Solomon Islands Guide

January 31, 2021 findjobdescriptions

Solomon Islands – country information

Country name	Solomon Islands
Official name	Solomon Islands
Capital	Honiara
Continent	Australia and Oceania
Area	28,896 km²
Population	581,344 (2013)
Foundation of a state	7/7/1978
The highest mountains	Popomanaseu (Guadalcanal) 2381 m
State system	pluralistic constitutional monarchy with a unicameral parliament
The biggest cities	Honiara (Guadalcanal) (Capital) 45,000
Official language	English
Ethnicity/National Composition	Melanesian 94.5%, Polynesian 3.7%, other Pacific Islander 1.3%, European 0.3%, Asian 0.2%
Religious affiliation	Protestant 77.5%, Roman Catholic 19.2%, Baha’i 0.4%, other 2.9%
Currency	1 Solomon Islands dollar (SI$) = 100 cents
gross domestic product (GDP)	US$3,288 (2012)
Average life expectancy of the population	men 59.9 years, women 61.4 years (2006)
Structure of GDP	agriculture and fishing 31%, mining, industry and construction 9%, services 60%

Country overview

According to Abbreviationfinder, the Solomon Islands are located in the western Pacific Ocean to the northeast of Australia. The name was given to them by the Spanish navigator de Neyra, who believed he had found a mythical land from which the biblical King Solomon allegedly transported gold and other treasures.

The islands of Bougainville and Buka, which are also sometimes referred to as the Northern Solomon Islands, are part of the original group, but have belonged to New Guinea for over a hundred years.

The Solomon Islands is a state in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia.

The capital is Honiara. The official language is English. Currency – Solomon Islands dollar.

The Solomon Islands have an area of 27,600 km2. The state covers part of the archipelago of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia, east of the island of New Guinea. The northern part of the archipelago (the islands of Bougainville, Buka, Nissan) is part of Papua New Guinea, the second, most of it belongs to the state of the Solomon Islands. The islands are predominantly of volcanic origin. Famous volcanoes Balbey, Bagan. The highest mountain is Popomanaseu (2335 m).

The climate is subequatorial, very humid. Average monthly temperatures are from +26*С to +28*С. From May to October, the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March – the northwest equatorial monsoon. There are short full-flowing rivers.

A significant part of the islands is covered with evergreen forests (palms, ficuses). In dry places – savannahs, along the banks – mangroves. Animal world – rats, bats, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, giant frogs. Birds – wild pigeons, parrots, etc.

There are no diplomatic relations with Russia.

Interesting Facts

The islands were inhabited by the Melanesians around 30,000 BC. e.

The islands were discovered in 1568 by the Spanish navigator A. Mendanya de Neira, who bartered gold from the locals and called these Solomon Islands, comparing them with the Golden Country of Solomon. Britain established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. During World War II, heavy fighting took place on the islands. In particular, the battle for Guadalcanal is considered a turning point in the Pacific theater of operations. In July 1978 the Solomon Islands became independent from Great Britain. The first prime minister was Peter Kenilorea.

Country data

Location: South Pacific Ocean

Time zone: CET + 10 (during summer time: CET + 9)

Total area: 28,896 km²

Land area: 27,986 km²

Water area: 910 km²

Length of the state border: 0 km

Coastline: 5,313 km

Capital: Honiara

Provinces: 10
Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara, Isabel, Makira and Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western

Electric current: 240 V / 50 Hz

Telephone code: 00 677 (Source: Allcitycodes)

Highest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,310 m

Population

Population: approx. 610,000 residents (Countryaah, 2021)

Population growth: 2% per year

Population density (residents per km²): 21

Life expectancy: 72 (male), 78 (female)

Official language: English

Religions:

35% Anglican
20% Roman Catholic
45% other

Climate

Located in the tropical climate zone, the climate is warm all year round with high humidity.

The temperature hardly fluctuates over the year and averages 30 ° C during the day and 20 ° C at night.

There is short, sometimes heavy rainfall all year round.

Currency / finance

Currency unit: Solomon’s dollar (SBD)

Division: 1 dollar = 100 cents

ATMs: not available

International credit cards: These are occasionally accepted by larger hotels.

Regulations: Foreign and national currencies can be imported in unlimited amounts.

The export of foreign currencies is limited to the amount of the declared import. The local currency can be exported up to an amount of 250 SBD.

Customs regulations

The following may be carried duty-free:

200 cigarettes or 250 g tobacco
2 liters of alcoholic beverages

(Information applies to people aged 18 and over)

Tourists and people in transit can bring items of personal use with them duty-free.

Travel advice

The security situation in the country is not particularly stable. The presence of international protection forces has improved the situation, but one is not always safe from criminal attacks.

It is not recommended to travel to the south coast of the island of Guadalcanal and to the entire island of Malaita.