volcanic island group of the Bismarck Archipelago, eastern Papua New Guinea, southwestern Pacific Ocean. The islands lie 40 miles (65 km) north of New Britain Island in the Bismarck Sea. The group, with a total land area of 45 square miles (117 square km), includes the main islands of Garove (Ile des Lacs; 26 square miles 【67 square km】), Unea (Merite; 11 square miles 【28 square km】), and Mundua (2 square miles 【5 square km】), as well as five smaller islands. Unea is the highest of the islands, rising to 1,939 feet (591 metres). Generally forested, the islands produce some copra and cocoa and are popular with scuba divers.