Solomon Islands
Location/Geography
Forming a scattered archipelago of mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls, the Solomon Islands stretches about 900
miles in a south-easterly direction from the Shortland Islands to the Santa Cruz islands. There are six major and
approximately 992 smaller islands, attolls and reefs. The archipelago covers are area of about 249,000 square nautical miles
while the land area is 10,938 sq. miles (28,446 sq. Km). Solomon Islands lies between 155 30' and 170 30'E. longitude
and between 5 10' and 12 45'S. latitude. The six biggest islands are Choiseul, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Guadalcanal,
Malaita and Makira. They are characterized by thickly-forested mountain ranges intersected by deep, narrow valleys.
Climate
The climate is tropical, though temperatures are rarely extreme due to cooling winds blowing off the surrounding seas.
Daytime temperatures are normally 25 to 32 c., falling about 3 to 5 at night. From April to October, the Southeast trade
winds blow, gusting at times up to 30 knots or more. November to March is the wet season - the northwest monsoon -
typically warmer and wetter. Cyclones start in the Coral Sea and the area of the Solomon Islands, but they usually steer
towards Vanuatu and New Caledonia or down the coast of Australia.
Government
The Solomon Islands achieved internal self-government in 1976, and became independent in July 1978. The country's
system of Government is a Parliamentary Democracy with a unicameral legislature. The British monarch as Head of State is
represented locally by the Governor General. Legislative power in vested in a unicameral National Parliament of 47
members, elected for a four-year term. The executive authority is exercised by the Cabinet.
History
The origin of the present Melanesian inhabitants is uncertain. Although archaeological and linguistic evidence shows that
Solomon Islands was probably settled 4,000 - 5,000 years ago by Austronesian, neolithic people from South-East Asia.
Archaeological evidence also shows that one group of people settled on islands from the Bismarcks to Polynesian and
became the ancestors of all Polynesians, some eventually returning to the outlying islands of Solomon islands. The first
documented European contact was made in 1568 by the Spanish explorer, Alvaro de Mendana. Mendana discovered
alluvial gold on Guadalcanal and, perhaps thinking he found the source of King Solomon's great wealth (the Biblical King
Solomon's mine), named the islands the "Isles of Solomon ". Because of Mendana's Spanish heritage, many of the islands in
the Solomon Islands bear original Spanish names. Great Britain declared a Protectorate in 1893 over the southern
Solomons, adding the Santa Cruz group in 1898 and 1899. The islands of the Shortland group were transferred by treaty
from Germany to Great Britain in 1900.
Language
English is the official language
Solomon Islands Pijin (lingua franca)
There are over 80 different local languages plus dialects
Religion
About 95% of the population is Christian. The principal religions are Church of Melanesian (Anglican) about 29%; Roman
Catholic, 19%; South Seas Evangelical Church, 17%; United Church (Methodist), 11%; and Seventh-day-Adventist, 10%.
More recently: the Baha'i Faith, Jehovah's Witnesses, Assembly of God and the Baptist Church.
Capital
Honiara
Currency Click Here For Currency Exchange
Solomon Islands dollar (SI) of 100 cents (US$0.35)
Flag
Blue over green divided by a diagonal yellow band, with five white stars in the top left quarter
National Anthem
God Bless our Solomon Islands
National Day
7 July (Independence day)
Communications
Solomon Airlines operate international services to other Pacific states and Australia. Air Niugini flies from Port Moresby to
Honiara. There are about 52 miles of secondary and minor roads in the urban areas of Honiara, Auki and Gizo. In the rural
areas there are some 800 miles of road, including those in private plantations, forestry areas and roads built and maintained
by councils. Telekom, a company jointly owned by Cable and Wireless Limited and the Solomon Islands Government,
operates the international and domestic telephone circuits from a ground station in Honiara via the Intelsat Pacific Ocean
communication satellite.
Trade
The main important are foodstuffs, consumer goods, machinery and transport materials. Principal exports are timber, fish,
copra, and palm oil. Fisheries exports for 1992 totalled SI$88.Im, timber SI$110.4m. Other exports include cocoa and
marine shells.
Utilities
The availability of electricity is at present confined to Honiara and five other urban centres. Electricity is operated by the
Solomon Islands Electricity Authority, which follows the wiring regulations of the standards Association of Australia. The
electricity supply is 230/415 volts at 50Hz.
Population
The total population is 340,000
Annual Growth rate 3.67%
People
Melanesians - 93%
Polynesians - 4%
Micronesians - 1.5%
Others - 1.5%
Culture
Communial, familial and clan ties remain very strong in Solomon Islands. Most people consider themselves to be part of an
immediate family of 200 and can trace back their ancestors at least ten generations. The Pijin word "wantok" - which derives
from "one talk" meaning people from the same language group - is used to indicate blood relatives in the extended family.
