Geography of Solomon Islands- The Ultimate Free Guide 2021
Learn facts and Geography of Solomon Islands including Major Geographical Features, Natural resources, Region, area, Capital, Border countries, rivers in Solomon Islands.
- Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu. It has a land area of 28,400 square kilometers (11,000 sq mi), and a population of 652,858.
- The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands that also includes the North Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea), but excludes outlying islands, such as the Santa Cruz Islands and Rennell and Bellona.
- The islands have been settled since at least some time between 30,000 and 28,800 BC, with later waves of migrants, notably the Lapita people, mixing and producing the modern indigenous Solomon Islanders population. In 1568, the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña was the first European to visit them, naming them the Islas Salomón.
- The official name of the then-British administration was changed from the British Solomon Islands Protectorate to the Solomon Islands in 1975, and self-government was achieved the following year.
- Independence was obtained, and the name changed to just “Solomon Islands” (without the definite article), in 1978. At independence, Solomon Islands became a constitutional monarchy.
- The Queen of Solomon Islands is Elizabeth II, represented by the Governor-General.
- The country’s islands lie between latitudes 5° and 13°S, and longitudes 155° and 169°E.
- The Solomon Islands also includes isolated low-lying coral atolls and high islands including Sikaiana, Rennell Island, Bellona Island, the Santa Cruz Islands and the remote, tiny outliers, Tikopia, Anuta, and Fatutaka.
Geography of Solomon Islands
Region:
Oceania
Area:
Ranked 139th
Capital:
Honiara
Population:
652,857
Bordering Countries:
Solomon Islands’ nearest neighbors are Vanuatu to the south-east and Papua New Guinea to the west.
Total Size:
28,896 km2
Geographical Coordinates:
8°00′S 159°00′E
World Region or Continent:
Pacific Ocean
General Terrain:
The country is mainly mountainous and covered in forests, although it has some extensive plains. Solomon Islands’ nearest neighbor’s are Vanuatu to the south-east and Papua New Guinea to the west.
Geographical Low Point:
Pacific Ocean 0 m
Geographical High Point:
Mount Popomanaseu 2,332 metres (7,651 ft)
Climate:
- The climate is tropical, though temperatures are rarely extreme due to cooling winds blowing off the surrounding seas. Daytime temperatures are normally 25 to 32 °C (77 to 90 °F). From April to October (the dry season), the southeast trade winds blow, gusting at times up to 30 knots (55 km/h) or more.
- November to March is the wet season—the northwest monsoon—typically warmer and wetter. Cyclones arise in the Coral Sea and the area of the Solomon Islands, but they usually veer toward Vanuatu and New Caledonia or down the coast of Australia.
Major cities:
- Auki
- Buala
- Gizo (Ghizo)
- Honiara
- Kamaosi
- Kirakira (Kaokaona)
- Lata (Santa Cruz)
- Maniora
- Munda
- Noro
- Taro Island
- Tigoa (Tinggoa)
- Tulagi (Tulaghi)
Major Land forms:
Most of the smaller islands are low coral atolls. Solomon Islands lies on the Transitional Zone along the edge of the Pacific and Australian Tectonic Plates.
Major Rivers and Lakes:
Major Rivers:
The longest river in the Solomon’s is the Lungga River with a catchment area of 377km2.
Major Lakes:
There are no major lakes in Solomon Islands. There are several smaller ones, including Lake Te Nggano.
Natural Resources:
The Solomon Islands economy relies heavily on natural resources exports such as timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa, other agriculture products, and gold.
Major Geographical Features:
Biomes & Ecosystems:
Tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests.
Topography:
The topography varies from the volcanic peaks of Guadalcanal to low-lying coral atolls. Densely forested mountain ranges are intersected by precipitous, narrow valleys. The highest peak is Mt.
Oceans:
Pacific Ocean
Islands:
- Malaita
- Santa Isabel Island
- Ghizo Island
- Guadalcanal
- Santa Isabel Island
- Makira (San Cristobal)
- Nendo Island
- Makira (San Cristobal)
- New Georgia
- New Georgia
- Taro Island
- Rennell Island (Mungava)
- Tulagi
Mountain Ranges:
- Mount Popomanaseu
- Mount Makarakomburu
- Mount Veve
- Tinakula
- Mount Kalourat
- Kavachi
Provinces of Solomon Islands :
- Malaita Province
- Isabel Province
- Western Province
- Guadalcanal Province
- Isabel Province
- Makira-Ulawa Province
- Temotu Province
- Makira-Ulawa Province
- Western Province
- Western Province
- Choiseul Province
- Rennell and Bellona Province
- Central Province
See Also:
References:
Web Reference – Geography of Solomon Islands
