What are the Solomon Islands? Solomon Islands: general information
Solomon islands is an archipelago located in Near Oceania. The westernmost point of the archipelago is Autonomous region Bougainville belongs to Papua, and the rest of the islands belong to the state of the same name, the Solomon Islands.
The total length of the archipelago is 1,100 kilometers and the width is 600 kilometers. The total land area of the Solomon Islands is approximately 40,000 square kilometers.
Story
The appearance of the first people on the islands occurred during the Paleolithic period, about 28,000 years ago. The first wave of settlers came from New Guinea, but they settled only on western islands archipelago. The islands were fully populated only by the twentieth century thanks to Europeans.
In 1567, the first expedition to the Solomon Islands took place, led by Alvaro de Mandana. During the expedition, such islands of the archipelago as Ramos, San Jorge, San Dimas, San Marcos, San Cristobal and many others were explored.
Interest in the Solomon Islands was caused by the Inca legend, according to which the Mines of King Solomon and a lot of gold were kept on these islands. Unfortunately, the Spaniards did not find the treasure, but thanks to this, the archipelago got its name.
From the mid-nineteenth century, missionaries became interested in the archipelago; they arrived on the islands with the goal of persuading the natives to Christianity. But no significant progress was made, as other Europeans at this time began to kidnap local residents and forced them to work on plantations, because of this the level of trust between the natives and the missionaries dropped greatly.
From 1863 to 1904, the slave trade flourished in the Pacific Ocean and the inhabitants of the Solomon Islands fully felt this phenomenon, because during this time about 100,000 people were kidnapped or taken into slavery.
In 1970, a Government Council was created on the islands, in 1974 their own constitution appeared, in 1976 the islands achieved self-government, and in 1978 full independence was achieved.
Hurricanes
Various cyclones and hurricanes often come to the archipelago. So in 1992, the island of Tikopia was devastated by a cyclone. And in 2002, another cyclone, Zoya, devastated several islands, isolating about 3,000 people.
Geography
The Solomon Islands consist of two parallel mountain ranges, in an area of high seismic activity. The largest islands consist of volcanoes. The archipelago is dominated by rainforests, swamps, jungle. The shores of the islands are often covered with a fringe of coral reefs. The highest point of the archipelago is Bougainville Island with maximum height 3123 meters.
Climate
The climate is equatorial, average temperature is +27 degrees Celsius. The average annual precipitation is 3600 mm, and the islands have high humidity. Due to high temperatures and high humidity, the archipelago has a big problem with malaria mosquitoes.
Almost the entire archipelago is defined as World Fund wildlife. Also, the Solomon Islands are located in the Coral Triangle area.
Solomon Islands Living and Dead
(To Lead means to Serve)"
This article is about the state. For the archipelago, see Solomon Islands (archipelago).
Solomon islands(eng. Solomon Islands) - a state in the southwestern part Pacific Ocean, in, occupying most of the archipelago of the same name, as well as some other island groups. It consists of 992 islands, the total area of which is 28,450 km² (land - 28,400 km²). The capital of the Solomon Islands is the city.
Geography
Solomon islands
The state occupies most of the archipelago of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, to the east of the island. Largest islands: Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal, Choiseul, New Georgia. It also occupies the island groups of Duff, Santa Cruz, Swallow and the islands of Bellona, Rennell, etc.
The islands are predominantly of volcanic origin; active volcanoes. The country's highest point is Popomanaseu Peak on Guadalcanal at 2,335 meters. Short high-water rivers.
The climate is subequatorial, very humid. Average monthly temperatures range from 26 to 28 °C. Precipitation ranges from 2300 to 7500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind predominates, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.
Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees, etc.); in the driest places - savannas; along the banks there are mangroves. Animal world: rats, bats, crocodiles, snakes, giant frogs; birds - wild pigeons, parrots, etc.
