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
Official languages		English, Pijin
Demonym		Solomon Islander
Government		Constitutional monarchy
-	Queen	Queen Elizabeth II
-	Governor-General	Nathaniel Waena
-	Prime Minister	Derek Sikua
Independence
-	from the UK	7 July 1978
Area
-	Total	28,896 km² (142nd) 11,157 sq mi
-	Water (%)	3. The national Flag of the Solomon Islands was adopted officially on November 18, 1977. The coat of arms of the Solomon Islands shows a shield which is framed by a Crocodile and a Shark. A motto (from the Italian word motto, meaning witticism sentence is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group A national anthem is a generally patriotic musical composition that evokes and eulogizes the history traditions and struggles of its people recognized either by a nation's God Save Our Solomon Islands is the National anthem of the Solomon Islands. A royal anthem is a patriotic song much like a National anthem but specifically praising or praying for a Monarch or royal dynasty "God Save the Queen", or "God Save the King", is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms It is the National The Solomon Islanders comprise diverse cultures languages and customs Honiara, population 49107 (1999 54600 (2003 est is the Capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered An official language is a Language that is given a special legal status in a particular Country, State, or other territory English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A demonym or gentilic is a word that denotes the members of a People or the inhabitants of a place For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The Head of For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II The Governor-General of the Solomon Islands is the De facto Head of State of the Solomon Islands, representing Queen Elizabeth II, who is styled Sir Nathaniel Rahumaea Waena GCMG, CSI, KStJ has been the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands since July 7 2004. The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands' Head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority David Derek Sikua (born October 10 1959) has been the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands since December 20 2007 Independence is the Self-government of a Nation, Country, or State by its residents and population or some portion thereof generally exercising The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) Area is a Quantity expressing the two- Dimensional size of a defined part of a Surface, typically a region bounded by a closed Curve. To help compare Orders of magnitude of different geographical regions  Areas between 10000 km² and 100000 km² are listed here This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. Water is a common Chemical substance that is essential for the survival of all known forms of Life. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" 2%
Population
-	July 2005 estimate	552,438 (U. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology S. State Department) (170th)
-	Density	17/km² (189th) 43/sq mi
GDP (PPP)		2005 estimate
-	Total	$911 million (171st)
-	Per capita	$1,894 (146th)
HDI (2007)		▲ 0. List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume List of countries and dependencies by Population density in inhabitants/km² The purchasing power parity ( PPP) theory uses the long-term equilibrium Exchange rate of two currencies to equalize their Purchasing power. There are three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP (the value of all final goods and services produced within a nation Per capita is a Latin phrase meaning for each head with Per meaning 'through' or 'by' This article includes three lists of Countries of the world sorted by their Gross domestic product (GDP at Purchasing power parity (PPP Per capita The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 602 (medium) (129th)
Currency		Solomon Islands dollar (SBD)
Time zone		(UTC+11)
Internet TLD		.sb
Calling code		+677

The Solomon Islands is a nation in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. This is a list of countries by Human Development Index as included in the United Nations Development Program 's Human Development Report 2007 A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is The dollar ( ISO 4217 code SBD) is the Currency of the Solomon Islands since 1977 ISO 4217 is the International standard describing three-letter codes (also known as the currency code) to define the names of currencies established A country This is a list of country calling codes defined by ITU-T recommendation E Melanesia (from Greek: μέλας black, νῆσος island) means "islands of the black-skinned people" Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania Together they cover a land mass of 28,400 square kilometres (10,965 sq mi). The square mile is an imperial and US unit of Area equal the area of a square of one statute mile. The capital is Honiara, located on the island of Guadalcanal. Honiara, population 49107 (1999 54600 (2003 est is the Capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered Guadalcanal (local name Isatabu) is a 2510- Square mile (6500- km²) Island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon

The Solomon Islands are believed to have been inhabited by Melanesian people for thousands of years. Melanesia (from Greek: μέλας black, νῆσος island) means "islands of the black-skinned people" The United Kingdom established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred in the Solomon Islands campaign of 1942–45, including the Battle of Guadalcanal. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War of World War II. The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The country is a Commonwealth realm. A Commonwealth realm is any one of 16 sovereign states within the Commonwealth of Nations that each have Elizabeth II as their respective Monarch

Since 1998 ethnic violence, government misconduct and crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003 (following the Invasion of Iraq) an Australian-led "multinational" force, the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The 2003 invasion of Iraq, from March 20 to May 1 2003 was spearheaded by the United States, backed by British forces and smaller contingents from Australia For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI also known as Operation Helpem Fren, was created in 2003 in response to a request for international aid by the

The North Solomon Islands are divided between the independent Solomon Islands and Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea. The North Solomons are the former German Solomon Islands in Melanesia which were part of German New Guinea. The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, also known as North Solomons, is an Autonomous region in Papua New Guinea and is the largest of the Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania

History

Main article: History of the Solomon Islands

Solomon Island warriors with spears in ornamented war canoe

It is believed that Papuan speaking settlers began to arrive around 30,000 BC. The human history of the Solomon Islands begins with the first settlement at least 30000 years ago from New Guinea. The term East Papuan languages refers to a defunct proposal for a family of Papuan languages spoken on the islands to the east of New Guinea, including Austronesian speakers arrived circa 4,000 BC also bringing cultural elements such as the outrigger canoe. Austronesia, in historical terms refers to the homeland of the people who speak Austronesian languages, to which Malay, Filipino, Indonesian The outrigger canoe ( Tagalog and Indonesian: bangka; Maori: waka ama; Hawaiian: waʻa; Tahitian: It is between 1,200 and 800 BC that the ancestors of the Polynesians, the Lapita people, arrived from the Bismarck Archipelago with their characteristic ceramics. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over For the Fly Genus, see Lapita (fly. Lapita is the common name The Bismarck Archipelago is a group of islands off the northeastern coast of New Guinea in the western Pacific Ocean and part of Papua New Guinea. The word ceramic is derived from the Greek word κεραμικός ( keramikos) ^[1] The first European to discover the islands was the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, coming from Peru in 1568. Spain () or the Kingdom of Spain (Reino de España is a country located mostly in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula. Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira or Neyra (1542 - October 1595 was a Spanish Navigator. Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America.

