Solomon Islands is an island country located east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia, in the South Pacific Ocean. The country includes six major islands and more than 900 smaller islands, out of which almost half are uninhabited.
The main islands are Guadalcanal , New Georgia, Malaita, Choiseul, Santa Isabel, and San Cristobal. The double chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls are mountainous and forested.
History of Solomon Islands
It is estimated that the earliest recorded human habitation was from 1300-1000 BC. This shows from carbon dating remains in a cave of Guadalcanal.
The first Papuan settlement came from New Guinea, almost 30,000 years ago.
In 1568, a Spanish explorer – Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, found gold on Guadalcanal and thought of it as a source of King Solomon’s wealth and later named it ‘The Islands of Solomon’.
In 1942, Japanese forces occupied the islands and some of the horrid fighting of World War II happened here for 3 years.
The Islands gained self-government in 1976 and got independence on 7 July, 1978. It is a member of the British Commonwealth.
People of Solomon Islands
The population of the islands was around 652,900 in 2018.
English is the official language here but hardly any of the residents speak English.
It’s estimated that over 70 different languages are spoken here like Solomons Pijin or Marovo. The languages are influenced by English and other Melanesian languages.
More than 90% residents follow Christianity. But, there is quite a religious freedom for people. They follow many different beliefs and face no religious discrimination.
Solomon Islands Facts
Guadalcanal is the largest island and home to Honiara, which is the capital of the country.
Mount Popomanaseu, a volcanic mountain, is the highest mountain on the islands. It stands tall at 2,335 m (7,661 ft) and is one of the highest peaks in the South Pacific.
The pristine beaches of the island take up almost 5,313 kilometres in length. The amazing coral reefs here make it one of the best diving sites in the world.
The islands boast of the Marovo Lagoon, one of the largest saltwater lagoons, in the New Georgia Islands. It is bordered by the New Georgia and Vangunu Islands.
Rennell, near Lake Tegano, is the largest raised coral atoll in the world. East Rennell is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as it preserves many endemic species.
The islands have an active submarine volcano known as Rejo te Kavachi, after the sea god of the new Georgia Group Islanders.
Education is not compulsory here, hence the islands have a very low literacy rate. There are limited options for education and very low attendance or completion rates.
The island people don’t usually divide the meals between breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They eat it when they are hungry. Their diet includes rice, yams, panas, taros, fish, and others.
Usually, they don’t drink alcohol or cocktails. Water and coconut drinks are a staple.