The Solomon Islands are an archipelago largely unaffected by tourism. Pretty not a large number of people visit this poor country. But, despite this, they attract with the genuine naturalness of everything that you have to either see or visit.

Back in the 16th century, these islands were discovered by the Spaniard A. Medanya. It was the Spaniards who were of the opinion and suggested that in ancient times this archipelago belonged to Solomon, the biblical king. Hence the origin of the name. Already in the 20th century, Great Britain established its power over the islands. But soon the Solomon Islands received internal self-government, and then independence.

This area attracts by the fact that it has practically nothing that would be created artificially in order to please tourists. Therefore, it will be very comfortable and interesting here, first of all, for those travelers who are looking for natural extraordinary

After all, every part of this small country will not disappoint its guests, as it has rightfully earned a reputation as the best place in the world, where, as if, nature itself has created all the conditions for fishing, snorkeling and diving. Here the water and air are particularly clean. And the animal and vegetable world will surprise any tourist with its diversity and beauty.

The Solomon Islands are enough in which to have their own taboos. And all visitors should know about them. So, on the islands of Bu-su and Laulasi, the taboos are red and black, since they are considered the colors of blood here. They should be avoided when choosing jewelry or clothing for a trip.

Certain taboos are still surrounded by the life of villages on the islands. It is impossible to explain the meaning of all. But when visiting any local settlements, you must be careful and limit your curiosity to the maximum. Since the term "taboo" here is given the meaning not only of prohibition, but also of sacredness or holiness. And this should not be forgotten.

In addition, property rights are also very important here. Therefore, it is most likely that a flower, fruit or tree by the roadside belongs to someone. Since many islanders live by selling what they grow, when you pick a fruit, be prepared to leave the owner a decent compensation.

A guest on the islands must be fully dressed. While the clothes of local residents may be different, or absent altogether. A woman should not be or stand above a man. It is also forbidden to swim under canoes where women are. After all, after that it is subject to destruction. And for many residents it is the only way to get food.

The Solomon Islands have preserved a tradition in which, as in all world cultures, taboos are called upon to protect their society, playing the role of certain codes or moral prescriptions. Following them, it is not customary to punish uninitiated people. Although foreigners fall into this category, it is nevertheless advisable to observe local customs.

For those who love a varied and eventful holiday, the Solomon Islands will be an ideal option. Mainly because their entire territory consists of nine provinces, each of which has something to show even the most jaded visitor.

What are those provinces where the locals, despite the rapid development of civilization in general and the predominance of European elements in clothing in particular, continue to wear short skirts and

Not all resort islands, like the Solomons, have retained to a large extent their primitive cultural appearance. In all the villages, traditional houses predominate here. They are rectangular light huts with wicker walls on pillars and made of palm leaves.

Although buildings of the European type are found here, but only in large settlements. Traditionalism is also quite closely intertwined with modernity. The local population preserves applied arts, original dances and songs, folklore relatively well, however, modern culture is still being introduced.

Among the endless spaces Pacific Ocean, namely its southwestern part, in Melanesia, one of the largest island states in the world, the Solomon Islands, is located. They occupy almost the entire archipelago of the same name, with the exception of the islands of Buka and Bougainville, which belong to Popua New Guinea.

