to consider. New Georgia Hotels. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, it accounted for 10. The archipelago has a population of. The Solomon Islands, site of the battle of Guadalcanal where so many Americans gave their lives in brutal combat to free the country, currently lacks a permanent U. Solomon Islands, a country of about 700,000 people in the South Pacific, had remained Covid-free throughout the pandemic, without a single case of the virus in 2020 and 2021. S Coast Guard Cutter last week. In Solomon Islands and across the Pacific Islands region, the U. Concerns over Chinese activity persisted in 2020. Choiseul Province. Though the plant has reopened under local management, the. The Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel is a more affordable hotel in Honiara that is also right in the city center. A former British Protectorate, the Solomon Islands achieved independence in 1978. The Solomon Islands National Development Strategy 2011‐2020 is intended to be a catalyst for development in the next 10 years in an effort to achieve the goals of Solomon Islands development agenda. Explore attractions, stories, guidebooks and. In terms of area, the Solomon Islands are the second largest country in Oceania after. The Santa Cruz Islands (of which Tikopia is part),. , of HMS Curacoa, declared the southern islands a British protectorate. Islands Choiseul Province Choiseul Island Taro Island Vaghena Island (Vaglena, Wagina) Western. Most Solomon Islanders reside in rural villages but Honiara, on the northwestern coast of Guadalcanal, is a burgeoning capital with a population of about 84. Daniel Suidani, the premier of Malaita, pictured outside his office in Auki on Oct. You’ll get a nice view of Solomons as you cross. If booking for a child who will turn 12 years of age during the journey, the flights must be booked as an adult for the entire journey. Langa Langa Lagoon. S. For Solomon Islands, logging has been the overwhelming focus of its economic and trade relationship with China, which is the destination for more than 90 per cent of its timber exports. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports programs that help communities adapt to the negative impacts of global climate change and supports disaster risk reduction programs to enhance local capacity for disaster response. Cyclones rarely hit the Solomon Islands. S. The country was colonized by the British and later gained its autonomy in the year 1978. A leaked draft of the. This is the Solomon Islands. Observers considered the 2019 parliamentary election generally free and fair, although there were incidents of vote buying. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy, whose fathers both fought there in World War II. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. More than 90% identify as Christians. to 6 a. Chargé d’Affaires ad interim at the new U. However, work still needs to be done in Solomon Islands to achieve gender equality. Little has changed in the Solomon Islands since they were first discovered by Europeans in 1568 when Spanish explorers first sailed into this tucked away corner of the South Pacific. Agency for International Development (USAID) supports programs that help communities adapt. mi. The 6 major islands are Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira,. Parliament elected Manasseh Sogavare prime minister after the election, and he formed a coalition government. More than 70 per cent of Solomon Islands' population is under the age of 35. The absence of early occupation in the Solomon Islands has been taken to mean that poor relations with non-Austronesians were a factor that could not be surmounted by Lapita migrants. May 6, 2022. C. While the agreement is unlikely to result in the establishment of a. The recent China-Solomon Islands security agreement has sparked concerns among the United States and its allies about a Chinese naval presence in strategically important waters. The Solomon Islands comprise a double chain of seven large and more than thirty small islands, located just east of New Guinea. Solomon Islands’ police force of about 1,400 struggles to manage law and order in a country of over 700,000 – about half the Australian per capita force. Bougainville Island is the largest in the archipelago, with an area of 9,300 km 2 (3591 sq miles). Like all passengers, children travelling on Solomon Airlines aircraft must be restrained during takeoff, landing, or. The Prime minister, elected by parliament, is the head of government and leads a group of cabinet ministers. Solomons Top 10 Must Dos. It is really an awesome place to visit and explore-out. The Solomon Islands did not allow a U. The country comprises most of the Solomons chain—with the. Although its venom is highly toxic, it is a very shy, secretive snake that few humans ever encounter. Nick Sas and Chrisnrita Aumanu-leong explain why. Embassy in Honiara, Solomon Islands less than one year after we announced our intent to open it. The Office of Culture is one of the Divisions of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Solomon Islands is a Pacific Island country situated north-east of Australia and west of Vanuatu. The 2021 Solomon Islands unrest was a series of demonstrations and violent riots in Solomon Islands from 24 to 27 November 2021. Nearly the entire population of the Solomon Islands comprises of Christians with 73. Heritage Park Hotel Honiara. To glimpse these sunken warriors is humbling, albeit a poignant reminder of the devastation of war. Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel. Stay. More than 95 percent of the population follows some sort of Christianity, including South Seas Evangelists, and Catholics. Tourism Solomons is the marketing arm of the Solomon Islands Government for the country’s tourism activities. S. N. Stars: 4. More. and its allies since it struck a. The Solomon Islands government on Friday declared a nightly curfew and advised all public servants to stay at home. Papatura (Santa Isabel) The most well known surf camp in the Solomon Islands, offering space for up to 27 guests, but capped at 14 surfers. S. Tourism Division The Tourism Division develops and implements policies, and administrates tourism development by providing training for existing and potential tourism operators of the Solomon. Welcome to the Solomon Islands, the 7th least travelled to country in the world, I bet that changes in the coming years, so get in NOW. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The United States opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands on Thursday in its latest move to counter China’s push into the Pacific. Heritage Park Hotel – Once a Governor’s mansion in Honiara, this highly-ranked sprawling hotel on the waterfront is situated a short stroll away from the National Museum. Gatokae Island Hotels. See full list on britannica. The Solomon Islands are an archipelago in the western Pacific, about 700 km from Neuguiniea. However, it turned out violent as protesters attempted to storm Parliament to depose Prime Minister Sogavare. Solomon Islands has confirmed it is drafting a security deal with China - a move that's triggered alarm in neighbouring Australia and other Western allies in the Indo-Pacific. 国家 としては イギリス連邦 の一員にして 英連邦王国 の一国であり、 首都 は ガダルカナル島 にある. The Department informed the government of Solomon Islands that the opening of the embassy became official as of January 27, 2023, and we thanked them for their support to advance our bilateral relationship in this way. The Solomon Islands is one of the last places in the Pacific that remains truly undiscovered. 184. 3 thousand in January 2023. #10 Best Value of 86 places to stay in Solomon Islands. Across the islands there are a range of cafes, from waterfront bars with too much fresh seafood to choose from on the menu, to downtown Chinatown with casual restaurants with a strong Asian influence. Solomons Top 10 Must Dos. National Geographic’s latest travel stories about Solomon IslandsWhat to bring. Mount Popomanaseu is the island's highest point and the highest in Solomon Islands, with an elevation of 7,661 ft (2,335 m. Team Solomon congratulates weightlifters’ queens IUMI Team Solomon Islands was over the moon Monday, to witness two their athletes Jenly Wini and Lora Maelosia won medals for Solomon Islands. The island chain has a. Beach. The Solomon Islands has temporarily halted all naval visits after failing to grant access to US and UK ships earlier this month. S. Kwaibala Waterfalls is one of the best places to go in Solomon Islands. daily, effective from Friday. The total land area is 27,990 Km2 (10,807 sq. ) northeast of Australia. Due to European influences throughout the Solomon Islands’ history, Christianity is the predominant faith in the country. Although the person of the sovereign is. government currently provides $21 million per year to Pacific Island. m. ABC/AP/Reuters. 2. 1 percent of the population is male. and Japanese forces, particularly on the island of Guadalcanal. 1 day ago · The Solomon Islands Men’s Basketball Team was defeated by Guam in an 87-53 goal margin match at the Friendship Hall in front of a cheering home crowd. with the. 72, indicating that the county’s debt-carrying capacity is moderate. mi. We […]The China-Solomon Islands security agreement alarms Western countries concerned about China’s growing influence in Oceania. Imagine crystal clear waters, lively coral, sandy uninhabited beaches lined with palm trees and sweet bungalows in the jungle…. Useful The Solomon Islands Facts For Travelers. The Culture Division preserves the Solomon Islands culture to ensure social and nation building through relevant policies and implementation strategies. S. Find what to do today or anytime in December. Destination Solomon Islands, a virtual guide to this Melanesian islands state in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea, formerly known as the British Solomon Islands. 