Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islands is an island nation-state (sovereign country) with 6 major islands plus 900+ smaller isles. The Solomons are in Oceania (Pacific Ocean) to the northwest of Vanuatu and east of PNG-Papua New Guinea. The country has a total land area of approx 28,400 km2 (11,000 mi2) and population around 645,000.

The Solomon Islands are visited by smaller- to mid-sizes luxury cruise ships and expedition superyachts from the fleets of ultra-premium travel brands like Ponant, Silversea Expeditions, Seabourn, Crystal, Azamara, Hapag-Lloyd, Lindblad Expeditions. Among the visited destinations are Santa Cruz Islands (Utupua, Vanikoro, Banie, Teanu), Russell Islands (Pavuvu, Mbanika), Malaita Island (country's largest by population/over 160,000), Marovo Lagoon (New Georgia Islands), Florida Islands, Owaraha/Santa Ana Island, Njari Island, Nendo Island, Tikopia Island, Taro Island, Tulagi Island.

Tourism, particularly scuba diving and snorkeling, is a major industry for the Solomons. However, tourism growth is complicated by transportation limitations and lack of infrastructure.

Kennedy Island (aka Plum Pudding Island/Kasolo Island) was named after the USA's president J F Kennedy (1917-1963). The island is a 15-minute boat ride from Gizo (on Gizo Island). Although uninhabited, the isle is a popular tourist attraction.

Marovo Lagoon (in the Solomons' New Georgia Islands) by size (700 km2 / 270 mi2), is ranked the world's second-largest saltwater lagoon (after Suvadiva/Huvadhu Atoll - total area of 3152 km2 / 1217 mi2, containing 255 islands). Marovo Lagoon is surrounded by two extinct volcanic islands (Vangunu and Nggatokae) and is protected by a double-barrier reef. Some of Morovo's islands are populated, and their inhabitants are famous for their skilled wooded carvings. Diving tourism attracts travelers mainly from Australia and New Zealand and Americans.

The country's national carrier Solomon Airlines connects via regularly scheduled flights (from Honiara Airport/aka Henderson Field) with Fiji (Nadi), Vanuatu (Port Vila), and Australia (Brisbane). Domestic flights interconnect a total of 20 airports in the Solomons (one in each province). The airline Virgin Australia operates two weekly flights linking Honiara with Brisbane.

The country's capital city Honiara is on Guadalcanal Island. The country took its name from the Solomon archipelago - a collection of Melanesian islands also including North Solomon Islands (part of PNG), but excluding the outlying islands (like Santa Cruz and Rennell-Bellona).

The Solomons' first European - the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendana (1542-1595) - arrived in 1568 and named them "Islas Salomon". In June 1893, Britain defined its area of interest in the islands archipelago when Captain Gibson R.N. (HMS Curacoa) declared Southern Solomons a British protectorate. During WW2 (1939-45), the Solomon Islands campaign saw fierce fighting between the Empire of Japan (1868-1945) and the USA, such as in the Battle of Guadalcanal.

In 1975, the official name of this British overseas territory was converted from "British Solomon Islands Protectorate" to "Solomon Islands". Self-government was reached in 1976, while independence was obtained in 1978. Currently, the Solomons is a constitutional monarchy with the UK's Queen being also the Queen of Solomon Islands.

Solomon Islands courts re-approved the live dolphins' export for profit, most recently to Dubai UAE. In 2004, this practice was initially stopped by the government after the international uproar over the shipment of live dolphins to Mexico. This move resulted in criticism from Australia, New Zealand and a number of conservation organizations.