World Country Guide

General Information

Area
27,556 sq km (10,639 sq miles).

Population
450,000 (estimate 2001).

Population Density
16.3 per sq km (2001).

Capital
Honiara. Population: 50,000 (2000).

Geography
The Solomon Islands Archipelago is scattered in the southwestern Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. The group comprises most of the Solomon Islands (those in the northwest are part of Papua New Guinea), the Ontong Java Islands, Rennell Island and the Santa Cruz Islands, which lie further to the east. The larger of the islands are 145 to 193km (90 to 120 miles) in length, while the smallest are no more than coral outcrops. The terrain is generally quite rugged, with foothills that rise gently to a peak and then fall away steeply to the sea on the other side. The capital Honiara is situated on Guadalcanal Island, which also has the highest mountain, Mount Makarakombu, at 2447m (8028ft). There are a number of dormant volcanoes scattered throughout the archipelago.

Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1978. Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Nathaniel Waen since 2004. Head of Government: Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza since 2001.

Language
English is the official language. Pidgin English and over 80 different local dialects are also spoken.

Religion
More than 95 per cent of the population are Christian; the rest mostly hold traditional beliefs.

Time
GMT + 11.

Electricity
230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-type flat three-pin plugs are in use.

Communications

Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 677. Outgoing international code: 00. There are no area codes. There are often technical problems with line connections.

Mobile telephone
GSM 900 network provided by Solomon Telekom Company (website: www.solomon.com.sb). Visitors can hire mobile phones on the islands; payment is preferred in cash (US/AUS/NZ currencies are accepted).

Fax
Solomon Telekom provides services at its offices in Honiara (PO Box 148, Honiara; tel: 21576; fax: 23110) and some hotels have facilities.

Internet
Main ISP is Solomon Telekom. Public e-mail facilities are available in Gizo and Honiara.

Telegram
Services available 24 hours a day administered by Solomon Telekom.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes approximately seven days. Main post office hours (in Honiara): Mon-Fri 0900-1630, Sat 0900-1100. Other post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1630, Sat 0800-1200.

Press
The main newspapers are the daily English-language Solomon Star and Solomons Voice.

Radio
BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.