Missionaries began visiting the Solomons in the mid-19th century. They made little progress at first, because "blackbirding" (the often brutal recruitment of laborers for the sugar plantations in Queensland and Fiji) led to a series of reprisals and massacres. Blackbirding refers to the recruitment of people through trickery and Kidnappings to work on plantations particularly the Sugar cane Plantations of Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern corner of the mainland continent Fiji (Matanitu ko Viti फ़िजी officially the Republic of the Fiji Islands (Matanitu Tu-Vaka-i-koya ko Viti फ़िजी द्वीप समूह गणराज्य The evils of the labor trade prompted the United Kingdom to declare a protectorate over the southern Solomons in 1893. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located This was the basis of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands In 1898 and 1899, more outlying islands were added to the protectorate; in 1900 the remainder of the archipelago, an area previously under German jurisdiction, was transferred to British administration apart from the islands of Buka and Bougainville which remained under German administration as part of German New Guinea (until they were occupied by Australia in 1914, after the commencement of World War I). The Autonomous Region of Bougainville, also known as North Solomons, is an Autonomous region in Papua New Guinea and is the largest of the Buka Island is the second largest island in the Papua New Guinean province of Bougainville. Bougainville is part of Papua New Guinea. Geographically, Bougainville is included in the chain of islands known as the Solomon Islands in Melanesia Traditional trade and social intercourse between the western Solomon islands of Mono and Alu (the Shortlands) and the traditional societies in the south of Bougainville, however, continued without hindrance. Under the protectorate, missionaries settled in the Solomons, converting most of the population to Christianity. In the early 20th century, several British and Australian firms began large-scale coconut planting. The Coconut Palm ( Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family Economic growth was slow, however, and the islanders benefited little.

World War II

Main articles: Solomon Islands campaign and Battle of Guadalcanal

With the outbreak of World War II, most planters and traders were evacuated to Australia, and most cultivation ceased. The Solomon Islands campaign was a major campaign of the Pacific War of World War II. The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the Some of the most intense fighting of World War II occurred in the Solomons. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including The most significant of the Allied Forces' operations against the Japanese Imperial Forces was launched on August 7, 1942 with simultaneous naval bombardments and amphibious landings on the Florida Islands at Tulagi and Red Beach on Guadalcanal. The Empire of Japan ( {{unicode|Kyūjitai}}: ja 大日本帝國 Shinjitai: ja 大日本帝国 pronounced Dai Nippon Teikoku Events 322 BC - Battle of Crannon between Athens and Macedon following the death of Alexander the Great. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Florida Islands (or Nggela Islands) are a small island group in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands, a nation in the western Pacific Ocean Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small Island (55 km by 1 km in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida Island. Guadalcanal (local name Isatabu) is a 2510- Square mile (6500- km²) Island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon The Battle of Guadalcanal became an important and bloody campaign fought in the Pacific War as the Allies began to repulse Japanese expansion. The Guadalcanal Campaign, also known as the Battle of Guadalcanal, was fought between August 7, 1942, and February 9, 1943, in the Of strategic importance during the war were the coastwatchers operating in remote locations, often on Japanese held islands, providing early warning and intelligence of Japanese naval, army and aircraft movements during the campaign. The Coastwatchers, also known as the Coast Watch Organisation, Combined Field Intelligence Service or Section "C" Allied Intelligence Bureau Sergeant-Major Jacob Vouza was a notable coastwatcher who after capture refused to divulge Allied information in spite of interrogation and torture by Japanese Imperial forces. Sir Jacob Charles Vouza GM, MBE ( 1900 - 15 March 1984) was a highly decorated Solomonese Coastwatcher and The Coastwatchers, also known as the Coast Watch Organisation, Combined Field Intelligence Service or Section "C" Allied Intelligence Bureau He was awarded the highest award for bravery by the Americans. Islanders Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana would be noted by National Geographic for being the first to find the shipwrecked John F. Kennedy and his crew of the PT-109. Biuku Gasa and Eroni Kumana were Solomon Islands natives of Melanesian descent who discovered John F Overview The NGS's historical mission is "to increase and diffuse geographic knowledge while promoting the conservation of the world's cultural historical and natural John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy (May 29 1917&ndashNovember 22 1963 often referred to by his initials JFK, was the thirty-fifth President of Specifications PT-109 belonged to the PT 103 class hundreds of which were completed between 1942 and 1945 by Elco. They suggested using a coconut to write a rescue message for delivery by dugout canoe, which was later kept on his desk when he became the president of the United States.