Solomon Islands on the world map

This state includes 992 islands and reefs, of which only 347 are inhabited. The sizes of the islands are very different:
there are 6 largest ones (San Cristobal, Malaita, Santa Isabel, Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Choiseul), as well as 20 medium ones (Santa Cruz, Rennell, Velha Navella, etc.), the area of ​​​​the remaining islands is quite small. The capital of the Solomons is the city of Honiara, which is located on the island of Guadacanal.
The Solomon Islands do not have a single land border; for obvious reasons, they border on water with all neighboring states. The neighborhood is as follows: the northern border - Nauru, within the territory of the Solomon Sea along the northwestern and western border - Popua - New Guinea, along the southwestern border - Australia, on the south side outside the Caral Sea - the overseas territories of the French (Ion Island, Bampton Reefs), the eastern and northeastern borders - Tuvalu and Kiribati, respectively, and in the southeast - Vanuatu.
Geographically, the Solomons are a double chain that stretches for 1400 km from the northwest to the southeast. Almost all islands are of volcanic origin and are volcanic peaks of an underwater ridge. Therefore, more than two thirds of the surface of the islands is covered with mountain ranges. Only a few islands have narrow lowlands along the coast. The largest coastal lowland is located in the northeast of the island of Guadacanal, where the capital, Honiara, is located. On the territory of the state you can find both extinct and active volcanoes, as well as hot springs. Therefore, earthquakes are frequent here. Some islands around the perimeter are framed by coral reefs. The islands of volcanic origin are not the only ones in the Solomons, there are also coral atoll islands.
Depending on the method of occurrence, the islands are combined into groups with their own name. So there are island groups with the following names: Santa Cruz, Swallow, Duff, etc.

Solomon Islands map in Russian

There are many mountain deep rivers and waterfalls on the islands. The number of lakes is insignificant. The soil can be described as fertile red soil, which is most often located in river deltas and river terraces. The mountain ranges of the islands are covered with tropical rainforests. The lowlands on the islands are often swampy, but there are areas that are used for growing rice, cocoa and coconut palms. The animal world is poor, its bright representatives can be: crocodiles, snakes, lizards, bats and rats. There are even fewer living birds - parrots and pigeons. The entire list of minerals that are mined here is as follows: phosphorites, bauxites and iron ore.
Climatic conditions on the territory of the islands are softened by the proximity of the ocean, they can be characterized as equatorial-tropical. Weather from April to November, the month is formed under the influence of the southeast trade winds. Most often during this period it is relatively dry and cool. Between November and April, the islands are dominated by the northwest monsoon, which very often turns into a hurricane. Then there is a lot of precipitation and it is very hot. The average temperature for February is +27 ºС, and for August - +24 ºС.
Administratively, the islands are divided into 9 provinces and a separate capital district on the island of Guadacanal.
Tourism is little developed on the islands, since this is almost the only place on the planet where nature has been preserved in its original form. Here are still preserved impenetrable jungle, clean mountain rivers and waterfalls, mighty volcanoes and blue lagoons. Therefore, lovers of sailing, sport fishing, diving and ethnography best place not to be found for rest. Photo materials used from Wikimedia © Foto, Wikimedia Commons

Solomon islands- a state in the western part of the Pacific Ocean, east of New Guinea, located on the southeastern part of the islands of the same name.

The name of the country is associated with the legend of the country of Ophir, where the treasures of King Solomon are hidden.

Official name: Solomon islands

Capital: Honiara

The area of ​​the land: 28,450 sq. km

Total population: 610 thousand people

Administrative division: The state is divided into 7 provinces and 1 city.

Form of government: A constitutional monarchy.

Head of State: The Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General.

Composition of the population: 92% - Melanesians, 4% - Polynesians, 1.5% - Micronesians, 1% - Europeans.

Official language: English, a pidgin (a mixture of Melanesian and English) is also common among the inhabitants of the country.

Religion: 45% of the population belongs to the Anglican Church, 18% - to the Roman Catholic, 12% - to the Methodist and Presbyterian. 9% are Baptists, 7% are Seventh-day Adventists, 5% are other Protestants. 4% of residents adhere to local traditional beliefs.

Internet domain: .sb

Country phone code : +677

Climate

Subequatorial monsoon, very hot and humid.

The air temperature throughout the year is practically unchanged - + 25-30 C. From the end of April to the beginning of November (local winter), the weather is relatively dry and cool (+ 24-27 C), due to the southeast trade winds blowing at this time ( sometimes the direction of the winds shifts to the northern or even western rhumbs - this is a clear harbinger of storms and hurricanes).

In summer (December-January - April-March) north-western winds prevail, and the air temperature rises to + 26-32 C with air humidity of about 90%.