10. . Speaking at a ceremony. They came under British jurisdiction in the 1890s; the British Solomon Islands Protectorate was declared in 1893. The largest island in the Solomons, Guadalcanal hosts the national capital, Honiara. It lives in forested areas near streams and lakes. ECONOMY Its per capita GDP of $340 ranks Solomon Islands as a lesser developed nation, and more than 75% of its labor force is engaged in subsistence farming and fishing. 1. One of the most senior US officials in the Pacific has refused to rule out military action against Solomon Islands if it were to allow China to establish a military base there, saying that the. The Solomon Islands, lying within 12 degrees latitude of the equator and more than 1500km from the nearest continent, has a climate typical of many tropical areas, being characterised by high and rather uniform temperature and humidity and, in most areas, abundant rainfall in all months. At an event to mark the occasion, Chargé Comeau stated, “The Government of Solomon Islands has more direct access to a broader range of opportunities for engagement through our new embassy. In recent years, the Pacific nation of Solomon Islands has been in the news for its controversial and secretive security pact with China. The Japanese lost 31,000 men, 38 ships, and 683 aircraft. Forget what travelling the Pacific used to be like – around the Solomon Islands it's still that way. 24pm tomorrow while the gold medal final will be at 9pm tomorrow. The Solomon Islands are made up of over 900 islands, around half of which still remain uninhabited. It provides practical information to help investors understand registered land leases and development. Solomon Islands sent a team of three competitors to Los Angeles in 1984: two track athletes, Johnson Kere and Charlie Oliver, and weightlifter Leslie Ata. ww2dbase Battle of Eastern Solomons 23-25 Aug 1942. S. Solomon Islands has taken a key step in advancing its tourism industry with the launch of guides for investors and the government, to ensure this vital sector remains a long-term driver of job creation, sustainable economic growth, and benefits for many people. The six major islands are Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira, New Georgia and Santa Isabel. 82 reviews. “This is one of the most beautiful examples to date of the. China’s foreign ministry announced late on Tuesday that a security deal with Solomon Islands had been signed. History of Solomon Islands. See FlySolomons. I often use the postcard availability as frame of reference for gauging tourism in a country. Solomon Islands is a constitutional multiparty parliamentary democracy. The islands were named in 1568 by the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña, who claimed that he had found the riches of King Solomon, or the biblical land of gold. ”The total budget was SBD 14. S. Solomon Islands national broadcaster's new studio to broadcast the games came through a $5 million gift from Saudi Arabia — a country ranked 170th in the world. Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and U. [10] 所罗门群岛共有超過990個島. An island group in the western South Pacific Ocean, north-east of Australia, with over 1,000 islands distributed across Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. Traffickers subject local, South Asian, and Southeast Asian men and women to forced. Solomon Islands. The British Solomon Islands Protectorate was first declared over the southern Solomons in 1893, when Captain Gibson, R. By Lucy Craymer. Solomon Islands is an archipelago consist of 9 provinces, and the only Island in the South pacific that has accommodates the 3 races of the Pacific as mentioned above, and the only country that you will discover the darkest to the whitest skin which makes Solomon Islands so Solomon, so different. Solomon Islands is an Oceanian island country located in the northeastern part of the continent, in the Western Pacific Ocean. vessel was denied entry. Coast Guard vessel to make a routine stop to refuel and resupply at a port in the Pacific island nation that has lately fallen under China's sphere of influence. Join us as we take you through 10 reasons why you should visit us. Following their attack on Pearl Harbor on. The Solomon Islands government has declared a nightly curfew and advised all public servants to stay at home as violent protests continued for a third day on Friday, with crowds gathering at the. S. Solomon Islands. mi. 3 percent and about 70 percent of the country’s population of about 734,000 people are aged under 35 years. The history of the island starts around 2000 B. The Solomon Islands Campaign cost the Allies approximately 7,100 men, 29 ships, and 615 aircraft. To get a real taste of Solomon Islands, head to the Central Market, a must-do shopping experience. The Solomon Islands, which sit in a strategic but politically volatile part of the world, switched allegiance from Taiwan to China in 2019, underlining Beijing’s expanding influence in a region. The current ambassador of China to Solomon Islands is Li Ming. We share similar COVID-19 response goals—to save lives and livelihoods and emerge stronger post-pandemic. S. mi. In 2018, they rebranded from being known as the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau. This land area is approximately 115% of the area of Maryland. 