The U. S. employment of tanks in Guadalcanal was hampered by the nature of the terrain

The Solomon Islands was one of the major staging areas of the South Pacific and was home to the legendary VMF-214 "Black Sheep" Squadron commanded by Major Greg "Pappy" Boyington. "The Black Sheep" redirects here for other uses see Black Sheep. Colonel Gregory "Pappy" Boyington USMC, (December 4 1912 - January 11 1988 was an American fighter ace. The Slot was a name for New Georgia Sound, when it was used by the Tokyo Express to supply the Japanese garrison on Guadalcanal. New Georgia Sound is the body of water that runs approximately through the middle of the Solomon Islands. The Tokyo Express was the name given by Allied forces to the use of Imperial Japanese Navy ships at night to deliver personnel supplies and equipment to Japanese

Independence movement

Following the end of World War II, the British colonial government returned. The capital was moved from Tulagi to Honiara to take advantage of the infrastructure left behind by the U. Tulagi, less commonly Tulaghi, is a small Island (55 km by 1 km in the Solomon Islands, just off the south coast of Florida Island. Honiara, population 49107 (1999 54600 (2003 est is the Capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered S. military. A revolutionary movement known as Maasina Ruru helped to organize and focus a mass campaign of civil disobedience and strikes across the islands. Maasina Ruru was an Emancipation movement for Self-government and Self-determination during and after World War II, 1945-1950 credited with Civil disobedience is the active refusal to obey certain Laws demands and commands of a Government, or of an occupying power, without resorting to physical There was much disorder and the leaders were jailed in late-1948. Throughout the 1950s, other indigenous dissident groups appeared and disappeared without gaining strength. In 1960, an advisory council of Solomon Islanders was superseded by a legislative council, and an executive council was created as the protectorate's policymaking body. The council was given progressively more authority. In 1974, a new constitution was adopted establishing a parliamentary democracy and ministerial system of government. In mid-1975, the name Solomon Islands officially replaced that of British Solomon Islands Protectorate.

On January 2, 1976, the Solomons became self-governing, and independence followed on July 7, 1978, the first post-independence government being elected in August 1980. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 1976 ( MCMLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1456 - A retrial verdict acquits Joan of Arc of heresy 25 years after her death Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar) The series of governments formed since have not performed to upgrade and build the country. Following the 1997 election of Bartholomew Ulufa'alu the political situation in the Solomons began to deteriorate. Bartholomew (Bart Ulufa'alu ( 25 December 1950 &ndash 25 May 2007) was the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Governance was slipping as the performance of the police and other government agencies deteriorated due to what is commonly known as "the tensions".

Tensions

Commonly referred to as the tensions or the ethnic tension, the initial civil unrest was mainly characterised by fighting between the Isatabu Freedom Movement (also known as the Guadalcanal Revolutionary Army) and the Malaita Eagle Force (as well as the Marau Eagle Force). Isatabu Freedom Movement (IFB is a nationalist militant organisation of the island of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Malaita Eagles Force is a Militant organization originating in the island of Malaita, in the Solomon Islands. (Although much of the conflict was between Guales and Malaitans, Kabutaulaka (2001) and Dinnen (2002) argue that the 'ethnic conflict' label is an oversimplification). For detailed discussions of The Tensions, see also Fraenkel (2004) and Moore (2004).

In late 1998, militants on the island of Guadalcanal commenced a campaign of intimidation and violence towards Malaitan settlers. During the next year, thousands of Malaitans fled back to Malaita or to the capital, Honiara (which, although situated on Guadalcanal, is predominantly populated by Malaitans and Solomon Islanders from other provinces). In 1999, the Malaita Eagle Force (MEF) was established in response. Malaita Eagles Force is a Militant organization originating in the island of Malaita, in the Solomon Islands.

The reformist government of Bartholomew Ulufa'alu struggled to respond to the complexities of this evolving conflict. Bartholomew (Bart Ulufa'alu ( 25 December 1950 &ndash 25 May 2007) was the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands In late 1999, the government declared a four month state of emergency. There were also a number of attempts at reconciliation ceremonies but to no avail. He also requested assistance from Australia and New Zealand in 1999 but this was rejected.

In June 2000, Ulufa'alu was kidnapped by militia members of the MEF who felt that although he was a Malaitan, he was not doing enough to protect their interests. Malaita Eagles Force is a Militant organization originating in the island of Malaita, in the Solomon Islands. Ulufa'alu subsequently resigned in exchange for his release. Manasseh Sogavare, who had earlier been Finance Minister in Ulufa'alu's government but had subsequently joined the opposition, was elected as Prime Minister by 23-21 over Rev. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare (born January 17, 1955) was the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to Leslie Boseto. However Sogavare's election was immediately shrouded in controversy because six MPs (thought to be supporters of Boseto) were unable to attend parliament for the crucial vote (Moore 2004, n. 5 on p. 174).

In October 2000, the Townsville Peace Agreement [1], was signed by the Malaita Eagle Force, elements of the IFM and the Solomon Islands Government. The Townsville Peace Agreement was signed in Townsville on 15 October 2000 between the Malaita Eagle Force and the Isatabu Freedom Movement This was closely followed by the Marau Peace agreement in February 2001, signed by the Marau Eagle Force, the Isatabu Freedom Movement, the Guadalcanal Provincial Government and the Solomon Islands Government. However, a key Guale militant leader, Harold Keke, refused to sign the Agreement, causing a split with the Guale groups. Subsequently, Guale signatories to the Agreement led by Andrew Te'e joined with the Malaitan-dominated police to form the 'Joint Operations Force'. During the next two years the conflict moved to the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal as the Joint Operations unsuccessfully attempted to capture Keke and his group.

New elections in December 2001 brought Sir Allan Kemakeza into the Prime Minister’s chair with the support of his People's Alliance Party and also the Association of Independent Members. Sir Allan Kemakeza KBE (born 11 October 1950 was Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2001 to 2006 Law and order deteriorated as the nature of the conflict shifted: there was continuing violence on the Weathercoast whilst militants in Honiara increasingly turned their attention to crime and extortion. The Department of Finance would often be surrounded by armed men when funding was due to arrive. In December 2002, Finance Minister Laurie Chan resigned after being forced at gunpoint to sign a cheque made out to some of the militants. Conflict also broke out in Western Province between locals and Malaitan settlers. Renegade members of the Bougainville Revolutionary Army (BRA) were invited in as a protection force but ended up causing as much trouble as they prevented.

