Solomon Islands

n. group of islands in the Pacific ocean

Solomon Islands (the official name since independence has no article) is a nation in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. Together they cover a land mass of 28,400 square kilometres (10,965 sq mi). The capital is Honiara, located on the island of Guadalcanal.
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Noun
1. the southern Solomon Islands that since 1978 form an independent state in the British Commonwealth
(hypernym) country, state, land
(part-holonym) Solomons, Solomon Islands
(part-meronym) Bougainville
2. the northernmost islands are part of Papua New Guinea; the remainder form an independent state within the British Commonwealth
(synonym) Solomons
(hypernym) archipelago
(part-holonym) Melanesia
(part-meronym) Guadalcanal

Flag of Solomon Islands
Background The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, Prime Minister Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has been very effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions. Map of Solomon Islands More about Solomon Islands: Geography People Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Chief of state: Queen ELIZABETH II (since 6 February 1952); represented by Governor General Nathaniel WAENA (since 7 July 2004)

Head of government: Prime Minister Derek SIKUA (since 20 December 2007); note - Prime Minister Manasseh SOGAVARE defeated in a no confidence vote in parliament on 13 December 2007; SIKUA elected on 20 December 2007

Cabinet: Cabinet consists of 20 members appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament

Elections: the monarch is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of Parliament for up to five years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the leader of the majority party or the leader of a majority coalition is usually elected prime minister by Parliament; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister from among the members of Parliament