Lord Howe Island is a volcanic remnant located in the Tasman Sea, positioned roughly between Australia and New Zealand. It lies about 600 kilometers (370 miles) east of Port Macquarie on the Australian mainland, 780 kilometers (480 miles) northeast of Sydney, and approximately 900 kilometers (560 miles) southwest of Norfolk Island. The island is irregularly crescent-shaped, about 10 kilometers long and between 0.3 to 2 kilometers wide, with a total area of 14.55 square kilometers. It is part of the Australian state of New South Wales. The island features two prominent volcanic mountains, Mount Gower, which is the highest point at 875 meters (2,871 feet), and Mount Lidgbird at 777 meters (2,549 feet). Most of the population lives in the northern part of the island, where there is some farming, housing, and an airstrip. The island group includes 28 islands, islets, and rocks, with Ball's Pyramid being a notable nearby volcanic islet. Lord Howe Island is known for its unique ecosystem and is largely protected as a national park and World Heritage site.