Solomon Islands

Quick Facts

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Capital

Honiara

Government

Parliamentary Democracy

Nationality

Solomon Islander

Population

509,000

Languages

Pijin, English

Religions

Christianity (Protestant, Catholic)

Currency

Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD)

Calling Code

+677

Time Zone

UTC+11

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Introduction

Nudibranch

© All Rights Reserved Sander938

Until a century back, Solomon Islanders were about as fond of foreigners as cats of dogs. Well-meaning missionaries had a habit of ending up dead, regularly in the stomachs of the islanders. Thankfully, fear of foreigners has subsided and Solomon Islanders are a lot more open and a lot less human-hungry. Granted, ancient traditions still persist, particularly in the form of taboo, so a certain amount of cultural sensitivity is required.

WWII played out in the Solomon Islands in a particularly bloody manner, as Guadalcanal was deemed strategic by both Japanese and Allied forces. WWII wreckages are common, both on land and submerged. This is the primary reason for the Solomon Islands' status as one of the best diving grounds in the world. But for those less aquatically-inclined, local culture and gorgeous scenery are sufficient incentive for enjoying a holiday here.

Brief History

A wave of early settlers in the Solomons is believed to have started around 30,000 BCE, first with Papuan speaking settlers, then followed by Austronesian speakers around 4,000 BCE and finally the Polynesians somewhere between 1,200 and 800 BCE. The Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, was the first European to discover the islands in 1568. When he found alluvial gold on Guadalcanal, he believed he had found the source of King Solomon's gold and named the country the Solomon Islands.

The United Kingdom declared a protectorate over the islands in 1893, forming the basis of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate. Christian missionaries settled in the Solomons under the protectorate and successfully converted most of the population.

World War II saw intense fighting taking place in the Solomon Islands. In 1942, Japanese forces landed in several areas in the Solomons and began construction of several naval and air bases. Allied forces fought major battles in the following months and years, including the strategically significant Battle of Guadalcanal. Dozens of ships were sunk in the stretch of water between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island, an area that became known as Ironbottom Sound.

Following World War II, a series of unsuccessful independence campaigns ensued. Eventually, the Solomons gained independence in 1978 and elected their first government in 1980.

In late 1998, the Isatabu Freedom Movement, a group of militants from Guadalcanal started violently intimidating Malaitan settlers, forcing them to flee to the capital or back to Malaita by the thousands. Malaitans responded in 1999 by setting up the Malaita Eagle Force. Violence continued until 2003, when a regional peacekeeping force led by Australia intervened and renewed relative calm to the country. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) continues to assist in maintaining law and order in the Solomons.

Geography

A total of 922 islands make up this 27,556 km² archipelago that stretches 1800 kms from the Shortlands in the east to Tikopia in the west and nearly 900km from Rennell in the south to Ontong Java in the north. Of these 922 islands, there are 6 large ones (Choiseul, Isabel, Guadalcanal, Makira, Malaita and New Georgia), about 20 medium-size ones and numerous smaller ones. 347 of the islands are inhabited.

The Solomon Islands shares sea borders with Papua New Guinea to the north-east and Vanuatu to the south-west. Australia is 1860 kms south-west.

There are several volcanoes on the islands, of which several are active. The volcanoes of Tinakula, 40 kms off Santa Cruz island and Kavachi, off Vangunu Island are most active.

Provinces

• Central Province incorporates the Russell and Florida Islands.
• Choiseul Province includes the islands of Choiseul, Taro and Vaghena
• Guadalcanal Province consists of Guadalcanal Island, where the capital Honiara is located.
• Isabel Province includes the islands of Santa Isabel and San Jorge.
• Makira-Ulawa Province includes the island of Makira (San Cristobal), the Olu Malau Islands (Three Sisters Islands) and the islands of Ulawa, Uki Ni Masi, Owaraha (Santa Ana) and Owariki.
• Malaita Province
• Rennell and Bellona Province incorporating the islands of Rennell and Bellona.
• Temotu Province includes the Santa Cruz Islands, Reef Islands, Duff Islands (Pileni Taumako) and the islands of Tikopia, Anuta (Anua) and Fatutaka
• Western Province consists of the Shortland Islands, the Treasury Islands and the New Georgia Group. It is the Solomon Islands' tourism hotspot, popular for its excellent diving and scenic islands.