Seismology
The Solomon Islands are located in a seismically dangerous region where earthquakes occur frequently. In January 2010, an earthquake occurred, the magnitude of which was 7.2, the tremors provoked the appearance of a tsunami with a maximum wave height of 2.5 meters. In total, about a thousand people were left homeless. On April 23, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 was recorded. On February 6, 2013, an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 occurred.
History and etymology
Main article: Chronological table of the history of the Solomon Islands
The first settlers speaking Papuan languages began arriving in the Solomon Islands around 3000 BC. e. Speakers of Austronesian languages - approximately 4000 years ago. They brought with them cultural elements such as a canoe with an outrigger. Between approximately 1200 and 800 BC. e. The ancestors of the Polynesians (people of the Lapita culture) from the Bismarck Archipelago, who knew pottery production, arrived on the Islands.
The Solomon Islands were discovered in 1568 by the Spanish navigator A. Mendaña de Neira, who exchanged gold from local residents and named these Solomon Islands after the legendary biblical king Solomon, comparing them with "Golden Country of Solomon". Founded in 1595 by Mendaña by decree of King Philip II on the island of Santa Cruz, the Spanish colony did not last long and was soon abandoned due to conflicts with warlike natives.
For the next century and a half, the islands were not visited by Europeans. They were discovered a second time by the Englishman F. Carteret in 1767.
Since the mid-1840s, Catholic and Protestant missionaries have repeatedly tried to settle in the Solomon Islands, but for a long time they did not succeed: many of them were killed by the aborigines.
The development of the Solomon Islands by Europeans began only in the 1860s, when the first white traders began to establish themselves there. The natives tried to kill these traders, but they, unlike the missionaries, managed to organize their defense.
In 1893, Britain declared a protectorate over the Solomon Islands. Since 1907, English entrepreneurs began to create coconut palm plantations in the British Solomon Islands. Since the beginning of the 20th century, missionaries have again appeared on the islands, converting the aborigines to Christianity.
During World War II, part of the islands was occupied by the Japanese. From 1942 to 1945, bloody battles were fought on the islands between the Japanese and the countries of the Anti-Hitler Coalition (, Australia and), ending in the victory of the latter.
In July 1978, the Solomon Islands gained independence from. Peter Kenilorea became the first Prime Minister.
Since 1998, intertribal tensions have sharply increased in the Solomon Islands, leading to armed clashes. As a result, on June 5, 2000, a coup took place in the country, Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufaalu was arrested, then resigned, giving way to Manassa Sogavare.
In June 2003, Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza asked Australia to restore law and order in the country. The following month, military and police forces of Australia and several countries (, etc.) arrived in the Solomon Islands - "Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands"(RAMSI), a total of about 2,200 police and military personnel. They restored order and disarmed the tribal militants.
One of two UN member countries (2nd -) that do not have diplomatic relations with Russia (not established).
Main article: Administrative divisions of the Solomon Islands
The territory of the Solomon Islands is divided into 9 provinces; the capital, located on the island of Guadalcanal, is allocated to a special administrative unit - the Capital Territory.
Population
Population - 515,870 people. (2009 census).
Annual population growth is 2.3% (2009 census).
Birth rate - 26.9 per 1000 (fertility - 3.4 births per woman)
Mortality rate is 3.7 per 1000.
Average life expectancy is 71 years for men, 76 years for women.
Ethnic composition: Melanesians - 95.3% (491,466 people), Polynesians - 3.1% (15,911 people), Micronesians - 1.2% (6446 people), Chinese - 0.1% (654 people .), Europeans - 0.1% (721 people), others - 0.1% (672 people) (according to the 2009 census).
Data on the literacy level of the population of the Solomon Islands is not available.
Urban population - 19.7% (101,798 people) (2009 census).
Languages
Languages: English (official) - it is spoken by 1-2% of the population; one of the varieties of Melanesian pidgin is used as the language of universal communication - Solomon Islands pidgin (neo-Solomonik, Solomon pidgin), which is actually a Creole language. There are a total of 120 local languages in the country.