Up to 3500 mm of precipitation falls per year (in Honiara - 2250 mm). The maximum amount of rain falls in the period from December to March, and the windward shores of the islands both in summer and winter receive 15-30% more precipitation than the leeward ones.

Hurricanes are most likely in the summer, but most of the paths of tropical typhoons lie much east and south of the coast of the Solomon Islands, so they are noticeably less frequent here than on more eastern islands reach destructive power.

Geography

An island nation in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea. It occupies the southeastern part of the Solomon Islands archipelago (with the exception of the islands of Bougainville and Buka, which are geographically part of the same archipelago, but politically belonging to Papua New Guinea) and nearby islands (a total of 992 islands and reefs, 347 of them are inhabited).

In the west (Murua Island and Pocklington Reef) and in the north (Nukumanu Atoll) it borders on Papua New Guinea, in the east - on Tuvalu, in the southeast - on Vanuatu (Torres Islands), in the south - on French overseas territories (Bampton Reef , all maritime boundaries).

The Solomon Islands group consists of six big islands(Choiseul, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal, Guadalcanal and New Georgia), forming a double chain in the center of the archipelago, and about 20 medium-sized islands (Vella Lavella, Florida, Rennell, Santa Cruz, etc.), as well as huge amount small islets and reefs scattered around them.

The group stretches over 1,800 km from Shortland Island in the west to Tikopia and Anuta Islands in the east, and nearly 1,000 km from Ontong Jawa (Lord Howe) in the north to Indispensable Reefs in the south. The Santa Cruz Islands (Vanikoro (Laperusa), Ndeni, Utupua, Tikopia, etc.) lie 230 km southeast of the main group.

The total area of ​​the islands is 27.5 thousand square meters. km (1.35 million sq. km together with adjacent waters), thus it is the third largest island group in the region.

Flora and fauna

Vegetable world

Mangroves and coconut groves protect the coastal strips of most of the islands, while the interior is covered with dense rainforest with a colossal species diversity of plants - about 4,500 of their varieties grow on the islands, and more and more species are discovered every year.

Many coastal natural forests of the large islands have been reduced by agriculture and logging (timber exports account for up to 12% of the country's GDP), but the interior is still largely impenetrable due to the high density of vegetation and difficult terrain.

The mountains volcanic islands covered with dense moist forests, in which valuable tropical tree species grow. Low-lying areas are used for growing coconut palms, sweet potatoes, taro, yams, rice, cocoa and other crops (1.5% of the area is cultivated). The lowlands are often swampy. The vegetation of the northeastern plains of Guadalcanal is represented by savannahs.

Animal world

A few endemic mammals (bats, marsupial couscous, rats and mice) are mostly nocturnal, so it is unlikely to meet them. On the other hand, the crowns of the forest are literally teeming with all kinds of birds (about 223 species), insects (only butterflies, about 130 species), and under the canopy all kinds of amphibians and reptiles (about 70 species) have found their homes.

Every year, thousands of rare birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and butterflies are exported from the territory of the Solomon Islands for sale in Asian countries, North America and Europe. On the shores of the islands, the rarest sea turtles regularly (from November to February) lay their eggs. The isolated group of Santa Cruz Islands has a much smaller species composition of native flora and fauna than the main chain.

Dangerous plants and animals

There are a lot of dangerous animals on the territory of the islands - they include numerous local blood-sucking insects that are carriers of many diseases, various arthropods (primarily the Javan centipede and scorpions), some of the 20 varieties of reptiles, as well as numerous species of poisonous fish and sea snakes.

It is recommended to move around the country accompanied by an experienced conductor or guide, since the difficult local jungle is a potential source of threat in the form of many latently dangerous animals (for example, forest ants and leeches). The same rule is recommended for organizing dives in local waters.

Attractions

The main attraction of the Solomon Islands is nature.

Like neighboring Vanuatu, this land, still almost isolated from the outside world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impassable jungles, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, the purest mountain rivers with waterfalls side by side. and blue lagoons.

It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature with such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions.

The archipelago is practically unaffected by tourism, since there are few people on Earth who want to visit this poor and isolated country. But many are attracted here by the genuine naturalness of everything that happens to be seen or visited.

