Melanesia · OceaniaSolomon Islands
Discover the Solomon Islands - a Melanesian archipelago of nearly a thousand islands where WWII history, custom village life, and pristine marine biodiversity converge.
Where Is the Solomon Islands?
The Solomon Islands is a country in Melanesia, Oceania. Its capital is Honiara.
- Capital Honiara
- Population 839K
- Area 28,896 km²
The Solomon Islands are a scattered constellation of nearly a thousand islands in the southwestern Pacific, where dense jungle, volcanic peaks, and some of the most biodiverse coral reefs on Earth create a landscape that feels genuinely primordial. The name comes from a 16th-century Spanish explorer who believed these islands held the riches of King Solomon, and while he was wrong about the gold, the natural wealth is staggering.
This is where some of the fiercest fighting of World War II took place. The Guadalcanal campaign of 1942-43 was a turning point in the Pacific War, and the seabed around the islands - known as Iron Bottom Sound - holds dozens of sunken warships and aircraft. Today, the Solomons remain one of the least touristed countries in the Pacific. Custom villages in the interior still practice traditional ways of life, shell money is still used alongside the dollar, and the Marovo Lagoon is the largest saltwater lagoon on Earth. It is a raw, wild, beautiful country that runs on its own unhurried Pacific time.
At a glance
Largest cities in Solomon Islands
Honiara
Auki
Gizo
Famous people from Solomon Islands
Peter Kenilorea
PoliticsFirst Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands who led the country to independence in 1978 and shaped its parliamentary system
Joses Tuhanuku
PoliticsProminent political leader and advocate for democratic governance during the Solomon Islands' turbulent post-independence era
Traditional cuisine of Solomon Islands
- Poi (Pounded Taro)
- Starchy paste made from pounded taro root, the traditional staple food eaten with fish and coconut across the islands
- Laplap-style Pudding
- Root vegetables grated and baked in banana leaves with coconut cream, a filling Melanesian comfort food
- Fresh Reef Fish
- Grilled, steamed, or raw with lime, fish from the surrounding reefs is the daily protein of island life
- Slippery Cabbage
- Local greens cooked with coconut cream, a simple but ubiquitous side dish across the Solomon Islands
Nature and landmarks in Solomon Islands
- Marovo LagoonCoast
- Largest saltwater lagoon on Earth in New Georgia, a double barrier reef system with extraordinary coral diversity and clarity
- Iron Bottom SoundCoast
- The strait between Guadalcanal and surrounding islands, named for the dozens of WWII warships and aircraft resting on the seabed
- KolombangaraIsland
- Nearly perfect volcanic cone rising from the sea, with concentric rings of rainforest and rare endemic bird species
- Rennell IslandIsland
- UNESCO World Heritage Site, the world's largest raised coral atoll with Lake Tegano, the largest lake in the Pacific islands
Sports in Solomon Islands
- Football
- Football is the most popular sport in the Solomon Islands, with the national team competing in OFC competitions
- Rugby League
- Growing in popularity, with Solomon Islands competing in Pacific regional tournaments and developing grassroots programs
Did you know?
Iron Bottom Sound got its name from the approximately 50 warships and dozens of aircraft sunk during the Guadalcanal campaign
Shell money made from carefully drilled and polished shells is still used alongside modern currency in parts of Malaita Province
The Solomon Islands are home to the world's largest saltwater lagoon, Marovo Lagoon, which is a UNESCO tentative list site
Rennell Island's Lake Tegano is the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific islands, formed inside a raised coral atoll
Some communities in the Solomon Islands practice dolphin hunting and tooth currency, using dolphin teeth as a form of traditional money
The islands have over 70 indigenous languages despite a population of under 750,000 people
Read more about Solomon Islands
Can you find Solomon Islands on a map?
Drop a pin where you think it is and see how close you got. A few rounds and you will place Solomon Islands and its neighbours without a second thought.
