Location:
*east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia in the south Pacific
Capital and Largest City:*Honiara is both the capital and the largest city of the Solomon Islands.
*Population of Honiara: 72,000 residents (2009) Government:*Form of Government: Parliamentary Democracy
*Prime Minister: Gordon Darcy Lilo |
Size:Solomon Islands:
*Population: 584,578 residents *Growth Rate: 2.17% *Birth Rate: 27.46/1,000 *Death Rate: 3.91/1,000 *Infant Mortality Rate: 17.25/1,000 *Life Expectancy: 74.42 years of age *Population Density Per Square Mile: 53 residents *Land Mass: 10,633 square miles
*The Solomon Islands are made up of about 1,000 mountainous and coral islands. These include Guadalcanal, Malaita, Santa Isabel, San Cristobal,Choiseul, New Georgia, and the Santa Cruz group. |
Relationship with the United States:
Close ties were formed between the people of the Solomon Islands and the United States during World War II. Because of this, the Solomon Islands Parliament building was created and a diplomatic relationship was established after the independence of the Solomon Islands' in 1978 from the United Kingdom. Through this relationship, the two countries are committed to working together and improving regional stability, promoting democracy and human rights, responding to climate change, increasing trade, and promoting sustainable economic development.
Economy:
There is a focus on agriculture, fishing, and forestry in the islands. Mineral resources that are abundant in this area are lead, zinc, nickel, and gold, whereas, petroleum products and manufactured goods must be imported. Economic collapse was on the brick in this country due to severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, crime, and corruption in the form of an empty government treasury. However, the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI) then arrived in the summer of 2003. RAMSI is a partnership between Solomon Islands and fifteen other contributing countries from the Pacific region. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds.
Interesting Facts:
*The official language is English. However, Melanesian pidgin and 120 indigenous languages are also spoken.
*Majority of population are Protestants, followed by Roman Catholics and those of indigenous beliefs
*Currency: Solomon Islands Dollars
*Marovo Lagoon: world's largest salt water lagoon
*Kavachi: an active underwater volcano
*Majority of population are Protestants, followed by Roman Catholics and those of indigenous beliefs
*Currency: Solomon Islands Dollars
*Marovo Lagoon: world's largest salt water lagoon
*Kavachi: an active underwater volcano
Works Cited:
http://population.mongabay.com/population/solomon-islands
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/09/solomon-islands-climate-change
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/oceania/sb.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107975.html
http://epress.anu.edu.au/apps/bookworm/view/Pillars+and+Shadows%3A+Statebuilding+as+peacebuilding+in+Solomon+Islands/5221/ch02.xhtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7153184.stm
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2799.htm
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG551.html
http://www.indexmundi.com/solomon_islands/economy_profile.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_state_leaders_in_2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15896402
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-solomon-islands-3241.html
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/177301/enlarge
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/340546/20120514/fastest-growth-underwater-volcanoes-documented-monowai-pictures.htm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/solomon-islands-flag.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/09/solomon-islands-climate-change
http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/oceania/sb.htm
http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0107975.html
http://epress.anu.edu.au/apps/bookworm/view/Pillars+and+Shadows%3A+Statebuilding+as+peacebuilding+in+Solomon+Islands/5221/ch02.xhtml
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7153184.stm
http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2799.htm
http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG551.html
http://www.indexmundi.com/solomon_islands/economy_profile.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_state_leaders_in_2012
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-15896402
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/facts-about-solomon-islands-3241.html
http://www.sciencephoto.com/media/177301/enlarge
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/articles/340546/20120514/fastest-growth-underwater-volcanoes-documented-monowai-pictures.htm
http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/solomon-islands-flag.html