GEOGRAPHY
The Solomon Islands form an
archipelago in the Southwest Pacific about 1,900 kilometers (1,200
mi.) northeast of Australia. With terrain ranging from ruggedly
mountainous islands to low-lying coral atolls, the Solomons stretch
in a 1,450-kilometer (900 mi.) chain southeast from Papua New
Guinea across the Coral Sea to Vanuatu.
The main islands of Choiseul,
New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Guadalcanal, Malaita, and Makira have
rainforested mountain ranges of mainly volcanic origin, deep narrow
valleys, and coastal belts lined with coconut palms and ringed
by reefs. The smaller islands are atolls and raised coral reefs,
often spectacularly beautiful. The Solomon Islands region is geologically
active, and earth tremors are frequent.
The islands' ocean-equatorial
climate is extremely humid throughout the year, with a mean temperature
of 27° C (80° F) and few extremes of temperature or weather. June
through August is the cooler period. Though seasons are not pronounced,
the northwesterly winds of November through April bring more frequent
rainfall and occasional squalls or cyclones. The annual rainfall
is about 305 centimeters (120 in.).
More than 90% of the islands
is forested. The coastal strips are sheltered by mangrove and
coconut trees. Luxuriant rainforest covers the interiors of the
large islands. Soil quality ranges from extremely rich volcanic
to relatively infertile limestone. More than 230 varieties of
orchids and other tropical flowers brighten the landscape.
Area:
Land--27,556 sq. km. (11,599 sq. mi.). Archipelago--725,197
sq. km. (280,000 sq. mi.).
Cities: Capital--Honiara (on the island
of Guadalcanal), pop. 30,000. Other towns--Gizo, Auki, Kirakira.
Terrain: Mountainous islands.
Climate: Tropical monsoon.