The prevailing atmosphere of lawlessness, widespread extortion and ineffective police prompted a formal request by the Solomon Islands Government for outside help. With the country bankrupt and the capital in chaos, the request was unanimously supported in Parliament.

In July 2003, Australian and Pacific Island police and troops arrived in the Solomon Islands under the auspices of the Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI also known as Operation Helpem Fren, was created in 2003 in response to a request for international aid by the A sizable international security contingent of 2,200 police and troops, led by Australia and New Zealand, and with representatives from about 20 other Pacific nations began arriving the next month under Operation Helpem Fren. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI also known as Operation Helpem Fren, was created in 2003 in response to a request for international aid by the Since this time some commentators have considered the country a failed state. A failed state is a State whose central government is so weak or ineffective that it has little practical control over much of its territory ^[2]

In April 2006 allegations that the newly elected Prime Minister Snyder Rini had used bribes from Chinese businessmen to buy the votes of members of Parliament led to mass rioting in the capital Honiara. Snyder Rini (born July 27, 1949) is a Solomon Islands politician who was briefly the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from Honiara, population 49107 (1999 54600 (2003 est is the Capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered A deep underlying resentment against the minority Chinese business community led to much of Chinatown in the city being destroyed. Tensions had also been increased by the belief that large sums of money were being exported to China. China sent chartered aircraft to evacuate hundreds of Chinese who fled to avoid the riots. Talk People's Republic of China) PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ARTICLE GUIDELINES Evacuation of Australian and British citizens was on a much smaller scale. Further Australian, New Zealand and Fijian troops were dispatched to try to quell the unrest. Rini eventually resigned before facing a motion of no-confidence in Parliament, and Parliament elected Manasseh Sogavare as Prime Minister. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare (born January 17, 1955) was the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to

Further reading

• Randell, N (2003) "The White Headhunter" Carroll & Graf Publishers, New York
• Dinnen (2002) ‘Winners and losers: politics and disorder in the Solomon Islands 2000-2002’, The Journal of Pacific History, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 285-98.
• Fraenkel, J (2004) The Manipulation of Custom: from Uprising to Intervention in the Solomon Islands, Pandanus Books, Sydney
• Moore, C (2004) Happy Isles in Crisis: the Historical Causes for a Failing State in Solomon Islands, 1998-2004, Asia Pacific Press, Canberra
• Kabutaulaka, T (2001) ‘Beyond ethnicity: the political economy of the Guadalacanal crisis in Solomon Islands’, SSGM Working Paper 01/1

Sport

The Solomon Islands national football team made history by becoming the first team to beat New Zealand into qualifying for a play-off spot against Australia for qualification to the World Cup 2006. The Solomon Islands national football team is the national team of the Solomon Islands and is controlled by Solomon Islands Football Federation. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The 2006 FIFA World Cup was the 18th instance of the FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament They were soundly beaten 7-0 in Australia and 2-1 at home.

2007 earthquake and tsunami

Main article: 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake and tsunami

On 2 April 2007, the Solomon Islands were struck by a major earthquake followed by a large tsunami. The 2007 Solomon Islands earthquake took place on April 2, 2007, near the island of Gizo, in the Solomon Islands. Events 68 - Galba, Governor of Hispania, names himself legatus senatus populique Romani, breaking the line of Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. A tsunami ((tsuːˈnɑːmi is a series of waves created when Initial reports indicated that the tsunami, which mainly affected the small island of Gizo, was several metres in height (perhaps as high as 10 metres (39 ft) according to some reports, 5 metres (16 1/3 ft) according to the Foreign Office). The tsunami was triggered by an 8. 1 magnitude earthquake, with an epicenter 217 miles (349 km) northwest of the island's capital, Honiara, at Lat -8. Honiara, population 49107 (1999 54600 (2003 est is the Capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered 453 Long 156. 957 and at a depth of 10 kilometres (6. 2 miles). ^[3]

According to the United States Geologic Survey the earthquake struck at 20:39:56 UTC on Sunday, 1 April 2007. Since the initial event and up until 22:00:00 UTC on Wednesday, 4 April 2007, more than 44 aftershocks of a magnitude of 5. 0 or greater were recorded in the region.

The death toll from the resulting tsunami was at least 52 people, and the tsunami destroyed more than 900 homes and has left thousands of people homeless. ^[4]

Land thrust from the quake has extended out from the shoreline of one island, Ranongga, by up to 70 meters (230 ft) according to local residents. Ranongga is an island located in the New Georgia Islands group of Western Province, Solomon Islands. ^[5] This has left many once pristine coral reefs exposed on the newly formed beaches.

Politics

Main article: Politics of the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are a constitutional monarchy and have a parliamentary system of government. Politics of the Solomon Islands takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Monarchy within the Commonwealth, whereby A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Queen Elizabeth II is the Monarch of the Solomon Islands and the head of state; she is represented by the Governor-General who is chosen by the Parliament for a five-year term. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The Head of Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state The Governor-General of the Solomon Islands is the De facto Head of State of the Solomon Islands, representing Queen Elizabeth II, who is styled TalkParliament#Screen-size. -->A  parliament is a Legislature, especially in those There is a unicameral parliament of 50 members, elected for four-year terms. Unicameralism is the practice of having only one legislative or Parliamentary chamber However, Parliament may be dissolved by majority vote of its members before the completion of its term. Parliamentary representation is based on single-member constituencies. Suffrage is universal for citizens over age 18. The head of government is the Prime Minister, who is elected by Parliament and chooses the other members of the cabinet. This article focuses on the cases where the Head of Government is a separate office from the Head of State The Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands is the Solomon Islands' Head of government, consequent on being the leader of the party or coalition with majority A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of Government, typically representing the executive branch. Each ministry is headed by a cabinet member, who is assisted by a permanent secretary, a career public servant, who directs the staff of the ministry. The Permanent Secretary, in most departments officially titled the Permanent Under-Secretary of State (although the full title is rarely used is the most senior civil

Solomon Islands governments are characterized by weak political parties (see List of political parties in Solomon Islands) and highly unstable parliamentary coalitions. Political parties in Solomon Islands lists political parties in Solomon Islands. They are subject to frequent votes of no confidence, and government leadership changes frequently as a result. Cabinet changes are common.

