Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands consist of six major and approximately 900 smaller volcanic islands, coral atolls and reefs, more than 300 of them are inhabited. They stretch about 900 miles in a south-easterly direction from Papau New Guinea toward Fiji. The former UK protectorate, established in the 1890s, is one of the poorest countries in the South Pacific; 85 percent of the country's population live in isolated rural villages on undeveloped outer islands.
Self-government was achieved in 1976 followed by independence in 1978.
Government malfeasance, etnic armed conflicts and civil unrest left the country in danger of a total collapse. Following an urgent request from the Solomons government for help, Australian-led regional forces landed in the capital Honiara on July 2003 to rescue the Solomon Islands from collapse. After one year of the Regional Assistance Mission (RAMSI) in 2004 the law and order situation and indeed the fiscal situation remains fragile.

related countries: Australia, New Zealand,United Kingdom

other Melanesian islands: Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu

Official Name:
Solomon Islands
short form: Solomons
former: British Solomon Islands

ISO Country Code: sb

Time:
Local Time = UTC +11h

Country Calling Code: +677

Capital City: Honiara on the island of Guadalcanal.

Government:
Type: Parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth.
Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952), represented by Governor General Sir John LAPLI (since NA 1999)
Constitution: May 1978.
Independence: 7 July 1978 (from the United Kingdom).

Geography:
Location: Oceania; group of South Pacfic islands east of Papua New Guinea.
Area: Land -- 27 556 sq. km. (11 599 sq. mi.). Archipelago--725 197 sq. km. (280 000 sq. mi.).
Terrain: rugged mountains with some low coral atolls.

Climate: Tropical with average daytime temperatures around 29 degrees and high humidity, monsoonal wet season occurring between November and March.

People:
Nationality: Solomon Islander(s).
Population: between 320 000 - 520 000.
GNI per capita PPP: $ 1 922 (year)
Ethnic groups: predominantly Melanesian 93%, Polynesian 4%, Micronesian 1.5%.
Religions: Christian 95%--more than one-third Anglican, indigenous beliefs 4%.
Languages: English (official, but spoken by only 1%-2%); Melanesian pidgin is lingua franca spoken in much of the islands; 87 indigenous languages.
Literacy: 64%

Natural resources: Fish, forests, palm products (oil and kernels) as well as cocoa, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel.

Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)