Religion
Religions: Church of Melanesia - 31.9% (164,639 people), Catholics - 19.6% (100,999 people), South Sea Evangelists - 17.1% (88,395 people), Seventh-day Adventists - 11, 7% (60,506 people), united church - 10.1% (51,919 people), Christian Fellowship Church - 2.5% (13,153 people), other Christians - 4.4%, others - 2, 7% (14,076 people). (according to the 2009 census).
Approximately 97% of the population of Solomon Islands professes the Christian faith. The largest Christian denominations: 31.9% of the population belong to the Church of Melanesia, 19.6% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 17.1% to the South Seas Evangelical Church, 11.7% to Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10.1% - United Church of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, 2.5% - Christian Fellowship Church. 2.9% of the population practices indigenous religious beliefs. There are approximately 350 Muslims (2007 data).
Policy
The political system of the Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of the Solomon Islands and head of state. Its power is exercised through the Governor-General, who is elected by Parliament for a term of five years.
The parliament is unicameral, consists of 50 representatives, and is elected every four years. According to the results of the last elections (August 2010), there are 19 independent deputies in parliament and representatives of 12 political parties(y largest party- 13 deputies, the rest - from 3 to 1 deputies). Parliament can be dissolved early by a majority vote of its members.
Any citizen over 21 years of age has the right to vote in elections. The head of government is the prime minister, he is elected by Parliament and appoints other ministers. The Cabinet of Ministers consists of 20 people. Each ministry is headed by a minister, who is assisted by a Permanent Secretary, who supervises the ministry's employees.
Solomon Islands' political parties are weak and parliamentary coalitions are extremely unstable. Votes of no confidence are often announced in the government, as a result of which the composition of the government often changes.
There are no military units as such in the Solomon Islands, although the police force, numbering about 500 people, includes a border security unit. The police function as firefighters, assist in emergency situations and carry out maritime patrols. The police are led by a commissioner appointed by the governor general. The Commissioner is under the control of the Prime Minister.
On April 23, 2006, the inauguration ceremony of the new government, headed by Snyder Reaney, took place. The new government is intended to step up the fight against corruption, which has been at the root of recent riots that saw several metropolitan areas, most notably Chinatown, burnt to the ground.
On the same day, the mass evacuation of ethnic Chinese from the country began, who previously numbered about 2 thousand. It was they who became the main object of discontent of the indigenous population. Snyder Reaney, who had previously served as Deputy Prime Minister, had close business contacts with the Chinese community and was largely dependent on it.
International relationships
See also: List of diplomatic missions of Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a member of the UN, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific Islands Forum, the International Monetary Fund and African Countries, Caribbean and Pacific Region (ACP).
Relations with, which became tense due to the influx of refugees from the island. Bougainville after the rebellion and attacks on northern islands states that persecuted the rebels were restored. A peace agreement on Bougainville was reached in 1998, and border issues were resolved between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in an agreement signed in 2004.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Solomon Islands
The basis of the country's economy is agriculture, fishing, and logging.
Three quarters of workers are employed in agriculture, as well as in the fishing and logging sectors. The industrial sector (fish processing, timber) employs 5%, and the service sector - 20%.
GDP per capita (in 2009) - 2.5 thousand dollars (177th place in the world).
Cocoa, coconuts, rice, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits are cultivated. Livestock is raised.
The country has large deposits of lead, zinc, nickel and gold, as well as bauxite and phosphates, but these are not mined.
International trade
Exports - $0.696 billion in 2017 - timber (68%), processed fish (7.5%), palm oil (4.1%), copra (2.7%), cocoa and coconut oil. Solomon Islands included among the ten largest exporters of unprocessed timber (approx. 3.3% of global volume)
The main buyers (in 2017) are China 66%, Italy 8.1%, Philippines 4.4%.
