Characteristics of the Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands map in Russian. Capital of the Solomon Islands, flag, history of the country. Where are the Solomon Islands on the world map. Flora and fauna

SOLOMON ISLANDS

General information

Geographical position. Solomon islands- a state located on 30 islands and many atolls in the south Pacific Ocean, east of New Guinea. The state includes almost the entire group of Solomon Islands, with the exception of the islands of Bougainville and Buka. The largest of them are Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal and Vella Lavella, as well as the Santa Cruz Islands.

Square. The territory of the Solomon Islands covers 27,556 square meters. km.

Main cities Administrative division. The capital of the Solomon Islands is Honiara (39 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 7 provinces.

Political system

Solomon Islands is part of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is the National Parliament.

Relief. The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. Active volcanoes: Balbi, Bagana. The country's highest point, Mount Popomanso (2,331 m), is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of gold, lead, zinc, nickel, and phosphorites

Climate. The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial and very humid. Average monthly temperatures from +26°С to +28°С. Precipitation ranges from 2,500 to 7,500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.

Soils and vegetation. Most of The islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees), savannas are located in the driest places, and mangroves predominate along the shores.

Animal world. The fauna of the Solomon Islands is represented by rats, mice, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and giant frogs.

Population and language

The population of the Solomon Islands is about 441 thousand people, the average population density is about 16 people per 1 sq. km. Ethnic groups: Melanesians - 93%, Polynesians - 4%, Micronesians - 1.5%, Europeans - 0.8%, Chinese - 0.3%. Languages: English (state), pidgin (local dialect based on in English), about 80 local dialects.

Religion

Anglicans - 34%, Evangelicals - 24%, Catholics - 19%, Pagans.

Brief historical sketch

The first European to visit the islands and give them a name was the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568. Northern part archipelago was discovered in 1768 by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. In 1885, the islands came under German control, but in 1893, almost the entire archipelago, with the exception of Bougainville and Boukas, was transferred to Great Britain. After the First World War, Australia received the mandate to govern the islands of Bougainville and Buka, while the southern part remained a British protectorate. The Solomon Islands gained independence on July 7, 1978.

Brief Economic Sketch

The basis of the economy is agriculture. The main crop is the coconut palm; They also cultivate cocoa, bananas, spices, and rice. Fishing. Forestry. Export of fish, timber, copra, cocoa beans, palm oil.

The currency is the Solomon Islands dollar.

The Solomon Islands are an archipelago in the Pacific Ocean located east of New Guinea, part of Melanesia. This archipelago is a state and has its own flag and coat of arms. The archipelago is shown in white on the world map, with Bougainville, the largest of the components, marked not far from where the main group is located.

In contact with

Geographical position

The flag has its own designations. It depicts 4 colors:

  1. blue is water;
  2. green means fertile lands;
  3. yellow is sunlight;
  4. white - 5 stars symbolizing the provinces of the country, over time their number has increased.

The coat of arms also has its own symbolism, but it is not so simple. If you are interested in the meaning of the coat of arms, you can find it by searching for “Coat of Arms. Solomon islands. Wikipedia." Also speaking about symbols, it can be noted that the state has its own motto.

Solomon Islands area

The state consists of 992 islands, which have many volcanoes in their area. They are in a seismic zone, and large islands are very mountaineers. The archipelago, with an area of ​​40.4 thousand square kilometers, consists of 10 big islands and 4 small groups. Some of them still remain uninhabited.

Archipelago history

This archipelago was discovered by the traveler A. Melania de Nera. The islands were named Solomon Islands, in honor of the country of Ofer, in which, according to legend, King Solomon hid his treasures.

In the 1860s. European residents began to explore the entire territory. The Aborigines, realizing this, destroyed everyone who set foot on their lands. In 1893, the Solomon Islands became part of Great Britain. At the beginning of the 20th century, the British began to create the first coconut plantations on the islands. Then some were captured by the Japanese. It was only in 1978 that the Solomon Islands received independence.

The ethnic composition of the state is diverse: Melanesians (90%), Polynesians (3%), Micronesians (1.2%), the rest of the population are Europeans and Chinese.

Climate and nature

The climate in the Solomon Islands is subequatorial, very hot and humid. Winter comes from April to November. The temperature is + 24 - 27°C, and in the summer, from December to March, it rises to + 26 - 32°C. The maximum amount of precipitation falls during the summer. Hurricanes are also common in the summer season. The least precipitation is in Honiara (the capital of the Solomon Islands).

