| Introduction | In 1893, the British Government established a protectorate over the eastern group of islands with Germany controlling most of the west. As the result of an Anglo-German agreement of 1899, the British protectorate was extended to all nine main island groups now part of the nation of Solomon Islands, while Buka and Bougainville became part of German New Guinea (later incorporated into Papua New Guinea). Britain granted Solomon Islands internal self-government in 1976, followed by independence on 7 July 1978. At independence, Solomon Islands joined the Commonwealth. Solomon Islands has a growing population and its relatively young structure dominate concerns about future development. The population of Solomon Islands is predominantly Melanesian (about 95%) although there are also smaller Polynesian, Micronesian, Chinese and European communities. There are 63 distinct languages in the country, with numerous local dialects. English is the official language of Solomon Islands but Solomons Pijin is the lingua franca for the majority of people. (Source: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade at http://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/solomon_islands/solomon_islands_brief.html) |
| Population | Population: 511,000 (2008) Population growth rate: 2.5% Life expectancy: 66 years |
| Geography | Solomon Islands is a double-chain archipelago of more than 900 coral atolls located in the south-west Pacific about 1800 kilometres north-east of Australia. Its total land area of 28 370 square kilometres is widely scattered over 1.3 million square kilometres (Exclusive Economic Zone) of the Pacific Ocean, with most of its smaller islands uninhabited. The terrain of the Solomon Islands is mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls. It has a tropical monsoon climate with few extremes of temperature and weather. The Solomons suffer typhoons, which are rarely destructive but it is in the Pacific "ring of fire" and is therefore prone to earthquakes. Some parts were devastated during the tsunami of 2004. Some of the islands are also being threatened by rising tides and sea levels. |
| Religion | Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2%. |
| Government | Government type: Parliamentary democracy and a Commonwealth realm Chief of State: Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen is represented by Governor General Frank Ofagioro Kabui (since 15 June 2009) Head of Government: Prime Minister Danny Philip (since 25 August 2010) Assembly: Solomon Islands has a unicameral National Parliament with 50 seats. The Queen is hereditary. (For more information visit the World Leaders website.) Elections: The Prime Minister is elected by parliament to serve a 4-year term. In the National Parliament 50 members are elected by plurality vote in single-member constituencies to serve 4-year terms. Election last held 4 August 2010. |
| Economics | GDP (purchasing power parity) US$656 Million The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of RAMSI, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds. (Source: The World Factbook) |
| Health | Solomon Islands is in a phase of epidemiological transition. Having to deal with both the control of infectious diseases and an increasing incidence of noncommunicable diseases, with very limited resources, poses a major challenge for the Government. With the dissipation of ethnic conflict during 1999-2003 and with support in 2004 from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (the Global Fund), the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), the World Bank and Rotary International, progress has been made in malaria control. The malaria burden, measured by annual parasite incidence (API) has been declining steadily over the years. Millennium Development Goals indicators. Life expectancy at birth for males is 65.1 and females 67 years (2010). Total expenditure on health per capita $107 USD. Total expenditure on health as a percentage of GDP is 4.7% (2006) Source: World Health Organisation. Data on HIV rates in Solomon Islands is not available. |
| Legislation | http://www.paclii.org/databases.html#SB |
| Related Websites | The World Factbook - Solomon Islands UNICEF - Solomon Islands World Health Organization - Solomon Islands |