top of pageBackground: The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence government malfeasance and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003 then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather
Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls
Natural hazards: typhoons but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earthquakes tremors and volcanic activity; tsunamis
GeographyNote: strategic location on sea routes between the South Pacific Ocean the Solomon Sea and the Coral Sea; on 2 April 2007 an undersea earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter scale occurred 345 km WNW of the capital Honiara; the resulting tsunami devastated coastal areas of Western and Choiseul provinces with dozens of deaths and thousands dislocated; the provincial capital of Gizo was especially hard hit
top of pageEthnic groups: Melanesian 94.5% Polynesian 3% Micronesian 1.2% other 1.1% unspecified 0.2% (1999 census)
Languages: Melanesian pidgin (in much of the country is lingua franca) English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population) 120 indigenous languages
Religions: Protestant 73.7% (Church of Melanesia 32.8% South Seas Evangelical 17% Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2% United Church 10.3% Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%) Roman Catholic 19% other Christian 4.4% other 2.4% unspecified 0.3% none 0.2% (1999 census)
top of pageAdministrative divisions: 9 provinces and 1 capital territory*; Central Choiseul Guadalcanal Honiara* Isabel Makira Malaita Rennell and Bellona Temotu Western
Legal system: mixed legal system of English common law and customary law
Legislative branch: unicameral National Parliament (50 seats; members elected from single-member constituencies by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
Political parties and leaders: Direct Development Party or DDP [Dick HA'AMORI]; People's Alliance Party or PAP [James MEKAB]; People's Congress Party or PCP [Fred FONO]; People's Federation Party or PFP [Rudolf DORA]; Ownership Unity and Responsibility Party or OUR [Manasseh SOGAVARE]; Reform Democratic Party or RDP [Danny PHILIP]; Rural and Urban Political Party or RUPP [Samuel MANETOALI]; Solomon Islands Democratic Party or SIDP [Steve ABANA]; Solomon Islands Liberal Party or SILP [Derek SIKUA]; Solomon Islands National Party or SINP [Francis HILLY]; Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA [Job D. TAUSINGA]; United Party [Sir Peter KENILOREA]
International organization participation: ACP ADB AOSIS C EITI (candidate country) ESCAP FAO G-77 IBRD ICAO ICRM IDA IFAD IFC IFRCS ILO IMF IMO IOC ITU MIGA OPCW PIF Sparteca SPC UN UNCTAD UNESCO UPU WFTU WHO WMO WTO
Flag description: divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green; blue represents the ocean; green the land; and yellow sunshine; the five stars stand for the five main island groups of the Solomon Islands
top of pageEconomy overview: The bulk of the population depends on agriculture fishing and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead zinc nickel and gold. Prior to the arrival of RAMSI severe ethnic violence the closing of key businesses and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds.
Agriculture products: cocoa coconuts palm kernels rice potatoes vegetables fruit; cattle pigs; fish; timber
Imports: $360.3 million (2010 est.)
Rank: 193
Commodities: food plant and equipment manufactured goods fuels chemicals
Partners: Australia 27% Singapore 26.1% China 6.4% Malaysia 5.8% NZ 5% (2011)
Exchange rates:
Solomon Islands dollars (SBD) per US dollar -
7.359 (2012 est.)
7.6413 (2011 est.)
8.0645 (2010 est.)
top of pagetop of pageBroadcast media: Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) is the sole TV broadcaster with 1 station; multi-channel pay-TV is available; SIBC operates 2 national radio stations and 2 provincial stations; 2 local commercial radio stations; Radio Australia is available via satellite feed (2009)
top of pagetop of pagetop of pageDisputes international: since 2003 Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands consisting of police military and civilian advisors drawn from 15 countries has assisted in reestablishing and maintaining civil and political order while reinforcing regional stability and security
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