Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands, also known as the Solomons, is an archipelagic country made up of six major islands and over 1,000 smaller islands in Melanesia, Oceania. It lies to the north-east of Australia, close to Bougainville, New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, the Federated States of Micronesia, and Nauru. The country covers an area of 28,896 square kilometres and is home to around 828,857 people. Its capital city is Honiara, located on the largest island, Guadalcanal.

People have lived on these islands for a very long time, with settlements dating back to between 30,000 and 28,800 BC. Later groups, such as the Lapita people, also arrived and mixed with the local population. The first European to visit was the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña in 1568. More European visits followed in the years after.

In 1893, a British captain declared part of the Solomons a British protectorate. During World War II, important battles took place there, such as the Battle of Guadalcanal. The country became self-governing in 1976 and fully independent in 1978. Today, the Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy, with Charles III as the King of Solomon Islands, represented by a governor-general.

Name

In 1568, a Spanish explorer named Álvaro de Mendaña was the first European to visit the Solomon Islands. He didn’t name all the islands together, but others later called them Islas Salomón (Solomon Islands) after hearing about his trip. People thought these islands might be linked to stories about the wealthy King Solomon from the Bible.

During colonial times, the area was known as the "British Solomon Islands Protectorate." In 1978, when it became independent, the name changed to simply "Solomon Islands." Sometimes people still say "the Solomons" when talking about the islands.

History

Prehistory

The Solomon Islands were first settled by people who came from the Bismarck Islands and New Guinea during the Pleistocene era around 30,000–28,000 BC. This is based on archaeological evidence found at Kilu Cave on Buka Island in Papua New Guinea. At that time, sea levels were lower, and Buka and Bougainville were connected to the southern Solomon Islands. As sea levels rose around 4000–3500 BC, the landmass split into the islands we see today. Later settlements from around 4500–2500 BC have been found on Guadalcanal.

From around 1200–800 BC, people known as the Lapita began arriving from the Bismarcks. They mixed with the local people, and their culture became widespread across the Solomons. By AD 1000–1500, there were many permanent settlements, including large structures on New Georgia.

Arrival of Europeans (1568–1886)

The first European to visit the islands was Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568. He landed on Santa Isabel and explored several islands. Relations with the local people were friendly at first but later turned bad. Mendaña returned in 1595 to try to colonize the islands but failed due to disease and poor relations. Other Europeans visited over the next centuries, including French and British explorers.

Whaling ships began visiting the islands in the late 18th century for food and water. Traders also came for items like tortoiseshell and sandalwood. In the 1840s, islanders were often taken to work on plantations in Australia, Fiji, and Samoa under difficult conditions.

Colonial period (1886–1978)

In 1884, Germany claimed parts of the Solomons, and Britain took control of the southern islands in 1893. The British set up a capital at Tulagi and worked to control unfair labor practices. Germany gave up its claims in 1900, and Britain took over the entire group.

During World War II, the Solomon Islands saw intense fighting between Allied and Japanese forces. Battles like Guadalcanal were key turning points in the Pacific War. After the war, movements for more local control grew, and in 1978, the Solomon Islands became an independent country.

Independence era (1978–present)

After independence, the Solomon Islands faced political changes and challenges. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, fighting between different groups caused trouble. International help restored peace. Since then, the country has worked toward stability and development, though it continues to face political shifts and natural challenges.

Politics

Main article: Politics of Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Charles III, as the King of Solomon Islands, serves as head of state and is represented by the Governor-General, who is chosen by Parliament for a five-year term. The country has a unicameral parliament with 50 members elected for four-year terms.

The prime minister, elected by Parliament, leads the government and selects the cabinet. Land in Solomon Islands is owned by its people and is often passed down through families. The country has a police force but no regular military.

Main article: Judiciary of Solomon Islands

The Governor-General appoints the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, with advice from the prime minister and the Leader of the Opposition. The Governor-General also appoints other justices with advice from a judicial commission.

Main article: Foreign relations of Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a member of the United Nations and other international groups. In 2019, the country changed its recognition from the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the People's Republic of China. Relations with nearby nations have improved over time.

Main article: Provinces of Solomon Islands

For local government, Solomon Islands is divided into ten areas. Nine are provinces managed by elected assemblies, and the tenth is the capital, Honiara, managed by a town council.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a country made up of many islands. It has six big islands and over 990 smaller ones. These islands sit between Papua New Guinea to the west and Vanuatu to the southeast. The islands stretch over a wide area, from about 5° to 13° south and from 155° to 169° east.

The islands have a warm, wet climate year-round, with temperatures around 26.5 °C (79.7 °F). Rain is common, especially from November to April. The country is also at risk from strong storms and rising sea levels caused by climate change.

The islands are home to many types of plants and animals, including over 230 kinds of orchids. Some areas are trying to protect their forests and coral reefs. However, not everyone has easy access to clean drinking water or proper places to stay clean, especially in schools and villages.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands has a small economy, with each person earning about $600 a year. Most people work in farming and fishing, and many goods like machines and fuel need to be brought in from other countries. Forests cover most of the land, making the Solomon Islands one of the countries with the most trees in the world.

