Country
Countries A-Z
Solomon Islands
Political Status: Former British-administered territory; achieved internal self-government on January 2, 1976, and full independence within the Commonwealth on July 7, 1978.
Area: 10,639 sq. mi. (27,556 sq. km.).
Population: 409,042 (1999C); 519,000 (2004E).
Major Urban Center (1990E): HONIARA (35,300).
Official Language: English (Solomons Pidgin is the effective lingua franca).
Monetary Unit: Solomon Dollar (official rate July 1, 2005: 7.52 dollars = $1US).
Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.
Governor General: Nathaniel WAENA; elected by the National Parliament on June 15, 2004, and sworn in on July 7 for a five-year term, succeeding Sir John Ini LAPLI.
Prime Minister: Sir Allan KEMAKEZA (People's Alliance Party); elected by the National Parliament on December 27, 2001, following the general election of December 5, succeeding Manasseh Damukana SOGAVARE (People's Progressive Party).
The Country
The Solomons comprise a twin chain of ...