Land ownership is reserved for Solomon Islanders. The law provides that resident expatriates, such as the Chinese and Kiribati, may obtain citizenship through naturalization. Kiribati or ( kirr-i-bas or KEE-ree-buhss ˈkiɾibas in Gilbertese) officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an Island nation located in Land generally is still held on a family or village basis and may be handed down from mother or father according to local custom. The islanders are reluctant to provide land for nontraditional economic undertakings, and this has resulted in continual disputes over land ownership.

No military forces are maintained by the Solomon Islands, although a police force of nearly 500 includes a border protection unit. The police also are responsible for fire service, disaster relief, and maritime surveillance. The police force is headed by a commissioner, appointed by the governor-general and responsible to the prime minister. On 27 December 2006, the Solomon Islands Government said it had taken steps to prevent the country's Australian police chief from returning to the Pacific nation. Events 537 - The Hagia Sophia is completed 1512 - The Spanish Crown issues the Laws of Burgos, governing the Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. On 12 January 2007, Australia replaced its top diplomat expelled from the Solomon Islands for political interference in a conciliatory move aimed at easing a four-month dispute between the two countries. Events 475 - Basiliscus becomes Byzantine Emperor, with a coronation ceremony in the Hebdomon palace in Constantinople Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

On 11 July 2007, the Solomon Islands swore Julian Moti in as their Attorney General. Events 911 - Signing of the Treaty of Saint-Clair-sur-Epte between Charles the Simple and Rollo of Normandy. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Julian Moti QC CSI is the former Attorney General of the Solomon Islands. Moti is currently wanted in Australia for child-related sex offences. Australian Prime Minister John Howard called the move "quite extraordinary". See also Howard Government John Winston Howard AC (born 26 July 1939 was the 25th Prime Minister of Australia from 11 March Australia's Foreign Minister Alexander Downer has described the country as the "laughing stock" of the civilised world. Alexander John Gosse Downer (born 9 September 1951 is an Australian Liberal politician who was Foreign Minister of Australia from March 1996 to December ^[6] However the Australian charges against Moti relate to events in Vanuatu, and parallel charges which the courts in Vanuatu dismissed in the 1990s. Julian Moti has attracted Australian attention because he advised the Solomons Government to inquire into the role of Australian police in provoking the 2006 Honiara riots.

On 13 December 2007, Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare was toppled by a vote of no confidence in Parliament,^[7] following the defection of five Ministers to the Opposition. Events 1294 - Saint Celestine V abdicates the papacy after only five months Celestine hoped to return to his previous life Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare (born January 17, 1955) was the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands from 2000 to 2001 and again from 2006 to A motion of no confidence (also vote of no confidence, censure motion, no-confidence motion, or confidence motion) is a Parliamentary motion It was the first time a Prime Minister lost office in this way in the Solomon Islands. On 20 December, Parliament elected the Opposition's candidate (and former Minister for Education) Derek Sikua as Prime Minister, with 32 votes to 15. David Derek Sikua (born October 10 1959) has been the Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands since December 20 2007 ^{[8] [9]}

Provinces

Map of the Solomon Islands

Main article: Provinces of the Solomon Islands

For local government, the country is divided into 10 administrative areas, of which nine are provinces administered by elected provincial assemblies, and the 10th is the town of Honiara, administered by the Honiara Town Council. ||}The Solomon Islands are currently divided into 9 Provinces The national capital Honiara, on the island of Guadalcanal is separately governed as Capital Territory

• Central
• Choiseul
• Guadalcanal
• Honiara, Town
• Isabel
• Makira-Ulawa
• Malaita
• Rennell and Bellona
• Temotu
• Western

Foreign relations

Main article: Foreign relations of the Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands is a member of the United Nations, Commonwealth, South Pacific Commission, South Pacific Forum, International Monetary Fund, and the European Economic Community/African, Caribbean, Pacific Group (EEC/ACP)/(Lome Convention). The Central Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands, covering the Russell Islands, Nggella ( Florida Islands) The Choiseul Province is one of the nine provinces of the Solomon Islands. Guadalcanal Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands, consisting of the island of Guadalcanal. Honiara, population 49107 (1999 54600 (2003 est is the Capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered Isabel Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. Makira-Ulawa Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. Malaita Province is one of the largest provinces of the Solomon Islands. Rennell and Bellona is a province of the Solomon Islands comprised of two inhabited Atolls Rennell and Bellona or Mu Nggava Temotu is the easternmost province of the Solomon Islands. The province was formerly known as Santa Cruz Islands Province Western Province is one of the provinces of the Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands ' Foreign policy As of 2008 was described by the Solomons' government as a "look north" policy aimed as strengthening diplomatic The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security The Secretariat of the Pacific Community, or SPC (sometimes Pacific Community) is a regional intergovernmental organisation whose membership includes both nations The Pacific Islands Forum is an inter-governmental Organization which aims to enhance cooperation between the independent countries of the Pacific The International Monetary Fund ( IMF) is an International organization that oversees the Global financial system by following the Macroeconomic

The political stage of the Solomon Islands is further influenced by its diplomatic importance to the Republic of China on Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. The Republic of China (ROC, whose jurisdiction is now constituted by the islands of Taiwan, Pescadores, Kinmen, the Matsu Islands and some other The Foreign relations of the People's Republic of China draw upon traditions extending back to imperial China in the Qing Dynasty The Solomon Islands gives diplomatic recognition to the ROC, recognizing it as the sole-legitimate Government of all of China, giving Taiwan vital votes in the United Nations. Diplomatic recognition in international law is a unilateral political act with domestic and international legal consequences whereby a state acknowledges an act The United Nations ( UN) is an International organization whose stated aims are to facilitate cooperation in International law, International security Lucrative investments, political funding and preferential loans from both the ROC and PRC are increasingly manipulating the political landscape of the Solomon Islands.

