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); 518,000 (2008E).

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

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

Monetary Unit: Solomon Dollar (official rate December 1, 2009: 7.84 dollars = $1US).

Sovereign: Queen ELIZABETH II.

Governor General: 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: Dr. Derek SIKUA (Coalition for National Unity and Rural Advancement); elected by the National Parliament on December 20, 2007, succeeding Manasseh Damukana SOGAVARE (Solomon Islands Social Credit Party), who had failed a nonconfidence vote on December ...