# Solomon Islands

> island sovereign state in Oceania

**Wikidata**: [Q685](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q685)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Islands)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/solomon-islands

## Summary
The Solomon Islands is an island sovereign state and archipelagic country located in Oceania, specifically within the region of Melanesia. A Commonwealth realm with Honiara as its capital, it gained independence in 1978 and operates as a constitutional monarchy with Charles III as its head of state.

## Key Facts
- **Classification**: Sovereign state, island country, archipelagic state, and Commonwealth realm.
- **Location**: Oceania, specifically Melanesia; coordinates approx. 9.47°S, 159.82°E.
- **Capital**: Honiara.
- **Area**: 28,400.0 square kilometres.
- **Independence**: Established in 1978, replacing the British Solomon Islands.
- **Government**: Constitutional monarchy; Head of State is Charles III (represented by a Governor-General); Head of Government is Jeremiah Manele (since May 2, 2024).
- **Currency**: Solomon Islands dollar (since 1977).
- **Population**: 611,343 (2017 data); 724,272 (2022 estimate derived from male/female population data).
- **Highest Point**: Mount Popomanaseu (2,335 metres).
- **Identifiers**: ISO codes SB (alpha-2), SLB (alpha-3); Internet TLD `.sb`.

## FAQs

**Where are the Solomon Islands located?**
The Solomon Islands are situated in Oceania within the subregion of Melanesia. The country shares maritime borders with Papua New Guinea, Australia (specifically the Coral Sea Islands), France, Vanuatu, and Fiji.

**What type of government does the Solomon Islands have?**
It is a sovereign state and a Commonwealth realm. The British monarch, currently Charles III, serves as the head of state and is represented locally by a Governor-General. The head of government is the Prime Minister, a position held by Jeremiah Manele since May 2024.

**When did the Solomon Islands become independent?**
The nation was founded in 1978, succeeding the British Solomon Islands. It subsequently joined the United Nations on September 19, 1978.

**What is the demographic profile of the Solomon Islands?**
The country has a population of over 700,000 people (2022 estimates). While English is the official language, the population speaks a vast array of indigenous languages including Pijin, Roviana, and 'Are'are. Life expectancy is approximately 71 years as of 2022.

**What international organizations is the country a member of?**
The Solomon Islands is a member of the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, the World Trade Organization, the World Health Organization, Interpol, UNESCO, and the Asian Development Bank, among others.

## Why It Matters
The Solomon Islands plays a strategic role in the South Pacific as a large archipelagic state covering over 28,000 square kilometers. Its transition from a British protectorate to a sovereign member of the Commonwealth in 1978 marked a significant geopolitical shift in the region. The nation maintains distinct diplomatic relations with major powers including Australia, Japan, and the People's Republic of China (switching recognition from Taiwan in 2019). Its diverse ecosystem, ranging from the Pacific Ocean coastline to Mount Popomanaseu, and its complex cultural tapestry of over 60 languages make it a critical subject of study in Oceanic anthropology and geography.

## Notable For
- Being one of the few island sovereign states in Melanesia classified as an archipelagic state.
- Hosting a vast linguistic diversity, with English as the official language but widespread usage of Pijin and numerous indigenous languages like 'Are'are and Roviana.
- Its unique constitutional status as a Commonwealth realm, sharing a monarch with other nations like the UK and Australia.
- A Human Development Index (HDI) that has shown gradual improvement, reaching 0.567 in 2019.
- Replacing the "British Solomon Islands" in 1978 to become the modern sovereign state.

## Body

### Geography and Climate
The Solomon Islands is located in the continent of Oceania, specifically identified as part of Insular Oceania and the subregion of Melanesia. The nation comprises numerous islands with a total area of 28,400 square kilometers. Its coordinates place it roughly at 9.47° S latitude and 159.82° E longitude.
- **Extremes**: The highest point is Mount Popomanaseu at 2,335 meters, while the lowest point is the Pacific Ocean at sea level.
- **Maritime Borders**: It shares maritime boundaries with Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Fiji, Australia (Coral Sea Islands), and France.
- **Timezone**: The country operates on UTC+11:00, specifically the "Pacific/Guadalcanal" timezone.

### Governance and Politics
The Solomon Islands is a sovereign state and a Commonwealth realm. The head of state is King Charles III, who has held the position since September 8, 2022, and is represented by the Governor-General of the Solomon Islands. The head of government is the Prime Minister; Jeremiah Manele assumed this office on May 2, 2024, succeeding Manasseh Sogavare. The legislative body is the National Parliament of Solomon Islands. The national anthem is "God Save Our Solomon Islands," and the motto is "To Lead is to Serve." The country is administratively divided into ten entities, including Central Province, Guadalcanal Province, and the capital territory of Honiara.

### History
The modern state was founded in 1978, replacing the former colonial entity known as the British Solomon Islands. It is named after the biblical figure Solomon. Following independence, the country joined the United Nations on September 19, 1978, and the Commonwealth of Nations the same year.

### Demographics
The population has grown from 117,869 in 1960 to over 700,000 in recent years (male population 369,899 and female population 354,373 in 2022). The rural population is significantly larger than the urban population.
- **Life Expectancy**: Increased from approx. 62 years in 1999 to 71 years in 2022.
- **Birth Rate**: 29.322 per 1,000 (2022).
- **Death Rate**: 4.888 per 1,000 (2022).
- **Fertility Rate**: Declined from 4.789 (1999) to 3.966 (2014).

### Language and Culture
While English is the official language, it is spoken as a first language by about 10,000 people and as a second language by 165,000. The country is linguistically diverse, with languages including Pijin, Roviana, 'Are'are, Gela, and many others (e.g., Duke, Tanimbili, Bughotu). The demonym for a person from the Solomon Islands is "Solomon Islander" (or specific variations like *salomonés* in Spanish).

### Economy
The Solomon Islands uses the Solomon Islands dollar as its currency, introduced in 1977 to replace the Solomon Islands pound.
- **GDP**: Nominal GDP was approximately $1.59 billion USD in 2022.
- **Development**: The Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.567 in 2019 and 0.564 in 2021. The unemployment rate was recorded as 4% in 2014.
- **Infrastructure**: The mains voltage is 220V at 50Hz, and driving is on the left side of the road.

### International Relations
The Solomon Islands is an active member of numerous international organizations:
- **UN Bodies**: United Nations, UNESCO, WHO, International Telecommunication Union, UPU.
- **Financial Institutions**: World Bank (IBRD, IDA, IFC), Asian Development Bank.
- **Security/Treaties**: Interpol, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
- **Regional Groups**: Alliance of Small Island States, Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States.

Diplomatic relations exist with Australia, Cuba, Malaysia, Japan, and Germany. Notably, relations with Taiwan ended on September 16, 2019, when the country shifted recognition to the People's Republic of China.

### Codes and Identifiers
The Solomon Islands is identified by various codes:
- **ISO 3166**: SB, SLB, 090.
- **IOC Country Code**: SOL.
- **Telephone Code**: +677.
- **Internet TLD**: .sb.
- **UNDP Code**: SOI.
- **M49 Code**: 090.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/solomon-islands)
2. Virtual International Authority File
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4. [Source](https://lingualibre.org/wiki/Q567090)
5. [Source](http://thecommonwealth.org/our-member-countries/solomon-islands)
6. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
7. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Asia-South-Pacific/SOLOMON-ISLANDS)
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9. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/solomon-islands)
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11. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
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36. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
37. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
38. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
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