There is practically nothing artificial or created specifically to please tourists, and the nature of the islands, without much exaggeration called extraordinary, creates a reputation for them, perhaps one of the last places on the planet, as if specially designed for extreme types of recreation.

Here are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sport fishing.

Banks and currency

Solomon Islands dollar (S$, SI$ or SBD), equal to 100 cents. In circulation are banknotes in denominations of 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2 dollars, coins of 1 dollar, as well as 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 cents.

Money can be exchanged at banks, specialized exchange offices (bureaux de change), some hotels, as well as big stores and restaurants.

Exchange machines that work with major world currencies can be found near bank offices and large shops in Honiara. National Bank of the Solomon Islands (NBSI) offers a full range of currency exchange and other transactions with it almost throughout the country.

In provincial areas, the easiest way to change money is at branches of the NBSI bank, which has a network of about 50 local agencies, which are usually located in shops or post offices.

It is possible to use credit cards of the world's main payment systems (as a rule, they are served by three large banks in the capital - ANZ, Westpac and NBSI). In the provinces, the use of credit cards is difficult, it is preferable to pay in cash. There are three automated teller machines (ATMs) in Honiara.

Traveler's checks can be cashed at the offices of major banks (the same ANZ, Westpac and NBSI) in the main cities of the country. To avoid additional costs associated with exchange rate fluctuations, it is recommended that you bring checks in Australian dollars or pounds sterling.

Banks are usually open from Monday to Friday, from 08.30-9.00 to 15.00.

Often US and Australian dollars are accepted for payment, especially in the southern regions of the country.

Useful information for tourists

The archipelago is almost untouched by tourism, few people visit this poor country, but they are attracted to the Solomon Islands by the genuine naturalness of everything that happens to be seen or visited.

There is practically nothing artificial or created specifically to please tourists. Those travelers looking for extraordinary natural settings will not be disappointed with any part of this small country - the islands have a well-deserved reputation as perhaps the best place in the world, as if by nature intended for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing.

Tipping is not accepted, but in case of good service, you can leave the staff 5% of the bill or an additional 1-2 dollars.

Black and red (the color of blood) colors are taboo on Laulasi and Bu-su, and visitors should take this into account when choosing clothes and jewelry for the trip.

Village life in the Solomon Islands is still surrounded by so many taboos. It is impossible to explain the meaning of all of them, but when visiting settlements one should be careful and limit one's curiosity as much as possible.

The term "taboo" means "sacred" ("holy") as well as "forbidden", so it's worth keeping in mind. Property rights are very important here - a tree, fruit or flower by the roadside most likely belongs to someone. For many islanders, income depends on what they grow, so the locals can expect a decent compensation if you pick a fruit that was intended for sale.

Clothing (or lack of it) among the islanders may vary, but travelers must be fully dressed. In many areas, it is considered "taboo" for a woman to stand above a man, and even more so a man, even a foreigner, should not deliberately take a place below a woman.

It is also forbidden to swim under a canoe in which there are women - it will probably have to be destroyed later, and for many islanders canoes are the only means of obtaining food.

As in all cultures of the world, taboos play the role of moral prescriptions or codes and are designed to protect the community, so it is not customary to punish the uninitiated, which includes foreigners. Nevertheless, compliance with local customs is desirable.

The Solomon Islands is a state located in Melanesia, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. It consists of 992 islands.

In 1568, the Spanish traveler A. Mendanya de Neira discovered these islands. The navigator managed to exchange a lot of gold from the locals. And he gave the name of the Solomon Islands in honor of magical land Ofir where, according to legend, King Solomon hid his treasures.

For the next two centuries, Europeans did not visit here. Only in 1767 the islands were discovered again by the Englishman F. Carteret.

Since the 1860s Europeans began to actively develop the territory of the Solomon Islands. The natives quickly realized the danger posed by the white man and killed every European who set foot on their land. That is why the Solomon Islands at that time had a reputation as the most hostile islands in the Pacific Ocean.