Relations with Papua New Guinea, which had become strained because of an influx of refugees from the Bougainville rebellion and attacks on the northern islands of the Solomon Islands by elements pursuing Bougainvillean rebels, have been repaired. Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania Bougainville is part of Papua New Guinea. Geographically, Bougainville is included in the chain of islands known as the Solomon Islands in Melanesia A peace accord on Bougainville confirmed in 1998 has removed the armed threat, and the two nations regularized border operations in a 2004 agreement.

Military

Although the locally-recruited British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force was part of Allied forces taking part in fighting in the Solomons during World War II, the country has not had any regular military forces since independence. The British Solomon Islands Protectorate Defence Force (BSIPDF was the British colonial Military force of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate The Allies of World War II were the countries officially opposed to the Axis powers during the Second World War. The various paramilitary elements of the Royal Solomon Islands Police (RSIP) were disbanded in 2003 following the intervention of the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), and the RSIP was disarmed. RAMSI has a small military detachment headed by an Australian commander with responsibilities for assisting the police element of RAMSI in internal and external security. The RSIP still operates two patrol boats (RSIPV Auki and RSIPV Lata) which constitute the navy of the Solomon Islands.

In the long-term it is anticipated that the RSIP will resume the defense role. The police force is headed by a commissioner, appointed by the governor general and responsible to the prime minister. The term governor general or governor-general refers to a vice-regal representative of a Monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription

The police budget of the Solomon Islands has been strained due to a four-year civil war. A civil war is a War between a State and domestic political actors that are in control of some part of the territory claimed by the state Following Cyclone Zoe's strike on the islands of Tikopia and Anuta in December 2002, Australia had to provide the Solomon Islands government with 200,000 Solomons ($50,000 Australian) for fuel and supplies for the patrol boat Lata to sail with relief supplies. Cyclone Zoe is the most intense Tropical cyclone ever observed in the Southern Hemisphere Tikopia is a small and High island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Anuta is a small High island in the southeastern part of the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. (Part of the work of RAMSI includes assisting the Solomon Islands Government to stabilise its budget. The Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI also known as Operation Helpem Fren, was created in 2003 in response to a request for international aid by the )

• Equipment:

- Pandur 6X6 APC

Geography

Main article: Geography of the Solomon Islands

The Florida Islands from the air. The Solomon Islands are a wide island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, that lies east of Papua New Guinea and consists of many islands Choiseul, Photo by Jim Lounsbury

The Solomon Islands is a wide island nation that lies East of Papua New Guinea and consists of many islands: Choiseul, the Shortland Islands; the New Georgia Islands; Santa Isabel; the Russell Islands; Nggela (the Florida Islands); Malaita; Guadalcanal; Sikaiana; Maramasike; Ulawa; Uki; Makira (San Cristobal); Santa Ana; Rennell and Bellona; the Santa Cruz Islands and three remote, tiny outliers, Tikopia, Anuta, and Fatutaka. Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania Choiseul Island is the largest island (2 971 km² of the Choiseul Province, Solomon Islands, at. The Shortland Islands are group of islands belonging to the Western Province of the Solomon Islands, at. The New Georgia Islands are part of the Western Province of the Solomon Islands. Santa Isabel Island is the longest in the Solomon Islands, South Pacific, and the largest in Isabel Province. See also Russell Island. The Russell Islands are two important small islands as well as several Islets of volcanic origin in the The Florida Islands (or Nggela Islands) are a small island group in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands, a nation in the western Pacific Ocean The Florida Islands (or Nggela Islands) are a small island group in the Central Province of the Solomon Islands, a nation in the western Pacific Ocean Malaita is the largest island of the Malaita Province in the Solomon Islands. Guadalcanal (local name Isatabu) is a 2510- Square mile (6500- km²) Island in the Pacific Ocean and a province of the Solomon Sikaiana formerly called Stewart Islands is a small atoll 212 km NE of Malaita. South Malaita Island, also known as Small Malaita and Maramasike, is a large island at the southern tip of the larger island of Malaita in the eastern part The island of Makira (formerly San Cristobal) is the largest island of Makira-Ulawa Province in the Solomon Islands. The island of Makira (formerly San Cristobal) is the largest island of Makira-Ulawa Province in the Solomon Islands. Rennell and Bellona is a province of the Solomon Islands comprised of two inhabited Atolls Rennell and Bellona or Mu Nggava The Santa Cruz Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. Tikopia is a small and High island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Anuta is a small High island in the southeastern part of the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. Fatutaka or Fatu Taka is a small High island in the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. The distance between the westernmost and easternmost islands is about 1,500 kilometres (930 mi). A mile is a unit of Length, usually used to measure Distance, in a number of different systems including Imperial units United States The Santa Cruz Islands (of which Tikopia is part), are situated north of Vanuatu and are especially isolated at more than 200 kilometres (120 mi) from the other islands. Tikopia is a small and High island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu ( French: République de Vanuatu, Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu) is an Island Bougainville is geographically part of the Solomon Islands, but politically Papua New Guinea. Bougainville is part of Papua New Guinea. Geographically, Bougainville is included in the chain of islands known as the Solomon Islands in Melanesia Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania

The islands' ocean-equatorial climate is extremely humid throughout the year, with a mean temperature of 27 °C (80 °F) and few extremes of temperature or weather. June through August is the cooler period. Though seasons are not pronounced, the northwesterly winds of November through April bring more frequent rainfall and occasional squalls or cyclones. The annual rainfall is about 3050 mm (120 in).

