Information and Facts About Solomon Islands — World Vision
| Overview The Solomon Islands comprise 922 islands that extend 900 miles (1,450 kilometers) southeast from Papua New Guinea across the Coral Sea to Vanuatu. Although the nation encompasses a half million square miles of ocean, its total land area is only 10,634 square miles (27,540 square kilometers)—a little smaller than Maryland. A scattered archipelago of about 1,000 mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls, the Solomon Islands lie east of Papua New Guinea and northeast of Australia in the south Pacific. The islands include Guadalcanal, Malaita, Santa Isabel, San Cristóbal, Choiseul, New Georgia, and the Santa Cruz group. The islands' tropical monsoon climate is hot and humid; high temperatures range from 82 to 93°F. Sea and mountain breezes provide some relief. The cyclone season (November–May) brings the most rain. Since early 1999, the Isatabu Freedom Movement, a militia group made up of indigenous Isatabus from Guadalcanal, has expelled more than 20,000 Malaitans from the island. The Malaitans had migrated from nearby Malaita, and many secured jobs in the capital, Honiara, stirring resentment among Isatabus that has grown steadily since independence. In response to the ethnic violence and expulsions, a rival Malaitan militia group was founded, the Malaita Eagle Force. In June 2000, the Malaita Eagle Force stole police weapons, forced Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufa'alu to resign, and seized control of Honiara. The rival groups agreed to a cease-fire in June 2000, barely averting a civil war. |  |
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| Although a peace agreement had been signed and elections had taken place, the country continued to suffer from lawlessness. In July 2003, at the request of the prime minister, a 2,250-strong international peacekeeping force led by Australia arrived on the island to restore order, disarm the militias, and expel the “thieves, drunkards, and extortionists” from the notoriously corrupt police force. Australia's intervention was highly successful, and two years after troops had arrived, the country remained relatively stable. In April 2006 Snyder Rini was appointed prime minister. Rioting and looting followed; many claimed Rini, who had previously served as deputy prime minister, was beholden to Chinese interests. Eight days later he stepped down. The parliament then elected the opposition candidate, Manasseh Sogavare, to the post. Some 80 indigenous languages and numerous dialects are spoken in the Solomons, but English is the official language. Nearly all Solomon Islanders (96 percent) are Christian. The Church of Melanesia (Anglican) has the largest following, with 33 percent. Other Christian congregations include Roman Catholic (19 percent), Baptist (17 percent), United Methodist/Presbyterian (11 percent), and the Seventh-day Adventist Church (10 percent). Most Solomon Islanders rely on subsistence farming and fishing; money is not always the medium of exchange. Land is owned by clans, and it is reserved for their members' use. Only 12 percent of the land is available for private leases of up to 75 years (the life of a coconut tree). Exports include timber, copra (dried coconut meat), cocoa, and tuna. Timber accounts for about half of all foreign earnings. Asian companies dominate the timber industry. A fleet of long-line fishing vessels catches tuna for a Solomons-Japanese joint venture. Nearly all manufactured items and all petroleum products are imported. The government is the largest employer but cannot absorb all who migrate to Honiara and other urban centers. Villages cannot support all who are unable to find jobs. The economy has suffered because of political instability and high debt. Less than 35 percent of the adult population is able to read or write Pijin or English. Most secondary students are boys, since education is viewed as a means of securing employment. Secondary schools are boarding schools, and students must pass exams to advance. Space is very limited and spots are filled by lottery. A magnitude 8.0 earthquake and tsunami struck the Solomon Islands in April 2007, killing at least 20 people and destroying villages. World Vision’s Work World Vision’s work in the Solomon Islands began in 1981 in the form of relief efforts. Community development work soon followed, and child sponsorship started in 1996. World Vision is helping to bring hope and practical assistance to some 25,000 people across the Solomon Islands through initiatives like the following:
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