05 billion for the nine months to September 2023. The last of the islands listed is also home to the country’s capital city, Honiara. Its score is 0. In response. GDP1. This approach has failed. Its land mass of 28,400 km². Solomon Islands form an archipelago in the Southwest Pacific Ocean approximately 1,200 miles northeast of Australia. This archipelago of over 900 islands boasts pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. A United States Coast Guard vessel was unable to enter Solomon Islands for a routine port call because the Solomon Islands government did not respond to a request for it to refuel and provision, a. The Solomon Islands said that despite a recent pact with China, it won't allow the major power to build a military base, and the two are only collaborating on security and naval refueling. They comprise two major parallel island chains extending some 1800 kilometres from the Shortland Islands in the west. For a discussion of the history of Solomon Islands in its broader, regional context, see Pacific Islands. November to March welcomes the rainy season which is noticeably more humid and warm. The capital, Honiara, is located on Guadalcanal, the largest island. It is thought by some that ancient peoples may have arrived into parts of the Solomons as early as 25-30,000 BC after very slowly dispersing through South East Asia. The Solomon Islands Tourism: Investor Guide has been developed to help investors understand the process of investing in land for tourism development projects. With terrain ranging from ruggedly mountainous islands to low-lying coral atolls, the Solomons stretch in a chain southeast from Papua New Guinea. S. You can’t keep 900 islands secret for a long time though, and this is sure to change in the future. S Coast Guard Cutter last week. During World War II, most planters and traders were evacuated to Australia. . Solomon Islands is a parliamentary democracy within the British Commonwealth. Solomon Islands is a constitutional multiparty parliamentary democracy. 8 hours ago · Solomon Islands took an early lead however, captain Sofi Diyalowai equalised in the 4th minute. The U. The Solomon Islands are an archipelago of 992 tropical islands and atolls, scattered in a gentle curve. There are six large islands surrounded by 900 smaller ones. It is the 139th largest country in the world in terms of land area with 28,896 square kilometers (11,000 square miles). is covered by land while the rest is composed of water. Solomon Islands had previously been among only a handful of countries with diplomatic ties to Taipei rather than Beijing — a significant proportion of which are in the South Pacific. Temperatures across the country range between 25-32°C and precipitation ranges between 3000-5000 millimeters annually, although the most intense part of the rainy season occurs during the north-westerly monsoonal winds that bring tropical cyclones across the archipelago between December. Wed 1 Dec 2021 01. 8 million climate resilience project will help children and communities in the low-lying Pacific Island nation adapt to the worsening impacts of the climate crisis. The archipelago. As of February 2021, only 8% of seats in parliament. MELBOURNE, Australia — After days of riots in the Solomon Islands during which protesters called for Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare to resign, set buildings ablaze and looted. Islands and provinces of Solomon Islands in 1989 (click to enlarge). Why a Chinese Security Deal in the Pacific Could Ripple Through the World. RegionAsia-Pacific. The country is relatively well endowed with natural. 56'' S. com Learn about the geography, location, and history of Solomon Islands, a double chain of 992 volcanic islands and coral atolls in Melanesia, located in southwest Pacific Ocean. Kolombangara Island is a near circular extinct volcano about 30km across that rises 1800m from the sea forming the highest mountains in Western Province of the Solomon Islands. King Solomon Hotel: Located in Honiara, this hotel offers comfortable rooms and a range of facilities, including a swimming pool and restaurant. Daniel Suidani, a vocal critic of China and leader of the Solomon Islands’s largest province, has been removed from office after a no-confidence vote in the provincial legislature. It is high time for the U. Solomon Islanders share a diverse history and cultural background. MELBOURNE, Australia — In a fiery speech confirming that the Solomon Islands has drafted a security agreement with China, the island nation’s leader said on Tuesday that the deal was “ready. HONIARA, SOLOMON ISLANDS — A high-ranking U. The deal, which Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare described as a ‘treaty’ to the Solomon Islands Parliament, has not been made public. S. This potential agreement is the latest in a string of PRC offers of security assistance to Pacific Island nations, including. Solomon Islands. What is the security situation in the Solomon Islands? The Solomon Islands, with a population of less than 700,000, is a chain of hundreds of islands lying east of Papua New Guinea in the Pacific. This archipelago of over 900 islands boasts pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and an abundance of marine life. Day one of weightlifting competition was held yesterday a. For days, chaos rocked downtown Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. The Santa Cruz Islands (of which Tikopia is part), are situated north of Vanuatu and are especially isolated at more than 200km (120 mi) from the other islands. S. From 2003 to 2017, the Australian-led multi-national Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands was. 6. The index measures the amount of human capital that a child born today can expect to attain by age 18, given the risks of poor health and poor. WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The United States opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands on Thursday in its latest move to counter China’s push into the Pacific. The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. ’ reflects the dawn of a new era for the Solomon Islands tourism industry. The Solomon Islands gave notice of the decision after a U. 11. China's new five-year deal with the Solomon Islands, subject to automatic renewals, will allow Beijing to use the islands to base its military and to do pretty much what the Chinese military wants. Location Forming a scattered archipelago of mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls, the Solomon Islands stretches about 900 miles in the south-easterly direction from the Shortlands Islands to the Santa Cruz. For now,. The Solomon Islands is known for its finely made, intricately designed handcrafts. World War II destroyed large parts of Solomon Islands and a nationalism movement emerged near the end of the war. As the national tourist office, Tourism Solomons is playing a key role in achieving this target, helping promote and market the Solomon. For centuries, many self-governing villages speaking separate languages lived on the six, big, volcanic islands and scores of atolls in the Melanesian archipelago. Despite being. 7 min read. Pristine reefs, dreamy castaway islands and soaring volcanic peaks sit alongside slow-paced village life, a strong cultural identity and a rich, sometimes turbulent past. Solomon Islanders are predominantly Melanesian – about 95% – with smaller Polynesian, Micronesian, Chinese and European communities. It said Wong was the latest foreign figure to arrive on Solomon Island shores after. The son of missionaries from the Solomon Islands, Sogavare, 67, was born in Papua New Guinea at a time of increasing calls for independence from Australia. The first European expedition to the islands was made by Álvaro de Mendaña de Neira, a Spanish explorer who named them "the Islands of Solomon. About Tourism Solomons. Katherine (Kemy) Monahan is Chargé d'Affaires a. Solomon Islands sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an arc along the Pacific Ocean rim where many volcanic eruptions and earthquakes occur. However, the earliest date of known human habitation has been put at 1300. The Solomon Islands has had a tense relationship with the U. 2. Only 347 of the islands are populated. By The Associated Press. 62 million) was divided among the 50 constituencies that comprise the country, with the remaining SBD two million ($259,000) allocated to the ministry for miscellaneous religious activities throughout the year. That the Solomon Islands was a failed state took on a greater sense of urgency. These islands are laid-back, welcoming and often surprisingly untouched. A comprehensive overview of the geography, people, government, economy, and history of Solomon Islands, a group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean. Summary of cost of living in Solomon Islands. According to a 2003 assessment, “over the past five years, a slow-burning political and security crisis has paralyzed the country's capital, stifled its economy, disrupted government, discouraged aid donors, and inflicted suffering and hardship on its people. We offer flights between Australia and Honiara as well as 19 destinations within the Solomon Islands. Plan Your Trip to Solomon Islands: Best of Solomon Islands Tourism. Thủ đô của nơi đây là Honiara, tọa lạc trên đảo Guadalcanal. We have reviews of the best places to see in Solomon Islands. This brightly colored snake averages 3 to 4 feet. Cuisine of the Solomon Islands. Photograph: Reuters. The adolescent birth rate is 78 per 1,000 women aged 15-19 as of 2013, up from 61. WASHINGTON, Feb 1 (Reuters) - The United States has opened an embassy in the Solomon Islands after a 30-year absence as it seeks to boost diplomatic relations in the Pacific as a counter to China. 