The Solomon Islands archipelago is part of two distinct terrestrial ecoregions. An archipelago (ɑrkəˈpɛləgoʊ is a chain or cluster of Islands The word archipelago literally means "chief Sea " from Italian An ecoregion ( ecological region) sometimes called a bioregion, is an ecologically and geographically defined area smaller than a "realm" or " Most of the islands are part of the Solomon Islands rain forests ecoregion, which also includes the islands of Bougainville and Buka, which are part of Papua New Guinea, these forests have come under pressure from forestry activities. The Solomon Islands rain forests are a Terrestrial ecoregion which includes most of the Solomon Islands (except the Santa Cruz Islands) and the islands Bougainville is part of Papua New Guinea. Geographically, Bougainville is included in the chain of islands known as the Solomon Islands in Melanesia Papua New Guinea (or ˈpæpjuːə in Tok Pisin: Papua Niugini) officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania The Santa Cruz Islands are part of the Vanuatu rain forests ecoregion, together with the neighboring archipelago of Vanuatu. The Santa Cruz Islands are a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean, part of Temotu Province of the Solomon Islands. The Vanuatu rain forests are a Terrestrial ecoregion that includes the islands of Vanuatu, as well as the Santa Cruz Islands group of the neighboring Vanuatu, officially the Republic of Vanuatu ( French: République de Vanuatu, Bislama: Ripablik blong Vanuatu) is an Island Soil quality ranges from extremely rich volcanic (there are volcanoes with varying degrees of activity on some of the larger islands) to relatively infertile limestone. Plate tectonics and hotspots Divergent plate boundaries At the More than 230 varieties of orchids and other tropical flowers brighten the landscape.

The islands contain several active and dormant volcanoes. The Tinakula and Kavachi volcanoes are the most active.

Economy

Main article: Economy of the Solomon Islands

Its per capita GDP of $600 ranks Solomon Islands as a lesser developed nation, and more than 75% of its labor force is engaged in subsistence and fishing. A per capita GDP of $340 ranks Solomon Islands as a lesser developed nation Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. Until 1998, when world prices for tropical timber fell steeply, timber was Solomon Islands main export product, and, in recent years, Solomon Islands forests were dangerously overexploited. Other important cash crops and exports include copra and palm oil. Copra is the dried meat or kernel of the Coconut. The name copra is derived from the Malayalam word kopra for dried coconut Palm oil is an edible plant oil derived from the Fruit of the Arecaceae Elaeis Oil palm. In 1998 Ross Mining of Australia began producing gold at Gold Ridge on Guadalcanal. Gold Ridge is a mine located at 9°36’S 160°08’E in 30 km SE of Honiara, Solomon Islands. Minerals exploration in other areas continued. However in the wake of the ethnic violence in June 2000, exports of palm oil and gold ceased while exports of timber fell. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. A mineral is a naturally occurring substance formed through geological processes that has a characteristic chemical composition a highly ordered atomic structure and specific Characteristics Lead has a dull luster and is a dense, Ductile, very soft highly Zinc (ˈzɪŋk from Zink is a Metallic Chemical element with the symbol Zn and Atomic number 30 Nickel (ˈnɪkəl is a metallic Chemical element with the symbol Ni and Atomic number 28 Gold (ˈɡoʊld is a Chemical element with the symbol Au (from its Latin name aurum) and Atomic number 79

Solomon Islands' fisheries also offer prospects for export and domestic economic expansion. However, a Japanese joint venture, Solomon Taiyo Ltd. , which operated the only fish cannery in the country, closed in mid-2000 as a result of the ethnic disturbances. Though the plant has reopened under local management, the export of tuna has not resumed. Negotiations are underway which may lead to the eventual reopening of the Gold Ridge mine and the major oil-palm plantation.

Tourism, particularly diving, is an important service industry for Solomon Islands. Growth in that industry is hampered, however, by lack of infrastructure and transportation limitations.

The Solomon Islands Government was insolvent by 2002. Since the RAMSI intervention in 2003, the government has recast its budget, and has taken a hard look at priorities. It has consolidated and renegotiated its domestic debt and with Australian backing, is now seeking to renegotiate its foreign obligations. Principal aid donors are Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, Japan, and the Republic of China.

Recently, the Solomons courts have re-approved the export of live dolphins for profit, most recently to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. This practice was originally stopped by the government in 2004 after international uproar over a shipment of 28 live dolphins to Mexico. The move has resulted in criticism from both Australia and New Zealand as well as several conservation organisations.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of the Solomon Islands

As of 2006 the majority 552,438 people on the Solomon Islands are ethnically Melanesian (94. The Solomon Islanders comprise diverse cultures languages and customs Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Melanesia (from Greek: μέλας black, νῆσος island) means "islands of the black-skinned people" 5%), Polynesian (3%) and Micronesian (1. Polynesia (from Greek: πολύς many, νῆσος island) is a Subregion of Oceania, comprising a large grouping of over Micronesia, from the Greek mikros (μικρός (meaning small) and nesos (νῆσος (meaning island) is a Subregion 2%) are the two other significant groups. ^[10]