Imports - $0.589 billion in 2017 - food (including rice - up to 6.9%), industrial goods, fuel (mainly petroleum products - 15%), chemical products.
Main suppliers (in 2017) - Australia 17%, New Zealand 13%, Singapore 13%, China 13%, Malaysia 12%.
Culture
The Solomon Islands have largely retained their former cultural appearance.
The villages are dominated by houses of the traditional type: light, rectangular huts on pillars with wicker walls and a gable roof made of palm leaves. However, in large populated areas There are many buildings of European type.
In clothing, European elements have significantly supplanted the tradition, but some local residents continue to wear loincloths and short skirts.
In the spiritual culture of the islanders, tradition is also closely intertwined with modernity. Folklore, original songs and dances, and applied arts are relatively well preserved among the local population, but modern culture is also being introduced.
Sport
Football
The national football team made history by becoming the first team to defeat New Zealand and enter the qualifying playoffs for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, in the first match of the playoffs, they were defeated by Australia with a score of 7:0.
Mini football
On June 14, 2008, the Solomon Islands national futsal team won the Oceania Championship in and received the right to participate in the World Championship, which was held from September 30 to October 19, 2008 in. The Solomon Islands beach soccer team is considered the best team in Oceania and has taken part in the last three World Cups.
Rugby
The national rugby team is ranked in the IRB Top 100 teams but has never played at a Rugby World Cup.
see also
- Literature of the Solomon Islands
Notes
- World Atlas: Maximum detailed information/ Project leaders: A. N. Bushnev, A. P. Pritvorov. - Moscow: AST, 2017. - P. 93. - 96 p. - ISBN 978-5-17-10261-4.
- HON. RICK HOU IS NEW PRIME MINISTER (undefined) (inaccessible link - story) . National Parliament of Solomon Islands (16 November 2017). Retrieved November 16, 2017.
- Population census (Recensement national de 2009).
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Solomon Islands, 1970-2011
- Human Development Indicators(English) . United Nations Development Program (2018). - Human Development Report on the UN Development Program website. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
- http://chartsbin.com/view/edr
- Mount Popomanaseu, Solomon Islands(English) . peakbagger.com. Retrieved May 6, 2012. Archived June 23, 2012.
- Kirch, Patrick Vinton. On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands. - Berkley, California: University of California Press, 2002. - ISBN 0-520-23461-8.
- Census - Solomon Islands National Statistics Office(English) . www.statistics.gov.sb. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- Solomon Islands National Statistical Office. Ministry of Finance and Treasury. 2009 POPULATION & HOUSING CENSUS. NATIONAL REPORT (Volume 2)(English) (pdf). Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) P. 83 (2009). - Solomon Islands Population and Housing Census (2009). Retrieved October 25, 2017.
- Solomon Islands Census (2009). Pacific Regional Statistics | Secretariat of the Pacific Community(undefined) (inaccessible link - story) . www.spc.int. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- International Religious Freedom Report 2007 (undefined) (unavailable link). Retrieved July 14, 2009. Archived January 19, 2012.
- CIA - The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency - Solomon Islands(English) . www.cia.gov. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- Foreign trade of the Solomon Islands according to the directory https://oec.world/
- World timber market
Literature
- Oceania. Directory. - M.: Nauka, 1982.
- Rubtsov B. B. Oceania. - M.: Nauka, 1991.
Small Pacific island nation Solomon islands(Solomon Islands), often called Solomon Islands, is located in Melanesia, approximately 1,500 km northeast of Australia. Population - 523,000 people (2009).
The country occupies a significant part of the Solomon Islands archipelago, consisting of 992 islands (part of the islands of this archipelago belongs to Papua New Guinea), as well as some islands of other island groups, including Santa Cruz, located 400 kilometers east of archipelago.
From the south, the shores of the islands are washed by the Solomon and Coral Seas, from the north – by the Pacific Ocean. Bordered on the west by Papau - New Guinea, from the southeast - from Vanuatu.
