Solomon Islands Travel Guide

Solomon Islands — Country and Tourist Information

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Country Facts

Location: Southwestern Pacific.
Language: English is the official language. Pidgin English and over 80 different local dialects are also spoken.
Area: 27,556 sq km (10,639 sq miles).
Time Zone: GMT + 11.
Electricity: 230/240 volts AC, 50Hz. Australian-type flat three-pin plugs are in use.
Population: 581,318 (official estimate 2008).
Population Density: 20.57 per sq km.
Capital City: Honiara. Population: 56,000 (estimate 2003).
Government: Constitutional monarchy. Gained independence from the UK in 1978.
Head of Government: Prime Minister Derek Sikua since December 2007.
Head of State: HM Queen Elizabeth II, represented locally by Governor-General Frank Ofagioro Kabui since 2009.
Religion: More than 95% of the population are Christian. The rest is made up of Roman Catholics, South Sea Evangelists and Seventh-day Adventists.

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.

Communications

Telephone

Country Code: . 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.(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.

Public Holidays

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2011-December 2012 period.
2010
25 Dec Christmas Day

2011
1 Jan - 2 Jan New Year’s Day
22 Apr - 25 Apr Easter
8 Jun *Queen’s Birthday
7 Jul Independence Day
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec National Day of Thanksgiving

2012
1 Jan - 2 Jan New Year’s Day
6 Apr - 9 Apr Easter
7 Jun *Queen’s Birthday
7 Jul Independence Day
26 Dec National Day of Thanksgiving
* Date to be confirmed.
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