In 1893 the islands came under British rule. And since the beginning of the 20th century, the British created the first plantations of coconut palms here.

During the Second World War, part of the islands was captured by the Japanese. For a long time, bloody battles were fought here, many warships sank.

The Solomon Islands gained independence only in 1978.

The ethnic composition of the population of the islands is heterogeneous. The majority are Melanesians (over 90%), followed by Polynesians (3%), Micronesians (1.2%), Europeans and Chinese.

Holidays in the Solomon Islands are suitable primarily for those who want to enjoy untouched nature this region, as well as extreme sports, lovers of diving, snorkeling and fishing.

Capital	Honiara
Population	478,000 people
Population density	17 people/km²
	English
Religion	Christianity (97%)
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
	Solomon Islands dollar
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial, very humid and hot. The thermometer does not fall below +21 °C in winter, while in summer the temperature often exceeds +30 °C. Winter here is April-November. This is the dry season, which is characterized by cool (+23…+27 °C) weather. The time from December to March is called the wet season. The air temperature reaches its maximum, and the humidity rises to 90%. The amount of precipitation varies depending on the region of the archipelago.

In the summer, gale-force winds are possible, but here they are not as destructive as east of the Solomon Islands.

The most favorable time for traveling to the Solomon Islands is June - December. At this time, there is no sweltering heat, in addition, various festivals and festivities are held in June-August.

Nature

About 80% of the territory of the islands is covered with dense equatorial forests (ficuses, palm trees); dry places are characterized by savannahs; mangrove forests and swamps grow on the coasts.

The flora of the Solomon Islands is represented by more than 4,500 species of plants, among which there are more than 200 species of orchids alone. Often you can find sumai, nalato, hibiscus.

The fauna of the islands is also diverse: crocodiles, snakes, lizards, rats, bats, parrots, wild pigeons and others. You can often see rare giant butterflies here. Green turtles, tuna, dolphins, barracuda, sharks and many more species of fish live in coastal waters.

The Solomon Islands are also rich in minerals: silver, gold, copper, nickel.

in the east about. Rennell created with the support of UNESCO national park wildlife.

The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. Peak is the highest point in the country Popomanaceu (about Guadalcanal). Its height reaches 2335 meters.

Attractions

The Solomon Islands attract tourists, first of all, with their naturalness, the lack of desire to create something especially for tourists. It offers relaxation in natural natural conditions, and this is why the islands are valuable for the traveler.

Traveling around the islands usually starts from the capital of the state - Honiari. Here is a place called Point Cruz. According to legend, the Spaniard landed here for the first time. Mendana and erected a cross in honor of the discovery of the island.

It will also be interesting to visit National Museum, Parliament, Botanical Gardens, colorful Chinatown.

Just a few kilometers from the capital are the famous waterfalls Mataniko. Water falls into a cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites, after which it disappears into the bowels of the island.

An unforgettable trip to the lagoon Marovo. Here is the best tourist village in the country - World Heritage. The state, trying to preserve the unique flora and fauna of this place, has limited logging. The main income of local residents comes from tourism.

Village Nusambaruku (Fr. Gizo) is an example of a traditional isolated village. It consists of several buildings, which are located high on stilts. The village can only be reached by boat or by a narrow dam.

Islands Anarvon are located 280 km from the capital. This is a group of 100 islands, none of which is permanently inhabited, and many of them protrude only 20-30 cm above the sea, but this place is known for being home to the rarest sea turtles. A natural reserve was organized here: several dozen specially trained people monitor the safety of the lives of turtles and accompany tourists.

The Western Province is famous for its beauty and wealth. underwater world. Extreme lovers flock here aquatic species sports. Here are the most comfortable resorts.

The pearl of the Western Province can rightly be called the lagoon Marovo. This is the largest salt lagoon in the world (150 by 96 kilometers). Thousands of islands and coral reefs surround the lagoon.