4 Review score 51 reviews. A longtime critic of the. In 1942, Japan invaded Solomon Islands (a scattered archipelago west of New Guinea). Travelling the Solomon Islands reminds me a lot of travelling Bangladesh. The governor of Solomon Islands’ central bank says that while exempt from paying export taxes, Bintang Mining Company, one of the major operators on the island, contributed SBD$142m (US$17. Manasseh Damukana Sogavare (born 17 January 1955) is the sixth and current Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, serving since 24 April 2019. Excellent island holiday destination. The Solomon Islands, an enchanting destination for surf travelers, offer much more than just perfect waves. From WWII relics scattered in the jungle to leaf. The two countries are close to signing a security deal which would give China a military base in the Pacific. The human population of 560 000 is spread across 28 000 km 2 making it amongst the most sparsely populated of Pacific Island nations. In 2020, USAID launched the five-year,. Area: 11,000 sq mi (28,400 sq km). The agreement, Beijing says, is to promote peace and stability and runs “parallel and complimentary. The Solomon Islands has awarded a multi-million-dollar contract to a Chinese state company to upgrade an international port in Honiara in a project funded by the Asian Development Bank, an. Honiara is also the largest city in the country. delegation lands in the Solomon Islands on Saturday, as Washington wrestles with Beijing for influence in the region months after the Pacific. All travelers age 18 and older must be fully vaccinated to enter the Solomon Islands. 156194 and is part of the Oceania continent. Where to stay in Solomon islands. Observers objected to the proposal, calling it unrealistic. 3% of women aged 20–24 years old who were married or in a union before age 18. 7% to K2. 24b, compared to K1. Agnes Lodge. It is made of 6 main islands and over 900 islets, is located to the east of Papua New Guinea, has been inhabited since at least 30,000 BCE, and used to be a British colony. A second quake, with a magnitude of 6. 64571 and longitude 160. 5 million ($1. Learn. A parrot in the Solomon Islands (Shutterstock) 27. S. The United States can no longer rely on our shared WWII history with Solomon Islands as a way to counter China’s influence. Solomon Islands - Melanesian, WWII, Colonization: This section focuses specifically on the history and development of the area and country now known as Solomon Islands. Concerns over China’s Pacific expansion reached a fever pitch with the signing of an agreement between the Solomon Islands and Beijing in April. Solomon Islands ousts official who is critical of close relations with China. The Solomon Islands are an island nation located in Oceania. ,000. The bridge is a tall one, reaching 135 feet. 36 tonight. Beautiful traditional style carvings, baskets and jewellery as well as modern paintings can be purchased at markets and villages throughout the Solomons and viewed at the National Art Gallery in Honiara. The population density in the Solomon Islands is 26 per Km 2 (69 people per mi 2). The Solomon Islands is one of the most vulnerable places in the world to rising sea levels and extreme weather events like cyclones. Daniel Suidani, a long-time critic of the Solomon Islands central government’s deepening ties with China, was ousted on February 7, after 17 members of the provincial. The Solomon Islands were initially settled by at least 2000 bce—well before the archaeological record begins—probably. for Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. government currently provides $21 million per year to Pacific. The Solomon Islands, located northeast of Australia, is an archipelago of more than 900 islands with a total population of about 734,000 people. The prime minister of Solomon Islands, Manasseh Sogavare (L), and the Chinese. Unexploded Ordnance: Unexploded World War II ordnance remains in the Solomon Islands, particularly in the areas of Hell’s. As Ilhas Salomão (em inglês Solomon Islands, pronunciado: [ˈsɒləmən ˈaɪləndz]) são um país no oceano Pacífico, na Melanésia, situados no arquipélago de mesmo nome (com excepção das ilhas Bougainville, Buka e outras ilhas menores que constituem a extremidade noroeste do arquipélago). In potentially opening the door to a Chinese military base, the Solomon Islands threatens the balance of power in a vital. Solomons sovereignty at risk. Despite this low population density, the majority of. The Solomon Islands chain consists of several large volcanic islands to the south-east of Papua New Guinea, as well as outlying islands and atolls. He previously held the office in 2000–2001, 2006—2007 and 2014–2017; in all he has served over nine years as prime minister. 1. India Solomon Islands country profile 23 August The Solomon Islands chain consists of several large volcanic islands to the south-east of Papua New Guinea,.