Kollektiv benämning på ett stort öområde, med melanesisk befolkning, i Stilla havet nordost om Australien, omfattande bl a Nya Kaledonien, Vanuatu, Nya Hebriderna, Salomonöarna, Louisiaderna, Bismarckarkipelagen, Santa Cruzöarna, Fiji m fl.
The collective name for the islands of the Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia, including NEW CALEDONIA; VANUATU; New Hebrides, Solomon Islands, Admiralty Islands, Bismarck Archipelago, FIJI, etc. Melanesia (from the Greek melas, black + nesos, island) is so called from the black color of the natives who are generally considered to be descended originally from the Negroid Papuans and the Polynesians or Malays. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p748 & Room, Brewer's Dictionary of Names, 1992, p344)
Inga svenska synonymer finns.
Norfolk Island — Solomon Islands — British Solomon Islands