
Solomon Islands Guide
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.
Economy
Agriculture is the most important branch of industry and serves the self-sufficiency of the country. Most of the residents work in this branch.
Industries: mining, fishing, wood processing, agriculture
Natural resources: bauxite, lead, cobalt, fish, gold, wood, copper, nickel, phosphates, silver, zinc
Land use:
- Usable land: 1%
- Grain cultivation: 1%
- Pasture area: 1%
- Forests: 88%
- other: 9%