northernmost of the Loyalty Islands, an island group within the French overseas country of New Caledonia, southwestern Pacific Ocean. Ouvéa is a crescent-shaped atoll, 30 miles (50 km) long and 4.5 miles (7 km) wide. The most fertile of the group, it is wooded and produces copra for export. Fayaoué, on the southeast coast, is the chief village and the island's administrative centre. Several tourist facilities lie on the 20-mile (30-km) beach that borders the large lagoon. In the 18th century Ouvéa was settled by migrants from Uvea, the major island of the Wallis Islands group, some 1,200 miles (2,000 km) to the northeast. Both a Samoan and a Vanuatuan language are used. Area 51 square miles (132 square km). Pop. (2004) 4,359.