About 80% of the archipelago's area is covered in dense tropical forests. Savannahs are typical for dry areas. There are mangrove forests and swamps on the coasts.

Vegetable the environment is made up of more than 4,500 plant species. 200 species of them are orchids. The fauna of the islands is also diverse: crocodiles, snakes, lizards, giant butterflies, turtles, many insects and a variety of aquatic life. When you search (Solomon Islands photo) you will understand what beautiful nature we are talking. The state is rich in precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, nickel. Therefore, this place attracts investors.

Solomon Islands vacation

If you decide to buy a tour to these islands, then you are definitely a connoisseur of living and natural nature and thrills. The islands attract attention due to the lack of desire to create modern comfort. After all, being among forests, in specially equipped dwellings, is truly paradise. Many tourists prefer to retire to villages where they can enjoy life like the islanders.

One of these villages is Medana Avenue, where there are buildings made of palm leaves and branches, and also, having visited it, you can get acquainted with the rituals and traditions of the archipelago.

For diversity relaxation, you can admire the Mataniko waterfall and visit the Marovo lagoon.

In Internet sources you can find many photographs related to these attractions.

For those who want to enjoy the ocean, time can be devoted to diving and snorkeling. Sank in the ocean during the war a large number of ships. When diving even to a shallow depth, you can see the details of these ships.

Also for fishing lovers, these places will bring indescribable pleasure. The Solomon Archipelago is specially provided with a fish tour; this type of fishing tour is very popular, because fishing is provided in the most favorable places for marine life.

But in this state there is also civilized life. Travel usually starts from the capital, Honiara. This is where the modern world is centered. ​

The first place you can visit is Puento Cruz. According to legend, the explorer-discoverer put a cross there as a symbol of discovery.

Then, it’s worth visiting the unusual building of the National parliament, which has a conical shape and is the center of Honiara.

In the old Government House there now exists National Museum. It contains all the culture and history of the islands. In the vicinity of the museum you can stroll through the park, which is rich in vegetation.

The capital has a library, the archives of which contain more than 600 thousand books.

A tour of the World War II Museum will be very unusual and entertaining, due to the fact that it is not located in a building, but on the street.

All comfortable hotels are located in Honiara. Some hotels are separate resort complexes and provide guide services. Despite the fact that the state has preserved its culture, you can see restaurants, nightclubs, bars, and various other things here. But it is worth noting that the holiday paradise islands, not quite cheap. The price of a hotel room varies from $30 to $400.



Archipelago It is also famous for its holidays. These are: the Spiritual Day Military Parade, which takes place 8 weeks after Easter; and also the Queen's Birthday. But the most memorable and beautiful celebration is the Festival western seas, during it they organize canoe races, fishing competitions and various other competitions and competitions.

These days you can photograph the outfits of the inhabitants of the islands and the inhabitants of the local fauna at photo celebrations.

Since Honiara is the center trade, then when leaving home, you should buy souvenirs. Them on the island great amount. These include figurines and wooden magic balls. Forgetting to visit Central Market, you can deprive yourself of fresh exotic fruits, seafood and bright tropical flowers. But you need to remember that in the Solomon Islands it is not customary to bargain; this is considered an offensive gesture for traders.

Transport and nuances for vacationers

Another important factor recreation is transport. Someone who doesn't really like hiking, can take a taxi, its price is $1.5 per 1 km, and the price is public transport$0.4. For the convenience of this type of movement, drivers place signs with route maps on their windshields. Or you can purchase a map of the entire city or a specific area.

Vacationers who have chosen such a tour should remember:

  • It is not customary to leave a tip in a cafe; it is better to thank them with a sweet smile and politely say “thank you”
  • pedestrians and drivers do not follow the rules traffic, so you need to be very careful.
  • The export of historical objects is prohibited.
  • It is worth purchasing medications in advance, this may cause problems.
  • Currency that is imported into the territory must be declared.

Holidays in the Solomon Islands can be very enjoyable if you follow these rules.

The Solomon Islands are an archipelago located in Middle Oceania. The westernmost point of the archipelago - the Autonomous Region of Bougainville belongs to Papua -, and the rest of the islands belongs to the state of the same name, the Solomon Islands.

The total length of the archipelago is 1,100 kilometers and the width is 600 kilometers. The total land area of ​​the Solomon Islands is approximately 40,000 square kilometers.