Towns

• Honiara, the country's capital and the hub of all activity. It is by far the largest town in the Solomons with a population of just over 50,000.
• Gizo is the second largest town in the Solomons (population ~6000) and the provincial capital of the Western Province. There are quite a few resorts and diving operations in the Western Province, making this a popular tourism destination.
• Noro is a town in the Western Province.
• Auki is the largest town on Malaita and the regional capital.
• Tulagi, in Central Province, was the capital until after World War II

Sights and Activities

Diving

A combination of beautiful coral reefs and numerous World War II wrecks, make the Solomon Islands a great place for diving. The Kinugawa Maru at Bonegi Beach is partially above water and can also easily be swum around by snorkellers. The appropriately named Ironbottom Sound has over a dozen wrecks to explore.

National Museum & Cultural Centre

The National Museum & Cultural Centre in Honiara is a good place to go and learn about the local culture. There are also several traditional houses constructed behind the museum, each in the style of a different province. Location: Mendana Ave, Honiara. Ph: (677) 22098 . Open Mon-Fri 8am-4:30pm, Sat 8am-12pm

Mataniko and Tenaru Falls

The Mataniko and Tenaru Falls are both spectacular waterfalls on Guadalcanal. Mataniko's cave was a hideout for the Japanese during WWII. Both falls require a decent walk to access them.

Other Attractions

• Lake Te'Nggano on Rennell is the South Pacific's largest expanse of fresh water and home to a myriad of rare flora and fauna. Unfortunately, its remote location and poor transport connections make it a difficult site to access.

Events and Festivals

National public holidays in the Solomon Islands are as follows:

• New Year's Day, January 1
• Good Friday to Easter Monday
• Queen's Birthday, June 10
• Independence Day, July 7
• Christmas Day, December 25
• National Day of Thanksgiving, December 26

Each province also celebrates its own Province Day. Those dates are as follows:

• Choiseul Province, Feb 25
• Isabel Province, Jun 2
• Temotu Province, Jun 8
• Central Province, Jun 29
• Rennell and Bellona Province, Jul 20
• Guadalcanal Province, Aug 1
• Makira-Ulawa Province, Aug 3
• Malaita Province, Aug 15
• Western Province, Dec 7

Weather

The Solomon Islands has a tropical climate with temperatures averaging 28 °C in coastal areas. May to November tends to be the drier time of the year. The northwest monsoon season is from November to March, bringing with it warmer and wetter weather and occasional cyclones.

Getting There

By Plane

Honiara International Airport (HIR), formerly known as Henderson Field, is located 10 kms out of the capital Honiara and is the main point of entry into the country. Solomon Airlines provides international connecting flights to Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu and domestic flights throughout the islands.

Newly launched SkyAirWorld flies 5 times weekly between Honiara and Brisbane, Australia. As a result of this new competition, airfares to the Solomons from Australia have dropped significantly.

There is a departure tax at the airport of SI$40. Duty free limits are 250 grams of tobacco, 200 cigarettes, two litres of spirits and any other dutiable goods not exceeding SI$500.

By Boat

Getting Around

By Plane

Solomon Airlines has flights to over 20 airports throughout the islands. The aircraft in use are De Havilland Twin Otters and a Brit Norman Islander. Restrictive baggage limits apply. Planes fly at a fairly low altitude of about 2000m, offering passengers great views of the islands on the way. Refer to the Solomon Airlines website for details on their domestic rates.

