Solomon Islands is a sovereign country located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea. It consists of a double chain of islands and atolls, with a total of 992 islands and a land area of 28,400 square kilometers. The capital and largest city is Honiara.

The Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. The population is around 700,000 people, with most of the people living in rural areas and relying on subsistence agriculture and fishing.

The economy of the Solomon Islands is heavily dependent on agriculture, forestry, and fisheries. The country is also known for its mineral resources, including gold, silver, nickel, and bauxite. Tourism is a growing industry in the Solomon Islands, with visitors coming to enjoy the country's natural beauty, diverse cultures, and World War II history.

The Solomon Islands are home to a rich and diverse range of cultures and languages, with over 70 languages spoken across the islands. Christianity is the dominant religion, with Anglicanism and Roman Catholicism being the largest denominations.

The Solomon Islands are also known for their unique and diverse flora and fauna, including many species found nowhere else in the world. The islands are home to a number of endemic bird species, as well as a variety of marine life, including dolphins, whales, and sea turtles.

Telephone Code
677

Local Emergency Phone
911

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

Climate
Tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes

Currency (Code)
Solomon Islands dollars (SBD)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): G, I

Major Languages
Melanesian pidgin, English; note: 120 indigenous languages

Major Religions
Protestant 73.4% (Church of Melanesia, South Sea Evangelical, Seventh Day Adventist, United Church, Christian Fellowship Church), Roman Catholic 19.6%, other Christian 2.9%

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Left

Tourist Destinations
East Rennell; Guadalcanal American Memorial; Bonegi I & II; Morovo Lagoon; Tenaru Falls

Major Sports
Rugby, soccer, futsal (indoor court soccer), beach soccer

Cultural Practices
Tourists are advised to dress modestly and cursing is a crime punishable by a fine, jail time, or both.

Tipping Guidelines
There is no tipping and visitors are requested to honor this local custom. However, visitors can contribute to a shared tipping box whose contents are distributed at Christmas.

Souvenirs
Wood carvings, woven baskets and other woven goods, mother-of-pearl and shell jewelry and other decorative items

Traditional Cuisine
Poi — a savory side dish of rinsed taro roots turned into a paste

Geography
Area
total: 28,896 sq km
land: 27,986 sq km
water: 910 sq km

Climate
tropical monsoon; few temperature and weather extremes

Natural resources
fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel

People and Society
Population
714,766 (2023 est.)

Ethnic groups
Melanesian 95.3%, Polynesian 3.1%, Micronesian 1.2%, other 0.3% (2009 est.)

Languages
Melanesian pidgin (in much of the country is lingua franca), English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population), 120 indigenous languages

Religions
Protestant 73.4% (Church of Melanesia 31.9%, South Sea Evangelical 17.1%, Seventh Day Adventist 11.7%, United Church 10.1%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.5%), Roman Catholic 19.6%, other Christian 2.9%, other 4%, unspecified 0.1% (2009 est.)

Population growth rate
1.69% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm

Capital
name: Honiara

Economy
Economic overview
lower middle-income Pacific island economy; natural resource rich; primarily subsistence agriculture and fishing; land rights conflicts; fairly low public debt; underdeveloped financial sector; large, state-owned enterprise presence

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.703 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$2,400 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
oil palm fruit, sweet potatoes, coconuts, taro, yams, fruit, pulses, vegetables, cocoa, cassava

Industries
fish (tuna), mining, timber

Exports
$413.657 million (2021 est.)

Exports - partners
China 65%, Italy 9%, India 6% (2019)

Exports - commodities
lumber, fish, aluminum, palm oil, cocoa beans (2019)

Imports
$619.46 million (2021 est.)

Imports - partners
China 24%, Australia 13%, South Korea 12%, Singapore 12%, Malaysia 10% (2019)

Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, fish, insulated wiring, broadcasting equipment, excavation machinery (2019)