Island spanning 8751 km² with a coastline of 688 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: Pacific – The world’s largest tectonic plate, covering much of the Pacific Ocean, known for the Pacific Ring of Fire with extensive seismic and volcanic activity.
The geographic heart of the island is pinpointed at these coordinates:
Latitude: -6.22523081 / Longitude: 155.30903454
Climate and weather of Bougainville
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 Bougainville
Timezone: UTC+10:00
Timezone places: Australia/Sydney
Max. Elevation: 2715 m Mt. Balbi
Mean Elevation: 403 m
Vegetation: Evergreen Broadleaf Forest
Tree Coverage: 75%
The mean elevation is 403 m. Dominating the island’s landscape, the majestic “Mt. Balbi” rises as the highest peak, soaring to impressive heights. 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. Bougainville has a tree cover of 75 %.
Vegetation: 15 vegetation zones – Exceptionally Diverse Island
Islands with more than ten vegetation zones are among the most ecologically rich and varied in the world. These islands are akin to miniature continents, boasting an incredible array of ecosystems. The sheer range of habitats, from high peaks to deep valleys, rainforests to deserts, creates a mosaic of life that is unparalleled. They are crucial for conservation and ecological studies.
Infrastructure and Travelling to Bougainville
Does the island have a public airport? yes.
Bougainville has a public and scheduled airport. The following airports are located on this island: Aropa Airport.
Does the island have a major port? yes.
Bougainville is home to a major port. The following ports are situated on the island: KIETA.
The mean population of Bougainville is 30 per km². Bougainville is Gently Populated. The island belongs to Papua New Guinea.
The name of the island resonates across different cultures and languages. Here is how it is known around the world: Arabic: جزيرة بوغاينفيل; German: Bougainville; Spanish: Bougainville; French: Bougainville; Portuguese: Bougainville; Russian: Бугенвиль; Chinese: 布干维尔岛
Continuing your journey, Taiof is the next notable island, situated merely km away.
Papua New Guinea is classified as Developing region: Regions characterized by lower income levels, with economies in the process of industrialization and modernization. The level of income is Lower middle income.
News – Latest Updates and Headlines from Bougainville
Stay informed with the most recent news and important headlines from Bougainville. Here’s a roundup of the latest developments.
- Island Passage Exploration and Isina Resource Holdings Announce Land Access and Compensation Payments of 200,000 Kina made to customary landowners from work conducted on the EL02 Project Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea - lincolnjournal.comon 22 June 2026
Island Passage Exploration and Isina Resource Holdings Announce Land Access and Compensation Payments of 200,000 Kina made to customary landowners from work conducted on the EL02 Project Bougainville Island, Papua New Guinea lincolnjournal.com
- Island Passage Exploration and Isina Resource Holdings - GlobeNewswireon 22 June 2026
Island Passage Exploration and Isina Resource Holdings GlobeNewswire
- New boats to cut isolation for Bougainville atolls - Islands Businesson 14 June 2026
New boats to cut isolation for Bougainville atolls Islands Business
- Wale, Marape to discuss Bougainville independence - Islands Businesson 11 June 2026
Wale, Marape to discuss Bougainville independence Islands Business
- Bougainville independence debate enters parliament - Islands Businesson 9 June 2026
Bougainville independence debate enters parliament Islands Business
- Papua New Guinea and Bougainville: an explorer’s paradise - Boating New Zealandon 9 June 2026
Papua New Guinea and Bougainville: an explorer’s paradise Boating New Zealand
- Seeking Environmental Justice in Papua New Guinea - Living on Earthon 5 June 2026
Seeking Environmental Justice in Papua New Guinea Living on Earth
- Bougainville hits back at Namah as independence debate heats up - RNZon 4 June 2026
Bougainville hits back at Namah as independence debate heats up RNZ
- First Sailboat in the Bay: Cruising Bougainville - Cruising World Magazineon 20 May 2026
First Sailboat in the Bay: Cruising Bougainville Cruising World Magazine
- Bougainville Copper Ltd stock (PG0008526520): Key mining asset in Papua New Guinea - Ad-hoc-news.deon 13 May 2026
Bougainville Copper Ltd stock (PG0008526520): Key mining asset in Papua New Guinea Ad-hoc-news.de
Social Media Posts about Bougainville
- on 24 June 2026
Bougainville's sweet path to independence? While mining grabs headlines, southern districts like Buin are booming thanks to soaring global cocoa prices. Farmers are building homes, buying cars, funding schools — and eyeing cash crops to bankroll […]
- on 4 June 2026
I recently saw the documentary "Frontier War | Inside The West Papua Liberation Army", about the desperate anti-colonial resistance in #westpapua against the Indonesian occupation and its warcrimes commited against the local populace who want […]
- on 9 May 2026
My all time favourite 🩷💚💜#Bougainvillea #Bougainville #Bougainvillea_glabra #Pflanzen #Natur
- on 13 February 2026
“… Panguna mine copper reserves dormant for 33 years … estimated 10,000 to 15,000 people were killed in the struggle until a peace agreement was finally reached in […]
- on 30 January 2026
#PNG #PapuaNewGuinea #Bougainville #China “The Pacific island of Bougainville has rejected a partnership with Chinese miner CMOC to reopen a gold and copper mine that was among the world's largest before it was shut by a bloody civil war, instead […]
- on 24 January 2026
From last month, some more good journalism on "#KingdomOfPapaala" on #Bougainville, probably the world's most country-like #micronation, led by financial scammer Noah […]
- on 3 January 2026
Bougainville: Un Nuevo País#Bougainville #nuevaPapúa #nuevoPaís
- on 11 December 2025
The results of an independence referendum in #Bougainville, an autonomous part of #PapuaNewGuinea, were announced on #ThisDayInHistory in 2019. It was a lop-sided victory for #Bougainvillean nationalists, with 98% choosing secession. A new country […]
- on 23 October 2025
#bougainvillea #bougainville #ivy #walls_talking #a_2nd_look #akiruna #AnnemieHiele
- on 11 October 2025
Here is #JordanOpeti from the Autonomous Region of #Bougainville in #PapuaNewGuinea.https://youtu.be/E2j1DipjYA8 https://youtu.be/5upK6AofJ6U https://youtu.be/wICszKmLUoI https://youtu.be/ijuSShMnfRw #LunchtimeListens #WorldMusic
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.