That is, the state of the Solomon Islands should not be confused with the Solomon Islands archipelago, whose numerous islands are divided between two independent states - the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.
Distance between westernmost and most eastern island The state of Solomon Islands is about 1,500 kilometers.
The total area of the country is 28,400 km². Capital, main port and the largest populated area is the city (Guadalcanal Island).
A significant part of the Solomon Islands is covered with evergreen forests and is predominantly of volcanic origin, including active volcanoes. The highest point is Popomanaseu Peak (2335 meters), located on the island of Guadalcanal.
The country is located in a seismically dangerous region; strong earthquakes are not uncommon. During the period from 2011 to 2014, several powerful earthquakes occurred here.
Administrative division
Administratively, the Solomon Islands are divided into 9 separate provinces. And the capital city of Honiara, although located on the island of Guadalcanal, is considered a special tenth administrative unit, the so-called Capital Territory.
1. Central Province
2. Province of Choiseul
3.
4. Province of Isabel
5. Makira-Ulawa Province
6. Malaita Province
7. Province of Rennell and Bellona
8. Temotu Province
9. Province Western Province(Western)
Climate in the Solomon Islands
The climate in this island country is subequatorial and humid (all year round). The average air temperature is from +26 to +28 °C. Although there are no distinct seasons in the region, from November to April the northwest equatorial monsoon brings a little more rain than usual, and sometimes there are storms during this period.
The best time to visit is the summer months.
Population
The population of the Solomon Islands is 0.523 million people (2009). The average life expectancy for women is 76 years, for men - 71 years. Almost 94.5% of the population are Melanesians, 3% are Polynesians, and about 1.2% are Micronesians.
The official language in the Solomon Islands is English, however, only 1-2% of the population speaks it, and the English-based Creole language - Solomon Islands Pidgin - is used as the language of general communication.
Almost 97% of the country's inhabitants are Christians (Catholics, Anglicans, Evangelicals and other Christians).
The currency of this island state is the Solomon Islands Dollar (SBD). One SBD is equal to 100 cents.
It was put into circulation only in 1977, before that national currency was the Australian dollar. By the way, it is still accepted in many hotels and resorts.
Safety
The situation with it is better than that of its neighbors in Papua New Guinea, but still the crime rate in the Solomon Islands is high. Traveling after dark is dangerous, especially on weekdays. Tourists are one of the main targets of local robbers, so we advise you to always be on your guard and not carry large sums of money with you or display your jewelry.
It is also worth noting that there is high ethnic tension in the country between the inhabitants of the largest islands of Guadalcanal and Malaitans, as well as between the indigenous inhabitants of all the Solomon Islands and the Chinese, the latter of which are periodically “persecuted” here.
Malaria is the biggest health problem in the Solomon Islands. Travelers should take anti-malarial tablets before, during and after their stay here.
Saltwater crocodiles, also known as saltwater crocodiles, are a fairly common sight on many of the country's islands. By the way, according to statistics, this is one of the most dangerous and aggressive large reptiles for humans. Every year, dozens of cases of their attacks on people are recorded on the islands. They die from them more people than from a shark attack.
Last changes: 03/06/2014History of the Solomon Islands
According to archaeologists, the first settlers appeared on the Solomon Islands around 30,000 BC. uh, and they communicated in Papuan languages. By the 40th century BC. Aboriginal speakers of Austronesian languages reached here, and between the 12th and 8th centuries BC the ancestors of the Polynesians arrived here.
The first European to set foot on the Solomon Islands is considered to be the Spanish navigator A. Mendaña de Neira, who discovered them in 1568. He discovered gold among the local aborigines, who, by the way, practice cannibalism, and therefore decided to call these Solomon Islands, thereby implying “ Golden country Solomon."
Over the next two centuries, Europeans no longer came here, and only in 1767 the British appeared here, as if rediscovering them.
