Solomon Islands

Introduction & Quick Facts
Land
People
Economy
Government and society
Cultural life
History
- Prehistory
- European presence on the islands
- Establishment of colonial rule
- World War II
- Independence
  - The Tensions (1998–2003): ethnic violence, 2000 coup, arrival of RAMSI, and 2001 election
  - Efforts toward recovery and reform and the 2006 and 2010 general elections
  - Solomon Islands Truth and Reconciliation Commission
  - Biometric voter registration, 2014 election, and departure of RAMSI
  - Anti-corruption efforts, 2019 general election, progress with a new federal constitution, and foreign policy changes
  - 2021 unrest, 2022 security pact with China, and 2024 general election
  - Climate change concerns

References & Edit History Facts & Stats

Images

Solomon Islands

Map of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, showing major islands, atolls, and cities such as Honiara, Gizo, and Auki. The map includes international boundaries and a locator inset highlighting the islands' position northeast of Australia and near Papua New Guinea.

Malaita, Solomon Islands

Map showing the location of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, outlined in orange and labeled with its capital, Honiara. Surrounding countries and territories such as Papua New Guinea, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and others are also labeled for geographic context.

Map showing the physical features of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, including major islands such as Guadalcanal, Malaita, San Cristobal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, and the Santa Cruz Islands. Neighboring Papua New Guinea and Bougainville are shown to the northwest. The map includes surrounding seas, reefs, and a locator inset highlighting the Solomon Islands' position in the region.

Aerial view of lush green islands surrounded by shallow turquoise water and fringing coral reefs in New Georgia, Solomon Islands, Pacific Ocean.

Solomon Islands: Urban-rural

Solomon Islands: Ethnic composition

Solomon Islands: Religious affiliation

Solomon Islands: Age breakdown

At a Glance

default image

Solomon Islands summary

Solomon Islands: Media

islands and nation, Pacific Ocean

Images

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, showing major islands, atolls, and cities such as Honiara, Gizo, and Auki. The map includes international boundaries and a locator inset highlighting the islands' position northeast of Australia and near Papua New Guinea.

Solomon Islands

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Malaita, Solomon Islands

Malaita, Solomon Islands

Reef island off Malaita, Solomon Islands.

Jim Lounsbury

Map showing the location of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, outlined in orange and labeled with its capital, Honiara. Surrounding countries and territories such as Papua New Guinea, Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and others are also labeled for geographic context.

Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map showing the physical features of the Solomon Islands in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, including major islands such as Guadalcanal, Malaita, San Cristobal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, and the Santa Cruz Islands. Neighboring Papua New Guinea and Bougainville are shown to the northwest. The map includes surrounding seas, reefs, and a locator inset highlighting the Solomon Islands' position in the region.

Solomon Islands

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Aerial view of lush green islands surrounded by shallow turquoise water and fringing coral reefs in New Georgia, Solomon Islands, Pacific Ocean.

Solomon Islands

Fringing coral reefs, New Georgia Islands, Solomon Islands.

© Michael Pitts—Nature Picture Library/Alamy

Population-density map of Pacific island countries and territories, with darker shading indicating more people per square kilometer. Naoero is the most densely populated, while many larger island groups, including Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and French Polynesia, have lower densities.

Pacific Islands: Population density

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

traditionally dressed dancers, Solomon Islands

traditionally dressed dancers, Solomon Islands

Traditionally dressed dancers in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

© Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock.com

U.S. Marines in combat gear wade ashore from a landing craft onto a sandy beach during the Guadalcanal landing in August 1942.

Battle of Guadalcanal

U.S. Marines landing on Guadalcanal, August 1942.

UPI/Bettmann Archive

Antique map of the Solomon Islands and Bougainville in the South Pacific, showing island names, major settlements, and surrounding seas. The map highlights Bougainville in red and includes German possessions, navigational routes, and a scale bar. Drawn from the 1902 Encyclopaedia Britannica atlas.

Solomon Islands

Map of the Solomon Islands from the 10th edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica,...

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Map of the Pacific Islands region showing political boundaries, major island groups, and countries such as Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa, French Polynesia, and Kiribati. The map uses color shading to indicate elevation and ocean depth, with key islands and capitals labeled throughout the central and southwestern Pacific Ocean.

Pacific Islands

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Interactives

Solomon Islands: Urban-rural

Solomon Islands: Urban-rural

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Solomon Islands: Ethnic composition

Solomon Islands: Ethnic composition

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Solomon Islands: Religious affiliation

Solomon Islands: Religious affiliation

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Solomon Islands: Age breakdown

Solomon Islands: Age breakdown

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Solomon Islands: Major export destinations

Solomon Islands: Major export destinations

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

Solomon Islands: Major import sources

Solomon Islands: Major import sources

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.

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