Story

The appearance of the first people on the islands occurred during the Paleolithic period, about 28,000 years ago. The first wave of settlers came from New Guinea, but they settled only on western islands archipelago. The islands were fully populated only by the twentieth century thanks to Europeans.

In 1567, the first expedition to the Solomon Islands took place, led by Alvaro de Mandana. During the expedition, such islands of the archipelago as Ramos, San Jorge, San Dimas, San Marcos, San Cristobal and many others were explored.

Interest in the Solomon Islands was caused by the Inca legend, according to which the Mines of King Solomon and a lot of gold were kept on these islands. Unfortunately, the Spaniards did not find the treasure, but thanks to this, the archipelago got its name.

From the mid-nineteenth century, missionaries became interested in the archipelago; they arrived on the islands with the goal of persuading the natives to Christianity. But no significant progress was made, as other Europeans at this time began to kidnap local residents and force them to work on plantations, because of this, the level of trust between the natives and the missionaries dropped greatly.

From 1863 to 1904, the slave trade flourished in the Pacific Ocean and the inhabitants of the Solomon Islands fully felt this phenomenon, because during this time about 100,000 people were kidnapped or taken into slavery.

In 1970, a Government Council was created on the islands, in 1974 their own constitution appeared, in 1976 the islands achieved self-government, and in 1978 full independence was achieved.

Hurricanes

Various cyclones and hurricanes often come to the archipelago. So in 1992, the island of Tikopia was devastated by a cyclone. And in 2002, another cyclone, Zoya, devastated several islands, isolating about 3,000 people.

Geography

The Solomon Islands consist of two parallel mountain ranges, in an area of ​​high seismic activity. Most large islands consist of volcanoes. The archipelago is dominated by rainforests, swamps, jungle. The shores of the islands are often covered with a fringe of coral reefs. The highest point of the archipelago is Bougainville Island with maximum height 3123 meters.

Climate

The climate is equatorial, average temperature+27 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 3600 mm, and the islands have high humidity. Because of high temperatures and high humidity in the archipelago there is a big problem with malaria mosquitoes.

Almost the entire archipelago is defined as World Fund wildlife. Also, the Solomon Islands are located in the Coral Triangle area.

Solomon Islands Living and Dead

For many centuries, life on the Solomon Islands, scattered by volcanic eruptions across the expanses of the Pacific Ocean, was relatively quiet and peaceful. The tropical diversity of flora and fauna here was complemented by a diverse ethnic picture.
For Europeans this island world discovered by the Spaniards Alvaro Mendaña de Neira (1541-95) and Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa (153-92). It was not customary then to copy complex local names, so the islands were called Solomon, since it seemed to the Spaniards that this was what they were legendary country Ophir, where the treasures of King Solomon were hidden.
Mendaña in 1595 became the founder of the first colony on the islands, but at the same time made a serious mistake: during the development of new lands, one of the local leaders was killed. After this, a war began with the natives, who had not previously been aggressive. Mendaña soon died of nervous strain, and his wife became the leader of the colony, but was soon forced to flee with the remaining soldiers.
The next visit of Europeans to the islands took place in 1767. The Englishman Philip Carteret (1733-96), getting lost in the ocean, ended up in the Solomon Islands.
However, the first European inhabitants began to move to the islands only in the middle of the 19th century. The first settlers were missionaries. An unenviable fate awaited them: they were eaten by the islanders: here cannibalism was part of the rituals. Moreover, human skulls were important sacred symbols and served as money until the beginning of the 20th century!
Realizing that more determined people needed to penetrate the island, the Europeans changed their tactics. First, businessmen strengthened themselves here under the cover of soldiers, then in 1893 England declared its protectorate over the Solomon Islands, and only then it came to missionaries.
During World War II (1939-45), part of the islands was occupied by the Japanese and large and very stubborn battles took place here. The most famous is the battle for the island of Guadalcanal, which began on August 7, 1942 and lasted until February 9, 1943. During the battle on land, on water and in the air, the soldiers showed fierce tenacity, the result was big losses at both sides. Many ships were then sunk and ended up at the bottom of the Sealark Strait, which after these events became known as Iron Bottom (from English “Iron Bottom”). The ship graveyard remains there to this day and attracts divers from all over the world.
The US victory was of strategic importance. Although on some islands Japanese troops continued to fight even after the capitulation of their country in 1945. Post-war reality dictated changes throughout the world. In July 1978, the Solomon Islands gained independence from Great Britain, remaining a member of the British Commonwealth. This organization unites former colonies. The Queen of England is symbolically considered the head of the Commonwealth, but real power does not belong to her.
The young independent state many problems. Natural elements haunt him. In April 2007, a tsunami up to three meters high hit the islands, causing destruction and loss of life. Ethnic conflicts occur between island residents. A low standard of living remains the norm for the majority of the population. The Solomon Islands problem requires truly Solomonic wisdom to solve difficult problems.

