Melanesia's Pacific Island Nations: A Quick Reference

The Melanesia subregion of Oceania includes the following independent countries and territories:

• Fiji – Independent republic
• Solomon Islands – Independent monarchy (Commonwealth)
• Vanuatu – Independent republic
• Papua New Guinea – Independent monarchy (Commonwealth)
• New Caledonia – French overseas territory (special collectivity)

Melanesia means "black islands" (Greek melas + nesos), referring to the dark skin of its Indigenous inhabitants. It stretches from New Guinea to Fiji.