Almost all southern part about. Rennell occupies the lake Tengano. It is the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific region. The lake and surrounding areas form the National Wildlife Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Nutrition

The cuisine of the Solomon Islands is a kind of mixture of the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, Europe and the countries of Oceania. It is characterized by the use of yams and taro leaves, tapioca (obtained from the roots of the cassava plant), coconut. Chefs at local restaurants mix the ingredients randomly and often get new and unique dishes.

Often food is cooked in special earthen ovens called umu. Meat and fish are usually baked on coals with a small addition of spices.

In addition to Melanesian and Polynesian, European and Asian dishes are perfectly prepared here. Moreover, they are no different from similar dishes prepared in Beijing or London.

Honiara has several European, Chinese and even Japanese restaurants. All of them are popular with tourists and locals.

The choice of drinks here is huge: local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as wines and beers imported from Chile, China, New Zealand.

Accommodation

In the Solomon Islands, underdeveloped tourism infrastructure. Comfortable living is provided only on largest islands archipelago: Guadalcanal, Hueli, Mangalonga, Gizo.

Hotels on these islands are something like resort complexes, where are placed tennis courts, swimming pools, playgrounds. It can be a few colorful eco-huts or bungalows.

Prices vary between $30-150 per day.

Before checking in, be sure to check the availability of mosquito nets in the room: local insects can be dangerous.

AT Honiara, right on the beach, is the most modern and prestigious hotel in the country - heritage park. To fully enjoy the nature of the Pacific coast, you can rent an apartment at the hotel. A great Double Room will cost you $300 per day.

Outside the capital and others major cities It is possible to stay right in the houses of local residents. In this case, payment is agreed in advance (focus on the amount of about $ 12-20 per day). Often, food is paid for housing.

Entertainment and recreation

The underwater world of the Solomon Islands literally attracts extreme people from all over the world. Sunken ships and planes, coral reefs, a variety of underwater inhabitants allow you to fully enjoy diving and snorkeling.

Good area for snorkeling about. Guadalcanal. About 50 huge warships are buried in the local waters. In most cases, they are located at a depth to which scuba diving is prohibited. However, the transparency of the water and the features of the bottom topography allow you to see the details without deep diving.

Island Savo called a paradise for divers. Having a volcanic origin, the island is constantly shrouded in clouds. There are no comfortable conditions for tourists here, but all this is more than offset by the abundance of sunken ships, a lot of hot mineral springs, crystal clear water.

The most picturesque reefs can be seen near the lagoon Marovo, near the islands Tavanipulu and Arnavon.

Diving in the Solomon Islands is not cheap. For one dive you will have to pay from $ 50-70.

Another way to spend time on the islands is fishing. The local waters are known for the diversity of fish and marine animals. Some travel agencies organize whole fish tours for Lola Island, into the lagoons Marovo and Won-Won.

Those wishing to get acquainted with the strange and enchanting rites of the locals simply need to visit the surroundings of the city. Auki(100 km from Honiara). Here you will witness the most dangerous ritual "shark challenge". Local sorcerers somehow manage to put the shark to sleep right in the water, and then manually raise it to the surface.

Centre cultural life states - Honiara. On the second Friday of June, the Queen's Birthday is celebrated here. The celebration is accompanied by a police parade, dances and sports competitions. On July 7, the whole country celebrates Independence Day.

If you find yourself in the Solomon Islands in mid-December, you can take part in the Western Seas Festival. At this time, there are numerous competitions of fishermen, canoe races and other competitions.

There are many good hiking trails in the Solomon Islands. Trekking lovers will be pleased with the routes walking tours organized from Honiara to the waterfalls Mataniko, from Gizo before Titian.

Purchases

Large shops and supermarkets are concentrated in the capital of the Solomon Islands. The prices of imported goods are very high.

When buying food, carefully monitor the shelf life: often the goods take a long time to sail from Singapore, China and other countries and deteriorate on the way.

Prices in the stores of the islands are not regulated by the state, so do not be surprised if the cost of the same goods in neighboring stores will differ significantly.

