Vanua Levu is the second-largest island in Fiji, and it is also known by several synonyms. One of these synonyms is "Sandalwood Island," as the island was once abundant in sandalwood trees, and had a flourishing sandalwood trade in the 19th century. Another synonym for Vanua Levu is "The Big Island," as it is the largest island in the northern division of Fiji. It is also referred to as "The Friendly North" due to its reputation for hospitality and warmth towards visitors. Additionally, Vanua Levu is known as "Bakanawa" in the local Fijian language, which means "island of the hills".