The list of exotic advantages in the Solomon Islands is typical for any tropical places - rich flora, diverse and, in some cases, dangerous fauna, a wonderful ocean and beautiful beaches, a combination of modern civilization (in hotels) and traditional native culture (on the street).
The natural and climatic features of these places do not require people to take extreme care of food, supplies and communal needs, such as preparing for the change of season. The weather here is not too dependent on the calendar. Only the intervention of civilization gradually destroys the island way of life that has developed over centuries.
Nature and Natural resources the main wealth of the islands. About 80% of their territory is still covered with forests. Some trees reach a height of 40-50 meters. In drier places there are savannas, on the sea coast there are mangrove forests and swamps.
The Solomon Islands are home to more than 170 bird species, many giant butterflies (Victoria, Urveliana), and thriving populations of lizards, giant frogs, snakes and rats. The coastal waters are home to dolphins, green turtles, and fish: shark, marlin, tuna, barracuda, and giant eel. There are more than 4,500 plant species in the Solomon Islands, with about 230 species of orchids alone.
Even today the islands conceal mysteries for scientists and delight them with new discoveries. Among these discoveries are various species of the horned frog, a local endemic that takes pride of place in the tropical chorus in the evenings.
Meeting with local nature contains not only pleasant discoveries, but also dangers. One of them is blood-sucking insects that carry diseases; the Javan centipede and scorpions, about 20 species of reptiles, poisonous fish and sea snakes, even forest ants and leeches are dangerous.
In the eastern part of Rennell Island, UNESCO organized national park wildlife. There are few places on Earth with as much biodiversity as the Solomon Islands. But the harmonious combination of nature and modern civilization here remains a very complex and unresolved problem.
The islands have industrial reserves of bauxite, copper, gold, silver, and nickel. But so far their development is hampered by a lack of capital and personnel. Most residents are employed in agriculture, with fishing and logging playing an important role.
The government is focusing on the development of tourism. So far, most guests come here from Australia. But, as you know, island exoticism attracts many people not only from neighboring countries. There are many surprises prepared for tourists. The traditions of the natives will help the inhabitants of the cities forget about the present day and be transported to distant past eras. For example, on the islands today there are masters of the deadly act who master the art of luring sharks, putting them to sleep right in the water and lifting them to the surface. Here, old traditions and modernity are intertwined at every step. A manifestation of this is the juxtaposition of traditional and modern buildings, European and native clothing, traditional and modern art.
The island “feng shui” (the art of wind and water) that has developed over centuries is not very easy to combine with the achievements of the modern world. It has always been painfully difficult for man to escape from the embrace of nature.

general information

Official name:
Form of government: a constitutional monarchy.
Administrative division: nine provinces and a special Capital Territory.
Capital: Honiara, 78,190 people. (2009).
Languages: official - English, the majority of the population speaks Melanesian Pedgin, a special dialect of English. There are 120 local languages ​​in the country.
Ethnic composition: Melanesians - 94.5%, Polynesians - 3%, Micronesians - 1.2%, other peoples - 1.3%.
Religions: about 96% Christians (Anglican Church of Melanesia - 32.8%, Catholics - 19%, Evangelicals south seas- 17%, Seventh-day Adventists - 11.2% and others), native religious beliefs - about 4%.
Currency unit: Solomon Islands dollar.
Largest islands: Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Malaita, Santa Cruz.
The largest city: capital of Honiara, others major cities No.
Most important airport: in Honiara.

Numbers

Square: 28,450 km.
Population: 610,000 people (2010).
Population density: 21.4 people/km 2
Highest point: Mount Makarakomburu (Guadalcanal Island), 2447 m.
Time zone: MCK +7 hours.

Economy

GDP (PPP): $1514 million (2009).
GDP per capita:$2818 (2009).
Industry: timber processing, food.
Agriculture: cocoa, coconuts, rice, potatoes. Fishing.
Service sector: tourism.

Climate and weather

Equatorial-tropical.
Average January temperature:+32ºС.
Average temperature in July:+27ºС.
Average precipitation: 2500-4300 mm, in the area of ​​the capital Honiara - 2100 mm, in some places up to 8000 mm.