Since the 1840s, European missionaries began to frequent the Solomon Islands, trying to gain a foothold there, but they had no luck here; the aborigines exterminated a significant part of the foreigners. Two decades later, traders began to frequent the islands, and in 1893 Britain declared them a colony. At the beginning of the 20th century, British entrepreneurs were engaged in growing coconuts here, and newly arrived missionaries actively converted the aborigines to Christianity.
During World War II, the islands were occupied by the Japanese, and more than once became the site of bloody battles between the Japanese occupiers and the countries of the Anti-Hitler coalition, which ended in 1945 with the victory of the latter.
And finally, in 1978 they became a state independent from Great Britain.
In 1998, intertribal tensions sharply increased on the islands, resulting in a full-fledged Civil War with armed clashes. In 2003, to restore order, at the request of the country's Prime Minister, help arrived here from neighboring countries, including from Australia and New Zealand. They helped local police restore order and disarm tribal militants.
In 2006, after the election of the Prime Minister, which was won by Snyder Rini, new unrest began in the country. Their cause was corruption in the highest echelons of power. In particular, the prime minister was accused of receiving bribes from Chinese businessmen to buy votes from members of parliament. All this resulted in mass pogroms in the capital, Chinatown was destroyed, and China had to evacuate its citizens from the country by plane. In the end, with the help of additional military and police forces, life in the country stabilized, and a new prime minister was elected.
On April 2, 2007, the Solomon Islands experienced a strong magnitude 8 earthquake followed by a large tsunami - 10 meter waves destroyed about 900 houses and claimed the lives of fifty people.
The last shock with the same magnitude of 8.0 was recorded here on February 6, 2013. By the way, it provoked a tsunami with a wave height of up to 2 meters.
Last changes: 03/06/2014How to get there
There are no direct flights between Russia and the Solomon Islands. Usually Russian tourists, get here by plane through Australia, Fiji, Vanuatu or Papua New Guinea. This pleasure is not cheap, it is still very far away, it would seem Australia is far from Russia, and this country is even further ~ 1500 km...
The only one international Airport in the Solomon Islands is located in the same place as the capital of the country, Honiara - on the large island of Guadalcanal, and is called Honiara International Airport.
Flights here:
– Nadi (Fiji), Port Moresby (Papua New Guinea)
– Port Vila (Vanuatu)
– Nadi (Fiji), Port Vila (Vanuatu)
– Brisbane, Australia
– carries out international flights to Brisbane, Australia, as well as Nadi and Port Vila, plus many domestic flights to 25 regional airports in the Solomon Islands. This is the only airline in the country operating domestic flights.
You can also visit the Solomon Islands during a cruise on any cruise ship, they come here from time to time, although in this case the time spent here will be limited, and given that the islands are scattered over a vast territory, in this case you will definitely not get to know the country closely.
Last changes: 03/06/2014Score (2009)
Density
515,870 people (170s)
18.13 people/km²
Total (2011)
Per capita
$840 million
$1522
Geography
The state occupies most of the archipelago of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia, east of the island of New Guinea. Largest islands: Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal, Choiseul, New Georgia. Also occupies the island groups of Duff, St. Croix, Swallow and the islands of Bellona, Rennell, etc.
The islands are predominantly of volcanic origin; active volcanoes. The country's highest point is the 2,335-meter Popomanaseu Peak on Guadalcanal. Short high-water rivers.
The climate is subequatorial, very humid. Average monthly temperatures range from 26 to 28 °C. Precipitation ranges from 2300 to 7500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.
Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees, etc.); in the driest places - savannas; along the banks there are mangroves. Fauna: rats, bats, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, giant frogs; birds - wild pigeons, parrots, etc.
Seismology
The Solomon Islands are located in a seismic region where earthquakes occur frequently. In January 2010, an earthquake occurred, the magnitude of which was 7.2, the tremors provoked the appearance of a tsunami with a maximum wave height of 2.5 meters. In total, about a thousand people were left homeless. On April 23, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 was recorded. On February 6, 2013, an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 occurred.
