Pacific Island Paradises

– 198 – www.paradises.com Virtually untouched by commercial development, the Solomon Islands are a natural paradise located south-east of Papua New Guinea and only three hours by air from Brisbane, Australia. The people of the Solomons still practise a traditional way of life, preferring to respect the old customs and traditions. They believe in maintaining and preserving their beautiful unspoiled environment. The islands are covered in tropical rainforest and their steep hilly slopes are interspersed with swift f lowing creeks, waterfalls and peaceful lagoons. Capital and major centres The Solomon Islands are geographically fragmented with six main islands and hundreds of smaller islands, including man-made atolls. The main islands are Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, San Cristobal, Malaita and New Georgia. Volcanoes with varying degrees of activity are situated on some of the larger islands, while many of the smaller islands are simply tiny atolls covered in sand and palm trees. The people The islanders are smiling, warm, friendly people, mostly Melanesian (90 percent), with some Polynesian, Gilbertese, European and Asian. English is the official language, though there are more than 120 indigenous languages, including pidgin English, spoken throughout the island group history. History It is believed that the Austronesians discovered the Solomon Islands about five thousand years ago and Melanesian hunter and gatherer voyagers first settled in the larger islands. Polynesians known as the seafarers later arrived and settled in the smaller islands and atolls that border Solomon Islands' northern and eastern boundaries. The Spanish were the first Europeans to visit the islands, Alvaro de Mendana naming them the Solomons. He also named the islands of Santa Isabel, Guadalcanal and San Cristobal. Some of the fiercest fighting of World War 2 took place in and around Honiara and names such as Bloody Ridge, Red Beach, Skyline Ridge and Henderson Field will live long in the memories of both sides of the conf lict. Here in 1942, the bloodiest and longest campaign saw the loss of nearly 38,000 lives and the turning point of the war in the Pacific. There are many battle sites and relics of the war to be found not only here, but throughout the islands. The Solomons became a fully independent nation in 1978 and today the country operates under a provincial government system of nine provinces. The national parliament adopted a Westminster system and has a democracy-style government. Nature The Solomon Islands' archipelago offers one of the richest underwater worlds on the earth and boasts kilometres of deserted sandy beaches and an unparalleled sense of calm. Lush tropical rainforests cover most of the island group. Exotic orchids, ferns and palms are found everywhere and butterflies and exotic birds are abundant. There are more than 70 species of reptiles. A variety of trees and shrubs have been introduced along with fruits and vegetables. S O L O M O N I S L A N D S Buala SANTA ISABEL Kira Kira Santa Ana Honiara Auki Yandina New Georgia Islands BOUGAINVILLE STRAIT Kumbakale Papara Noho Sasamungga Gizo Vangunu SOLOMON SEA SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN MALAITA MAKIRA GUADALCANAL GUADALCANAL PROVINCE CENTRAL PROVINCE WESTERN PROVINCE

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