Solomon Islands Country & Tourist Information

Location
Southwestern Pacific.

Area
27,556 sq km (10,639 sq miles).

Population
581,318 (official estimate 2008).

Population Density
20.57 per sq km.

Capital
Honiara.
Population: 56,000 (estimate 2003).

Government
Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1978.

Language
English is the official language. Pidgin English and over 80 different local dialects are also spoken.

Religion
More than 95% of the population are Christian. The rest is made up of Roman Catholics, South Sea Evangelists and Seventh-day Adventists.

Time
GMT + 11.

Electricity
230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-type flat three-pin plugs are in use.

Head of Government
Prime Minister Derek Sikua since December 2007.

Head of State
HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Nathaniel Waena since 2004.

Recent History
Prime Minister Derek Sikua, a former education minister, was elected in December 2007. This followed the ousting of the leader Mr Manasseh Sogavare, who was forced to step down as prime minister when he lost a vote of confidence in parliament. He had been chosen by parliament in May 2006 following the resignation of Snyder Rini after just three weeks in the job. His election as prime minister in April 2006 led to protests and rioting in the capital, Honiara.

Telephone
Country code: 677. There are no area codes. There are often technical problems with line connections.

Mobile Telephone
Visitors can hire mobile phones on the islands; payment is preferred in cash (US/AUS/NZ currencies are accepted).

Internet
Public e-mail facilities are available in Gizo and Honiara.

Media
A high rate of illiteracy means that the radio has more influence than the press. An Australian-led mission to restore order had improved working conditions for local journalists and militia leaders who threatened the press were jailed. The Australian government donated equipment to the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) and has sponsored programs to promote peace. Taiwan has also granted technical aid.

Post
Airmail to Europe takes approximately seven days.

Post office hours: (Honiara) Mon-Fri 0900-1630, Sat 0900-1100. Other post office hours: Mon-Fri 0800-1630, Sat 0800-1200.

Press
• The main newspapers are the daily English-language Solomon Star and Solomons Voice.

Radio
• Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) is a public broadcaster and operates national station Radio Happy Isles, Wantok FM and provincial stations Radio Happy Lagoon and Radio Temotu.
• Paoa FM is a commercial station.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2009-December 2010 period.

2009
1-2 Jan New Year's Day. 
10-13 Apr Easter.
8 Jun* Queen's Birthday.
7 Jul Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec National Day of Thanksgiving.

2010
1-2 Jan New Year's Day. 
2-5 Apr Easter. 
7 Jun Queen's Birthday.
7 Jul Independence Day.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec National Day of Thanksgiving.

* Date to be confirmed.

Note
Each part of the Solomon Islands has its own Province Day. (If a Province Day falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a public holiday). These are listed below.

25 Feb Choiseul.
2 Jun Isable.
8 Jun Temotu.
29 Jun Central Island.
20 Jul Rennell.
1 Aug Guadalcanal.
3 Aug Makira/Ulawa.
15 Aug Malaita.
7 Dec Western Province.

Contact Information:

Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau
Street address: Mendana Avenue, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Postal address: PO Box 321, Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: 22442.
Website: www.visitsolomons.com.sb

South Pacific Tourism Organization in Fiji
Street address: Level 3, FNPF Place, 343-359 Victoria Parade, Suva, Fiji
Postal address: PO Box 13119, Suva, Fiji
Tel: (679) 330 4177.
Website: www.south-pacific.travel

Embassy of the Solomon Islands in Belgium
Avenue Edouard Lacomble 17, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: (02) 732 7085.

Permanent Mission of the Solomon Islands to the United Nations in the USA
Suite 400L, 800 2nd Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Tel: (212) 599 6192/3.


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