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: 568,501 (2012E—UN); 585,578 (2012E—U.S. Census).

Major Urban Center (2005E): HONIARA (61,000).

Official Language: English (Solomons Pidgin is the effective lingua franca).

Monetary Unit: Solomon Dollar (official rate October 3, 2011: 7.40 dollars = $1US).

Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.

Governor General: Sir Frank Ofagioro KABUI; elected by the National Parliament on June 15, 2009, and sworn in on July 7 for a five-year term, succeeding Sir Nathaniel WAENA.

Prime Minister: Danny PHILIP (Solomon Islands Reform and Democratic Party); elected by the National Parliament on August 25, 2010, succeeding Dr. Derek SIKUA (Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement).

The Country

The Solomons comprise a twin chain ...