Heli Solomons/Air Transport Limited can also take you to otherwise inaccessible destinations by helicopter from Henderson Airport.

By Car

There is a network of roads throughout the Solomons, mostly unpaved. In and around Honiara however, there are some paved roads. Car hire is possible in Honiara, albeit with fairly hefty price tags attached. Hiring a taxi when you need it will usually satisfy your needs. A taxi ride from the airport to anywhere in town costs about S$50

By Bus

Public buses are an economical way of getting around Guadalcanal. A flat fare of S$3 currently applies, although this may be rising due to fuel costs. ^[1]

By Boat

There are boats travelling throughout the Solomons, servicing remote locations that sometimes aren't possible to reach by aircraft. Timetables are rare however and the quality of the boats often leaves much to be desired. You can opt for a cabin or a cheaper spot sleeping on deck.

By Bicycle

Getting a hold of a bicycle can provide a good way of getting around Honiara at least. The town is not large and consequently many locations can easily be reached with a quick bike ride.

Red Tape

American, British, Commonwealth and EEC visitors are granted entry visas for a month on arrival. No fees apply. For a list of nationalities that require a visa for entry, consult this list, provided by the Division of Immigration.

If entering as a visitor, your passport will need to be valid for at least six months after your date of entry, you should have enough money to support your stay and you will need to have a return or onward ticket.

Further enquiries can be made at the Division of Immigration, PO Box G26, Honiara, Solomon Islands. Email: immigration@commerce.gov.sb, Ph:(+677) 22243, Fax: (+677) 22 964 or the nearest consulate.

Money

The Solomon Islands Dollar is the national currency and coins come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, $1 (and rarely used 1 and 2 cent coins). Notes are in denominations 2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100. The currency has been floated since 1979 and its value has been hurt by inflation. One Solomon Islands Dollar (SI$1) is currently worth about 15 Australian cents , 13 US cents and 9 Euro cents (Sep 08). Check Yahoo Finance for current Rates: AUD, USD, EUR

Work

Study

Language

Dozens of different languages are spoken throughout the Solomon Islands. To communicate with each other Pijin English is spoken.

Eat

Sleep

Accommodation choices in the Solomons range from mid-size resorts in Guadalcanal and the Western Province to small bush lodges where you stand every chance of being the only guest at the time.

• Honiara Accommodation
• Western Province Accommodation

Drink

Health

See also: Travel Health

Malaria is the most serious problem to be aware of. Anti-malarial medication is highly recommended, as well as regular use of insect repellents. It is also advisable to have up-to-date immunisations against Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Consult your doctor a few weeks before leaving.

Visitors who have passed through epidemic or disease-infected countries require immunisation.

While there are local clinics scattered throughout the islands, services are limited in remote areas of the Solomons and transport back to Honiara can be time-consuming. Be aware of this if you have any pre-existing conditions that may require immediate specialist attention.

Safety

In 1998 ethnic violence erupted in the Solomon Islands, causing the country to descend into chaos.

The Solomon Islands' government requested outside assistance to resolve the situation. The Australian-led Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) arrived in July 2003 and has helped enforce law and order since then. In 2006, political tensions led to riots in the city centre.

Currently, the country enjoys relative stability and has returned to a degree of normalcy. It is however advisable to avoid any large public demonstrations, which have the potential of turning violent.

Keep Connected

Internet

Don't expect to easily be able to hop on the internet in the Solomons. The remoteness of many of its islands is a hindrance to expansion of any decent network and even on the main island it is a luxury more than anything. There is an internet café called PFnet in Honiara on the 2nd floor of the NPF Plaza.

Phone

The calling code for the Solomon Islands is +677 . No area code is required to reach Honiara. To call out of the Solomon Islands, use the exit code 00, followed by the destination country's calling code.

Post

The main post office is off Mendana Ave in the capital Honiara, open 8:00 am to noon, and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday, as well as Saturday mornings. There is only postal delivery to post office boxes or poste restante.