The Solomon Islands. Places to See

Guadalcanal

Guadalcanal Island, and is the largest group in the Solomon Islands. Mountainous and inhospitable island is almost all with slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallego, or Mount Gallego, Popomanaso, Makarakomburu, Tatuve, Kaichui - they all have a height of 2 km or more) and covered with dense tropical vegetation cover.

Honiara

The capital of the islands located on the northern coast of Guadalcanal, in the vast gulf between the peninsula of Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the same place, which de Mendanya called at the time Puente Cruz.

Savo

Permanently shrouded in clouds volcanic island of Savo, lying in the Strait of Iron Bottom Sound, is a paradise for divers and fans of other outdoor activities.

The almost complete lack of "civilization" is compensated by the abundance of wrecks (there was a famous battle of Savo Island), constantly smoking crater of the volcano and a lot of little boiling springs, some ancient cult sites - megapods, as well as a live bird community and the magnificent crystal clear waters.

Florida

On the Florida Island it is possible to see the old headquarters of the British colonial administration, with its hospital and headquarters, as well as the old Port-Parvis, who served the British Navy at first base, and then - the Japanese Imperial Navy. A small island Anuha widely known for its white sandy beaches.

Field of Malaita

Eastern Province, which bears the name from the largest island group, is the second largest and most densely populated of the Solomon Islands, although many of its inhabitants live in cities do not like Honiara or Gizo, but lost in the jungles and villages on the islands and towns.

The island of Malaita

A distinctive feature of the Malaita Island - a huge number of artificial islands, which were built by locals since ancient times right on the atolls and rocky islets of the lagoons.

The Solomon Islands

The Solomon Islanders comprise diverse cultures, languages, and customs. 93 % are Melanesian, 4% Polynesian, and 1.5% Micronesian. In addition, small numbers of Europeans and Chinese are registered. About 120 vernacular languages are spoken.

Most people reside in small, widely dispersed settlements along the coasts.

The capital city of Honiara, situated on Guadalcanal, the largest island, has 54,600 inhabitants. The other principal towns are Gizo, Auki, and Kirakira.

Most Solomon Islanders are Christian, with the Anglican, Roman Catholic, South Seas Evangelical, and Seventh-day Adventist faiths predominating. About 5% of the population maintains traditional beliefs.

The chief characteristics of the traditional Melanesian social structure are:

• The practice of subsistence economy;
• The recognition of bonds of kinship, with important obligations extending beyond the immediate family group; local and clan loyalties far outweigh regional or national affiliations.
• Generally egalitarian relationships, emphasizing acquired rather than inherited status; and
• A strong attachment of the people to the land.

Most Solomon Islanders maintain this traditional social structure and find their roots in village life.
It's hard to believe that until the 1930s these friendly, easy-going islanders were considered to be among the world's most violent and dangerous people. Head-hunting, cannibalism and skull worship were central elements of traditional culture, and sacred skull shrines remain as macabre and fascinating reminders of the old days.

Unfortunately, more recently the Solomons developed a dangerous reputation following the period of ethnic conflict in 1999 and 2000. In the ensuing years Guadalcanal and - to a lesser extent – Malaita Province experienced a major breakdown in law and order. The deployment of a regional assistance mission quickly re-established law and order, and it's now perfectly safe to travel anywhere in the Solomons except for rural Guadalcanal…and even there you can get around if you have a guide or officer to lead the way.