SOLOMON ISLANDS
Background
Solomon Islands is an archipelago consisting of a double chain of rocky islands and some small coral islands; the rocky islands are remarkable for their steep rugged mountains, of which the highest, Makarakomburu, on Guadalcanal Island, rises to 2,293m. Some 79 % of Solomon Islands is covered by forest, though this area declined at 0.2% p.a. 1990–2010.
Key facts
Joined Commonwealth: 1978
Population: 561,000 (2013)
GDP: p.c. growth: 0.5% p.a. 1990–2013
UN HDI: 2014: world ranking 157
Official language: English
Timezone: GMT plus 11hr
Currency: Solomon Islands dollar (SI$)
Geography
Area: 28,370 sq km
Coastline: 5,310km
Capital city: Honiara
The major islands are Guadalcanal, Choiseul, Santa Isabel, New Georgia, Malaita and Makira (or San Cristobal). Vanuatu is the nearest neighbour to the south-east where the archipelago tapers off into a series of smaller islands and its nearest neighbour to the west is Papua New Guinea.
The country comprises the capital territory of Honiara and nine provinces, namely Central (provincial capital Tulagi), Choiseul (Taro Island), Guadalcanal (Honiara), Isabel (Buala), Makira and Ulawa (Kirakira), Malaita (Auki), Rennell and Bellona (Tigoa), Temotu (Lata), Western (Gizo).
Main towns
Honiara (capital, pop. 63,300 in 2010) on Guadalcanal, Auki (6,800) on Malaita, Munda (4,900) on New Georgia, Gizo (4,500) on Gizo in the New Georgia Islands, Uruuru (3,300) on Malaita, Buala (2,800) on Santa Isabel, Yandina (2,600) on Mbanika in the Russell Islands, Kirakira (2,000) on Makira, Tulagi (1,700) on Nggela Sule, Taro Island (1,200), Lata (630) on Ndeni in the Santa Cruz Islands and Tigoa (580) on Rennell and Bellona.
Transportation
There are 1,390 km of roads (mainly on Guadalcanal and Malaita), 2.4 per cent paved, with some 470 km of main roads, the rest of which are private rural-access roads. Solomons’ terrain is mountainous and there is heavy rainfall which makes road conditions unpredictable.
The international ports are Honiara, located on Guadalcanal and Yandina, located on Rennell Island; other significant ports are Gizo and Noro (on New Georgia). Ferries ply between the islands. The international airport is at Henderson Field, 13 km east of Honiara.
Airports
There are 1,390 km of roads (mainly on Guadalcanal and Malaita), 2.4 per cent paved, with some 470 km of main roads, the rest of which are private rural-access roads. Solomons’ terrain is mountainous and there is heavy rainfall which makes road conditions unpredictable.
The international ports are Honiara, located on Guadalcanal and Yandina, located on Rennell Island; other significant ports are Gizo and Noro (on New Georgia). Ferries ply between the islands. The international airport is at Henderson Field, 13 km east of Honiara.
International relations:
Solomon Islands is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States, Pacific Community, Pacific Islands Forum, United Nations and World Trade Organisation.
Topography:
The islands are remarkable for their steep rugged mountains, of which Makarakomburu (on Guadalcanal Island) is the highest at 2,293m. In addition, there are several atolls and reef islands, plus several dormant and two active volcanoes. Her rivers are fast-flowing and not navigable.
Climate:
The climate in the Solomon Islands is qquatorial; hot and humid and during the rainy season (November to April), there are fierce tropical storms like Cyclone Zoë in December 2002, which devastated the isolated islands of Tikopia and Anuta.
Environment:
Deforestation, soil erosion, and that much of the surrounding coral reef is dead or dying are the most significant environmental issues.
Vegetation:
Seventy nine per cent (79%) of the land, is covered by forests, with dense tropical rainforest across most islands, this percentage having declined at 0.2 per cent p.a. 1990–2010. Large tracts of rough grass dominate the northern side of Guadalcanal and Nggela Sule while parts of the coast are swampy, supporting extensive mangrove forests. Elsewhere, the coast is dominated by coconut palms. Hardwoods now grown for timber include mahogany, acacia and teak.
Wildlife:
Indigenous mammals are small and include opossums, bats and mice. From November to February, crocodiles in the mangrove swamps and sea turtles nest on the shores. More than 150 species of birdlife including parrots and incubator birds exist while some 20 mammal species and 20 bird species are thought to be endangered (2014).
Economy:
GNI: US$960m
GNI PC: US$1,610
GDP Growth: 4.2% p.a. 2009–13
Inflation: 5.3% p.a. 2009–13
Agriculture, forestry and fisheries make up the base of the Solomon Islands’ economy and account for around 40 per cent of GDP and provide employment for the majority of the population. GDP grew by 6.4 per cent p.a. 1979–89.
Agricultural resources are limited; only 35 per cent of the land is suitable for cultivation and pressure on land is leading to soil impoverishment. Production can be affected by tropical storms.
COVID-19
A Government Press Release dated 19 April 2020, stated that the Ministry of Health was pleased to finally receive results of the remaining two COVID-19 suspected case samples that were sent to Australia which turned out negative. The test revealed that there was no detection of coronavirus. Solomon Islands has a total of 13 suspected COVID 19 samples with all Negative results bringing the country zero cases to date.
https://solomons.gov.sb/about-solomon-islands/
Recently in May, the SIG gazetted the 2020 Covid-19 Regulation 2 giving the government new powers to address gaps it identified in the original regulation.
Some of the new powers explained by Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare include being able to close a business if it fails to comply with emergency orders and exempting foreign sea vessels from the border closure. The new regulations also allow the government to destroy illegal properties such as betelnut stalls erected in public places.
“The new regulation will also include new authorized officers such as National Disaster Council officers, health inspectors, nurses, and also provide more clarity on powers of the authorized officers,” Manasseh Sogavare said.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/international/pacific-news/416539/new-covid-19-regulations-for-solomon-islands
Constitution:
Status: Monarchy under Queen Elizabeth II
Legislature: National Parliament
Independence: 7 July 1978
Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy, with Queen Elizabeth II as head of state. The Governor-General represents the Queen, who is elected by Parliament and must be a citizen of the country. With 50 seats, the National Parliament is unicameral. Elections are held every four years on the basis of universal adult suffrage. The Prime Minister, who is chosen by Parliament, must be an MP; the cabinet is chosen by the Prime Minister and holds executive power.
https://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/solomon-islands
So Solomons,
So Different
God bless the Solomon Islands
From shore to shore