Attractions

■ Honiara: Point Cruise Marina, Parliament, international Airport, National Museum, “Water Pump Village”, the world of sunken ships in coastal waters.
Coral reefs. Beaches.
■ Rennell Island National Park.

Curious facts

■ In the lagoons of Langa Langa and Lau, off the island of Malaita, far from land, the cult of shark worship is very developed. No other island has so many holidays and rituals dedicated to this predator. Locals They even tame sharks. Despite this, it is here that shark fishing is practiced, when a man, armed only with a rag and a spear, lures the fish and fights with it.
■ The cultural traditions of the peoples of the world can differ significantly from each other. In the Solomon Islands, among the inhabitants of the Laulasi and Busu islands, black and red are a taboo color, a symbol of blood. On many islands it is considered taboo for a woman to stand taller than a man. It is also forbidden to swim under a canoe in which there are women, after which it must be destroyed.

Curious facts

■ Despite long distances, quite a lot of people in the world come into indirect contact with distant islands because they are susceptible to certain diseases. The H1N1 (A) influenza strain was first isolated in the Solomon Islands and received their name.
■ Islander ownership often does not come with legal guarantees or “private ownership” signs. But often a tree, fruit or flower near the road may turn out to be someone’s private property. Therefore, once on the islands, you need to pick seemingly wild fruits with caution or not do it at all.

Useful information for tourists about the Solomon Islands, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of the Solomon Islands, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of the Solomon Islands.

Geography of the Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands are a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia, occupying most of the archipelago of the same name, as well as some other island groups.

The Solomon Islands stretch in two chains from northwest to southeast for more than 1,400 km. Most of the islands of the archipelago are volcanic peaks of an underwater ridge. Mountain ranges occupy almost their entire surface, only narrow lowlands stretch along the coast. A fairly wide coastal lowland exists only on the northeastern coast of Guadalcanal. On the same island is highest point countries - Mount Makarakomburu (2447 m.). On the islands there are extinct and active volcanoes, hot springs, earthquakes occur frequently. Many islands are framed coral reefs; besides volcanic islands There are coral islands-atolls.


State

State structure

Solomon Islands is a parliamentary democracy with elements of a constitutional monarchy. The head of state is the monarch of Great Britain, represented by the governor general. Executive power belongs to the government headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament. Legislative power belongs to the unicameral National Parliament.

Language

Official language: English

In English, even though it is official language, only 1–2% of residents say. The language of interethnic communication is Melanesian pidgin English. The peoples of the islands speak a total of 120 languages.

Religion

45% of the population belongs to the Anglican Church, 18% to the Roman Catholic Church, 12% to the Methodist and Presbyterian Church. 9% are Baptists, 7% are Seventh-day Adventists, 5% are other Protestants. 4% of residents adhere to local traditional beliefs.

Currency

International name: SBD

The Solomon Islands dollar is equal to 100 cents. In circulation in the archipelago are banknotes in denominations of 2, 5, 10 and 50 dollars, as well as coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents and 1 dollar.

US and Australian dollars are often accepted for payment, especially in the southern regions of the country.

In cities, travel checks are quite easy to exchange and use, and it is easy to use credit cards, they are mainly served by the three large banks in the capital - ANZ, Westpac and NBSI. In the provinces, the use of credit cards and checks is difficult; cash is preferred.

Popular attractions

Tourism in Solomon Islands

Popular hotels

Tips

Tips are not accepted, but if the service is good, you can leave the staff 5% of the bill or an additional 1-2 dollars. According to Polynesian tradition, tips are a gift and must be given, so almost all establishments do not have them at all. A smile and a simple “thank you” are considered sufficient compensation for services rendered.

Office hours

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 08.30-9.00 to 15.00.

Medicine

All tap water in the country must be assessed as potentially hazardous to health.

Safety

Thefts and other violent acts against tourists are quite rare, but in areas with large crowds of people you should be wary of pickpockets and well-organized fraudulent groups. It is under no circumstances recommended to exchange money on the street.

There are many dangerous animals on the islands - these include numerous local blood-sucking insects that are carriers of many diseases, various arthropods (primarily the Javan centipede and scorpions), some of the 20 species of reptiles, as well as numerous species of poisonous fish and sea snakes.

Emergency numbers

Unified rescue service (fire, police and ambulance) - 911.



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