Be sure to visit the colorful markets of the country. Here you can buy all kinds of vegetables and tropical fruits, fresh fish, shells, handicrafts. Markets are open throughout the week. Remember that bargaining is not welcome here.

As a souvenir from the Solomon Islands, you can bring handmade wooden figurines that symbolize peace and tranquility.

Ritual wooden balls are very popular among tourists. According to legend, they can be used to summon the spirit of a deceased ancestor and ask for advice.

The local hand-painted wooden masks are also unusual. They, according to beliefs, give strength and dexterity to their owner, protect from evil spirits.

A good gift would be brooches, key chains, beads, bracelets made of shells, corals.

For some goods (especially handmade goods) two different prices are assigned: the first is for local residents, the second is for tourists.

Transport

international Airport Henderson Field is located 11 km from the capital and is named after a US major who died in the battle of Midway. For the runway, which later became the airport, there were heated battles between the Japanese and the Americans. The airport is small, but it has everything you need: taxi, car rental, ATM and exchange office. There are also about 30 small airports on the territory of the islands that serve local flights.

Only 2% of all roads in the Solomon Islands are paved. Most of the roads are owned by private plantation owners.

The most common transport that allows you to move from island to island is a ferry, or, as the locals call it, a water taxi. You will get a lot of impressions from a sea voyage. In most cases, maritime transport does not follow any schedule, the fare is quite low.

The most convenient way to get around in Honiara is by taxi. You can "vote" on the street or call it in advance. Taxi fare is $1.5 per kilometer.

There are few buses in the capital, the most common mode of transport here is minibuses, the ticket price is $ 0.4.

You can also rent a car. But drivers should be especially careful: the roads outside of Honiara are in a terrible state.

Connection

In the Solomon Islands, cell phone standard GSM 900. The level of communication is not very high yet. The only mobile operator Solomon Telecom provides good reception only in the region of Honiara, Auki, Gizo. In other areas, coverage is partial.

While on the islands, you can either buy a SIM card from a local operator or rent a phone.

There are about 300 pay phones in the country, and almost all of them are concentrated in Honiara, near banks, large shops and hotels. To use the payphone, you need to buy a prepaid card. It is sold in shops, kiosks, communication stores.

If you need to make an international call, it is better to use the services Solomon Telecom. The company's offices operate around the clock and are located in the capital, in many provincial centers, in all major hotels.

Internet connection is available in Honiara and in some provinces. There is a whole network of Internet cafes in the capital. The Wi-Fi network has just begun its development. Trial points are open only in Honiara and Gizo.

Security

Residents of the Solomon Islands are quite friendly to tourists. Theft is rare here, but in crowded places beware of pickpockets. Do not leave valuables and documents unattended, do not visit isolated areas alone.

It is recommended to visit the picturesque local settlements only with experienced guides who will tell you about certain features of local traditions. To avoid omissions and resentment on the part of the natives, it is necessary to obtain consent before visiting their home.

For Melanesians, property rights are very important. A tree, flower or fruit in the vicinity of a settlement may well belong to one of the residents. Therefore, in order not to provoke a conflict, do not tear anything without permission.

Be careful with your clothes: swimwear and shorts are only allowed on the beach, in other cases you need to hide your body as much as possible.

Local water can be hazardous to health, so only drink boiled or bottled water. Milk, meat, fish can be eaten only after heat treatment. Wash vegetables thoroughly, peel fruits.

Danger lurks and animal world islands. Scorpions, Javanese centipedes, blood-sucking insects, poisonous fish and snakes, some reptiles, forest ants can pose a threat not only to health, but also to life. To avoid meeting with them, move around the territory of the islands (especially the jungle) only accompanied by an experienced guide.

Business climate

The economy of the Solomon Islands has recently been rapidly developing and offers good business opportunities in areas such as mining, tourism infrastructure, agricultural industry, fishing, forestry.

Resident companies (shareholders who have the right to vote and are residents of the islands) pay 30% income tax from any source, regardless of their location. Non-resident companies are subject to 35% tax on income received in the territory of the islands.

