The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands /ˈsɒləmən ˈaɪləndz/ (help·info) is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. Together they cover a land mass of 28,400 square kilometres (10,965 sq mi). The capital is Honiara, located on the island of Guadalcanal.

The Solomon Islands are believed to have been inhabited by Melanesian people for thousands of years. The United Kingdom established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred in the Solomon Islands campaign of 1942–45, including the Battle of Guadalcanal. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. The Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with Queen Elizabeth II as the head of state.

Since 1998 ethnic violence, government misconduct and crime have undermined stability and society. In June 2003 an Australian-led multinational force, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), arrived to restore peace, disarm ethnic militias and improve civil governance.

The North Solomon Islands are divided between the independent Solomon Islands and Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea.

Contents

• 1 History
  • 1.1 World War II
  • 1.2 Independence movement
  • 1.3 Tensions
  • 1.4 2007 earthquake and tsunami
  • 1.5 Sport
• 2 Politics
• 3 Provinces
• 4 Foreign relations
• 5 Military
• 6 Geography
• 7 Economy
• 8 Energy
• 9 Demographics
• 10 Religion
• 11 Culture
• 12 See also
• 13 References
• 14 External links

Solomon Islands
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "To Lead is to Serve"
Anthem: God Save Our Solomon Islands Royal anthem: God Save the Queen
Capital (and largest city)		Honiara 9°28′S 159°49′E / 9.467°S 159.817°E / -9.467; 159.817
Official languages		English
Demonym		Solomon Islander
Government		Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary system
-	Queen	Elizabeth II
-	Governor General	Frank Kabui
-	Prime Minister	Derek Sikua
Independence
-	from the UK	7 July 1978
Area
-	Total	28,896 km2 (142nd) 11,157 sq mi
-	Water (%)	3.2%
Population
-	July 2005 estimate	552,438 (U.S. State Department) (170th)
-	Density	17/km2 (189th) 43/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$1.070 billion[1]
-	Per capita	$2,046[1]
GDP (nominal)		2008 estimate
-	Total	$473 million[1]
-	Per capita	$904[1]
HDI (2007)		▲ 0.552 (medium) (136th)
Currency		Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Time zone		(UTC+11)
Drives on the		left
Internet TLD		.sb
Calling code		677