Solomon Islands

the area code of Solomon Islands is 677. It is located in the South Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia and about 1,800 kilometres northwest of the capital, Honiara. The Solomon Islands consist of six major islands and over 900 smaller ones. The country has a total land area of 28,400 square kilometres. The official language in Solomon Islands is English, although many people also speak Pijin and other local languages. The population is estimated to be around 600,000 people, with most living on the larger islands such as Guadalcanal, Malaita and Makira-Ulawa. The main ethnic groups are Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian. The climate in Solomon Islands is tropical with temperatures ranging from 21°C to 32°C all year round. There are two main seasons – a wet season from December to April followed by a dry season from May to November. During this time rainfall is minimal and temperatures can reach up to 37°C on some days. Solomon Islands has a rich culture that reflects its diverse history as well as its geography and environment. Traditional music consists mainly of drums and stringed instruments while dancing often incorporates movements that imitate nature such as waves or birds in flight. There are also strong ties between traditional culture and religion with Christianity being the predominant religion in the country followed by other faiths such as Islam and Hinduism. The Republic of Solomon Islands is a parliamentary representative democratic country. The Prime Minister is the head of government and the Governor-General is the head of state. The Prime Minister is elected by Parliament and heads the cabinet, which consists of members of Parliament from the majority party or coalition. The unicameral National Parliament has 50 members, elected for four-year terms by popular vote. A number of political parties have been active in Solomon Islands politics over the years, including the People’s Alliance Party (PAP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), and the Solomon Islands Liberal Party (SILP). Currently, there are nine political parties represented in Parliament. All citizens aged 21 and above are eligible to vote in national elections. The judiciary is independent and separate from other branches of government, consisting of a Supreme Court, High Court, Magistrates’ Court and other lower courts.