The country's money, called the Solomon Islands dollar, started in 1977. Some places still use special shell money for traditions or trading in faraway areas. The Solomon Islands used to sell timber, but now sells wood, palm oil, and gold. It also grows coconuts, cocoa, and other crops like taro and yams for local use. There are also chances to grow the fishing industry and attract more visitors, though not many tourists come each year. Some areas are trying new ways to create energy using the sun, water, and wind.

Infrastructure

Solomon Airlines connects Honiara International Airport to Nadi in Fiji, Port Vila in Vanuatu, and Brisbane in Australia, as well as to more than 20 domestic airports across the country. In 2019, a weekly direct flight was started between Brisbane and Munda to help tourism. Virgin Australia also flies between Honiara and Brisbane twice a week. Many smaller airports only have short, grass runways, so only small planes can land there.

The road system in Solomon Islands is not very well developed, and there are no railways. The main roads connect Honiara to Lambi in the west and Aola in the east of Guadalcanal. There are only a few buses, and they do not follow a fixed schedule. In Honiara, there is no central bus station.

Most of the islands can be reached by ferry from Honiara. There is a daily fast ferry service from Honiara to Auki, stopping at Tulagi.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands had a population of 721,455 in 2019, and this number was around 707,851 in 2021. There are slightly more males than females in the country.

Most people in the Solomon Islands are ethnically Melanesian (95.3%). Other groups include Polynesian (3.1%) and Micronesian (1.2%). There are also a few thousand Europeans and a similar number of ethnic Chinese.

Further information: Languages of Solomon Islands

English is the official language, but only about 1–2% of people speak it well. Most people speak Solomons Pijin, an English creole, or one of the many local languages. There are 74 local languages in total, with most being Western Oceanic languages. Some Polynesian languages are spoken on islands like Rennell and Bellona.

Further information: Religion in Solomon Islands

About 92% of people in the Solomon Islands are Christian. The main Christian groups are Anglican (35%), Catholic (19%), and the South Seas Evangelical Church (17%). Other religions include Jehovah's Witnesses and a small number of people who follow Islam or the Baháʼí Faith.

Further information: Health in the Solomon Islands

Health challenges in the Solomon Islands include diseases like malaria infections and Zika virus. In 2018, there were many cases of malaria. Other health issues include Dengue virus, which caused deaths in 2013.

Education is not required, and only about 60% of children go to primary school. There are kindergartens, but they cost money. The University of the South Pacific has a campus in the capital, Honiara, on Guadalcanal. The government wants to improve education, but faces challenges with funding and planning. More boys than girls finish school, and many adults can read and write.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Solomon Islands

The culture of the Solomon Islands is very different across the many islands and groups of people. Each island, language, and area has its own traditions and ways of life. The culture includes the whole country and also Bougainville Island, which is part of Papua New Guinea. Some areas show influences from Polynesian cultures, even though they are far from the main Polynesian region.

There are important ideas shared across many places, such as the Wantok belief that people who speak the same language and are related should support each other like family. Another term, Kastom, refers to traditional beliefs and customs about land and community.

Malaitan shell-money, made from small shell pieces strung together, is a traditional form of currency used in Malaita and other parts of the Solomon Islands. Shells like Tectus niloticus are also used to make jewelry and other items.

Literature

Writers from Solomon Islands include novelists John Saunana and Rexford Orotaloa, and poet Jully Makini.

Media

Newspapers

See also: List of newspapers in Solomon Islands

There is one daily newspaper, the Solomon Star; one daily online news website, Solomon Times Online; two weekly papers, Solomons Voice and Solomon Times; and two monthly papers, Agrikalsa Nius and the Citizen's Press.

Radio

Radio is very important in Solomon Islands because many people speak different languages, and not everyone can read or receive TV signals. The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) runs public radio stations like Radio Happy Isles and Wantok FM. There are also commercial and community radio stations.

Television

See also: List of television stations in the Solomon Islands

Television does not reach all of Solomon Islands, but some areas have service. In Honiara, there are free digital and analogue TV options, plus an online service. Satellite TV and a paid digital service are also available.

Others

There were around 229,500 internet users in Solomon Islands at the start of 2022. Many people, especially in Honiara, own mobile phones.

Music

Further information: Music of Solomon Islands

Traditional music from Solomon Islands includes singing, slit-drum and panpipe performances, and bamboo music. In the 1950s, Edwin Nanau Sitori wrote "Walkabout long Chinatown", which is considered an unofficial national song. Today, popular music includes rock, reggae, and island music.

Sport

Main article: Sport in Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands national rugby union team has played international matches since 1969. The Solomon Islands national football team is part of FIFA and has competed in World Cup qualifiers. In 2008, the national futsal team, the Kurukuru, won the Oceania Futsal Championship and qualified for the FIFA Futsal World Cup. They hold a record for the fastest goal in futsal history.

The national beach soccer team, the Bilikiki Boys, has won regional championships and ranked fourteenth in the world. Solomon Islands hosted the 2023 Pacific Games. In early 2026, the country took part in the Men's World Floorball Championships AOFC Qualification Tournament in Wellington, New Zealand.