Solomon Islands: An Archipelago in Oceania (Melanesia)

Location

• ~1,800 km (1,100 mi) northeast of Australia
• North of Vanuatu
• East of Papua New Guinea
• South of the Equator, in the South Pacific

Geopolitical Context

Independent since 1978 (from UK). Member of the Pacific Islands Forum, Commonwealth, and UN. Capital: Honiara on Guadalcanal Island.

The islands stretch ~1,500 km east-west, covering diverse cultures and languages (70+). Strategic WWII history (Guadalcanal Campaign).