Rennell

Rennell is the largest raised coral atoll in the world, located in the Solomon Islands. It is part of Rennell and Bellona Province in the southern Solomon Islands, southeast of Guadalcanal. The island is named after James Rennell, an 18th-century British cartographer who charted the Pacific region.

Geography: Rennell consists of a ring-shaped limestone rim surrounding a central lagoon and the freshwater Lake Tegano, the largest lake in the Solomon Islands. The interior is rugged and forested, with small villages and terraced gardens; the surrounding sea and reefs support fishing and local livelihoods.

People and language: The island is inhabited by the Rennellese people, who speak the Rennellese language (an Oceanic language) alongside other local languages. The main settlement is Tigoa on the northwest coast.

History and administration: European exploration of the island began in the 18th century. Rennell later became part of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate and is now administered as part of the Rennell and Bellona Province.

Economy and environment: The economy is largely subsistence-based, with crops such as yams, taro, and coconuts, supplemented by fishing. Tourism is limited, though Lake Tegano attracts researchers and visitors. The island hosts diverse flora and fauna and faces environmental pressures from logging, invasive species, and climate change.