There were 74 languages spoken in the Solomon Islands, although four of these are extinct. ^[11] On the central islands, Melanesian languages (predominantly of the Southeast Solomonic group) are spoken, on the outliers Rennell and Bellona to the south, Tikopia, Anuta and Fatutaka to the far east, Sikaiana to the north east, and Luaniua (Ontong Java Atoll, Lord Howe Atoll) to the north, Polynesian languages. The Melanesian languages are the indigenous languages of Melanesia. The family of Southeast Solomonic languages is a branch of the Central-Eastern Oceanic languages. The local name for Rennell Island is Mungava and is the main island of two inhabited islands that make up the Rennell and Bellona Province in the Solomon Islands Tikopia is a small and High island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. Anuta is a small High island in the southeastern part of the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. Fatutaka or Fatu Taka is a small High island in the Solomon Islands province of Temotu. Sikaiana formerly called Stewart Islands is a small atoll 212 km NE of Malaita. Ontong Java redirects here For the undersea plateau see Ontong Java Plateau. The Polynesian languages are a Language family spoken in the region known as Polynesia. Immigrant populations of Gilbertese (i-Kiribati) and Tuvaluans speak Micronesian languages. Kiribati or ( kirr-i-bas or KEE-ree-buhss ˈkiɾibas in Gilbertese) officially the Republic of Kiribati, is an Island nation located in Tuvalu, formerly known as the Ellice Islands, is a Polynesian Island nation located in the Pacific Ocean midway between Hawaii and The family of Micronesian languages is a branch of the Central-Eastern Oceanic languages. While English is the official language, only 1-2% of the population speak English; the lingua franca is Solomons Pijin. English is a West Germanic language originating in England and is the First language for most people in the United Kingdom, the United States A lingua franca (from Italian, literally meaning Frankish language, see etymology under Sabir and Italian below is any Language widely

Religion

Main article: Religion in the Solomon Islands

The religion of Solomon Islands is about 97% Christian with following denominations: the Anglican Church of Melanesia 32. Approximately 92 percent of the population is affiliated with one of the following Christian churches Anglican, 35 percent Roman Catholic, 19 percent South Seas Evangelical Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings The Church of the Province of Melanesia is part of the Anglican Communion, and includes 8 dioceses 8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical Church 17%, Seventh-day Adventist 11. The South Seas Evangelical Church ( SSEC) is an evangelical, Pentecostal Church in the Solomon Islands. The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated " Adventist " Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished mainly by its observance 2%, United Church 10. The United Church in Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands is a merged denomination dating from 1968 consisting of the former London Missionary Society (operating exclusively 3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2. 4%, other Christian 4. 4%. The remaining 2. 9% practice indigenous religious beliefs and other faiths such as the Bahá'í Faith. The Bahá'í Faith is a Religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in nineteenth-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind ^[12] According to the most recent reports, Islam in the Solomon Islands is made up of approximately 350 Muslims. The United States Department of State's International Religious Freedom Report states that according to the most recent reports there are approximately 350 Muslims in the Solomon ^[13]

Culture

A Malaitan Chief.

Main article: Culture of the Solomon Islands

In the traditional culture of the Solomon Islands, age-old customs are handed down from one generation to the next, allegedly from the ancestral spirits themselves, to form the cultural values to Solomon Islands. In the traditional culture of the Solomon Islands, age-old customs are handed down from one generation to the next allegedly from the ancestral spirits themselves to form the cultural

The most popular sport in the Solomon Islands is cricket.

Radio is the most influential type of media in the Solomons Islands due to language differences and illiteracy. ^[14] the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) operates public radio services, including the national stations Radio Happy Isles and Wantok FM, and the provincial stations Radio Happy Lagoon and Radio Temotu. Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation is the official Radio and Television broadcaster of the Solomon Islands. There is one commercial station, PAOA FM, that broadcasts in the Solomons. There is one daily newspaper Solomon Star (www. solomonstarnews. com) and one daily online news website Solomon Times Online (www. solomontimes. com), 2 weekly papers Solomons Voice and Solomon Times, and 2 monthly papers Agrikalsa Nius and the Citizen's Press. There are no TV services based in the Solomon Islands, although satellite TV stations can be received. There is free-to-air access to ABC Asia Pacific (from Australia's ABC) and BBC World. The Australia Network, originally Australia Television and later ABC Asia Pacific, is a Free-to-air international satellite television service

Solomon Islands writers include the novelists Rexford Orotaloa and John Saunana and the poet Jully Sipolo. Rexford Orotaloa (born 1956 is a Solomon Islands writer best known for the novel Two Times Resurrection and the story collection Suremada Faces from a Solomon

See also: Music of the Solomon Islands

See also

• Lau Lagoon
• States headed by Elizabeth II

References

• Alcohol and Drug Use in Honiara, Solomon Islands: A Cause for Concern

External links

This article incorporates public domain text from the websites of the United States Department of State & CIA World Factbook. The World Factbook ( ISSN; also known as the CIA World Factbook) is an annual publication of the Central Intelligence Agency of the

• Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet
• Department of Commerce, Industries and Employment
• Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
• The People First Network, PFnet from the Ministry of Provincial Government and Rural Development
• The Solomon Star daily newspaper
• Solomon Times online newspaper
• Medals and awards of the Solomon Islands
• History of Anglicanism in Oceania
• 1912 Catholic Encyclopedia - Solomon Islands
• Exploring Solomons Travel Wiki with information on bushwalking, mountain biking, camping, kayaking and village stays
• Solomon Islands Travel Guide
• Some photos from the Solomon Islands Online gallery on Pbase. com
• Robert Viking O'Brien's retelling of a Solomon Islands folktale with the original in Pijin