The Louisiade Archipelago is a string of ten volcanic islands and coral reefs located just southeast of Papua New Guinea, between the Solomon Sea to the north and the Coral Sea to the south. Sideia and Basilaki islands lie closest to Guinea, while Misima, Vanatinai (called Sudest or Tagula as named by European claimants on Western maps) , and Rossel islands lie further east. The archipelago has a land area of approximately 1600 km² (600 square miles), and Vanatinai (Sudest/Tagula) is the largest island. (800 km²).

The 1942 Battle of Coral Sea was fought nearby.

Louisiade Archipelago rain forests

The islands have a moist tropical climate, and are largely covered with tropical moist broadleaf forests. The Louisiade Archipelago rain forests form a distinct ecoregion, and are home to a number of endemic species, including several endemic trees (in genera Pandanus, Diospyros, and Hopea ), as well as five endemic frog species, two endemic lizard species, and five endemic bird species.

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Louisiade Archipelago rain forests (World Wildlife Fund)