The Shortland Islands are group of islands belonging to the Western Province

Western Province (Solomon Islands)

Western Province is the largest of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. The area is renowned for its beautiful tropical islands, excellent diving and snorkelling, coral reefs and WWII wrecks, ecotourism lodges, and head-hunting shrines...

 of the Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...

, at 6.92°S 155.88°E. Named by John Shortland

John Shortland (naval officer)

John Shortland , naval officer, was born near Plymouth, England, the son of John Shortland. Serving in the Royal Navy between 1755–1790, he died in Lille, France in 1803....

, they lie in the extreme northwest of the country's territory, close to the island of Bougainville

Bougainville Island

Bougainville Island is the main island of the Autonomous Region of Bougainville of Papua New Guinea. This region is also known as Bougainville Province or the North Solomons. The population of the province is 175,160 , which includes the adjacent island of Buka and assorted outlying islands...

, Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...

. The largest island is Shortland Island

Shortland Island

Shortland Island is the largest island of the Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands, at . Named by John Shortland....

. Other islands include Ovau Island, Pirumeri Island, Magusaiai Island, Fauro Island

Fauro Island

Fauro Island is an island, part of the Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands, located at ....

, and Ballale Island (which was occupied by the Japanese in World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, and is home to many abandoned World War II aircraft).

Germany

Germany

Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...

claimed the islands until 1900.