The property

Exotic nature, good climate, low prices explain the demand for real estate in the Solomon Islands. Here you will not see high-rise apartment buildings. Most of the local population still lives in rural-type houses. Only in the capital there are chic modern buildings.

The legislation allows the purchase of real estate by foreigners. But this requires documents confirming the legality of the transaction.

Buying property in the Solomon Islands is quite problematic. The fact is that 95% of all the land of the islands belongs to indigenous peoples. For a foreign investor to buy a house, for example, it is necessary to conduct lengthy negotiations with members of various clans in order to find the owner of the land and negotiate a deal. Usually such negotiations take a lot of time and there are no guarantees that everything will be resolved in your favor. Community lands are rarely sold. But there is an opportunity to rent them for up to 75 years.

In the Solomon Islands, as in most other countries of Polynesia and Melanesia, it is not customary to leave a tip. According to local tradition, tips are perceived as a gift and imply a gift in return. Smiling and saying “thank you”, you fully thank for the services rendered.

Currency can be exchanged at a bank, in large shops and restaurants, some hotels, special exchange offices. There are also exchange machines in the capital, which are located mainly near bank offices. In the province, it is easiest to exchange currency at branches National Bank of the Solomon Islands. They are located in shops and post offices.

You can pay in Honiara credit card, in the province - only in cash.

Often, especially in the southern regions of the islands, US and Australian dollars are accepted for payment.

Jewelry and gold must be declared upon entry.

The export and import of items of historical value is prohibited: products made from coral, skins of tropical animals, bird feathers, sea turtle shell.

When you travel, make sure that you have all the necessary medicines in your first aid kit. In the Solomon Islands, it may be difficult to acquire them.

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SOLOMON ISLANDS

General information

Geographical position. Solomon Islands - a state located on 30 islands and many atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, east of New Guinea. The state includes almost the entire group of the Solomon Islands, with the exception of the islands of Bougainville and Buka. The largest of them are Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal and Vella Lavella, as well as the Santa Cruz Islands.

Square. The territory of the Solomon Islands occupies 27,556 sq. km.

Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the Solomon Islands is Honiara (39 thousand people). Administrative-territorial division of the country: 7 provinces.

Political system

The Solomon Islands are part of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislature is the National Parliament.

Relief. The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. active volcanoes: Balbi, Bagana. highest point country - Mount Popomanso (2331 m) is located on the island of Guadalcanal.

Geological structure and minerals. The bowels of the country contain reserves of gold, lead, zinc, nickel, phosphorites

Climate. The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial, very humid. Average monthly temperatures from +26°С to +28°С. Precipitation falls from 2,500 to 7,500 mm per year. From May to October, the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March, the northwest equatorial monsoon.

Soils and vegetation. Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palms, ficuses), savannahs are located in the driest places, mangroves predominate along the banks.

Animal world. The fauna of the Solomon Islands is represented by rats, mice, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, giant frogs.

Population and language

The population of the Solomon Islands is about 441 thousand people, the average population density is about 16 people per 1 sq. km. km. Ethnic groups: Melanesians-93%, Polynesians - 4%, Micronesians - 1.5%, Europeans - 0.8%, Chinese - 0.3%. Languages: English (official), pidgin (local dialect based on in English), about 80 local dialects.

Religion

Anglicans - 34%, evangelicals - 24%, Catholics - 19%, pagans.

Brief historical outline

The first European to visit the islands and give them a name was the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568. Northern part The archipelago was discovered in 1768 by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. In 1885, the islands came under the control of Germany, but in 1893, almost the entire archipelago, with the exception of Bougainville and Buka, was transferred to Great Britain. After the First World War, Australia received a mandate to administer the islands of Bougainville and Buka, while the southern part remained a protectorate of Britain. The Solomon Islands gained independence on July 7, 1978.

Brief economic essay

The basis of the economy is agriculture. The main agricultural crop is the coconut palm; cocoa, bananas, spices, and rice are also cultivated. Fishing. Lumbering. Export of fish, timber, copra, cocoa beans, palm oil.

The monetary unit is the Solomon Islands dollar.