Story
The first settlers speaking Papuan languages began arriving in the Solomon Islands around 3000 BC. e. Speakers of Austronesian languages - approximately 4000 years ago. They brought with them cultural elements such as the outrigger canoe. Between approximately 1200 and 800 BC. e. The ancestors of the Polynesians (people of the Lapita culture) from the Bismarck Archipelago, who knew pottery production, arrived on the Islands.
The Solomon Islands were discovered in 1568 by the Spanish navigator A. Mendaña de Neira, who exchanged gold from the local residents and named these islands Solomon, comparing them with "Golden Country of Solomon". Founded in 1595 by Mendaña by decree of King Philip II on the island of Santa Cruz, the Spanish colony did not last long and was soon abandoned due to conflicts with warlike natives.
For the next century and a half, the islands were not visited by Europeans. They were discovered a second time by the Englishman F. Carteret in 1767.
Since the mid-1840s, Catholic and Protestant missionaries have repeatedly tried to settle in the Solomon Islands, but for a long time they did not succeed: many of them were killed by the aborigines.
The development of the Solomon Islands by Europeans began only in the 1860s, when the first white traders began to establish themselves there. The natives tried to kill these traders, but they, unlike the missionaries, managed to organize their defense.
Data on the literacy level of the population of the Solomon Islands is not available.
Urban population - 19.7% (101,798 people) (2009 census).
Languages
Religion
Religions: Church of Melanesia - 31.9% (164,639 people), Catholics - 19.6% (100,999 people), South Sea Evangelists - 17.1% (88,395 people), Seventh-day Adventists - 11, 7% (60,506 people), united church - 10.1% (51,919 people), Christian Fellowship Church - 2.5% (13,153 people), other Christians - 4.4%, others - 2, 7% (14,076 people). (according to the 2009 census).
Approximately 97% of the population of Solomon Islands professes the Christian faith. The largest Christian denominations: 31.9% of the population belong to the Church of Melanesia, 19.6% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 17.1% to the South Seas Evangelical Church, 11.7% to Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10.1% - United Church of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, 2.5% - Christian Fellowship Church. 2.9% of the population practices indigenous religious beliefs. There are approximately 350 Muslims (2007 data).
Policy
The political system of the Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of the Solomon Islands and head of state. Its power is exercised through the Governor-General, who is elected by Parliament for a term of five years.
The parliament is unicameral, consists of 50 representatives, and is elected every four years. According to the results of the last elections (August 2010), there are 19 independent deputies and representatives of 12 political parties in parliament (the largest party has 13 deputies, the rest have from 3 to 1 deputies). Parliament can be dissolved early by a majority vote of its members.
Any citizen over 21 years of age has the right to vote in elections. The head of government is the Prime Minister, he is elected by Parliament and appoints other ministers. The Cabinet of Ministers consists of 20 people. Each ministry is headed by a minister, who is assisted by a Permanent Secretary, who supervises the ministry's employees.
Solomon Islands' political parties are weak and parliamentary coalitions are extremely unstable. Votes of no confidence are often announced in the government, as a result of which the composition of the government often changes.
There are no military units as such in the Solomon Islands, although the police force, numbering about 500 people, includes a border security unit. The police function as firefighters, assist in emergency situations and carry out maritime patrols. The police are led by a commissioner appointed by the governor general. The Commissioner is under the control of the Prime Minister.
Main buyers (in 2009) - China 54.1%, South Korea 6.2%, Philippines 6%, Spain 4.9%.
Imports - $0.26 billion in 2008 - food, industrial goods, fuel, chemical products.
The main suppliers (in 2009) are Singapore 24.7%, Australia 23.1%, New Zealand 5.2%, Fiji 4.5%, Papua New Guinea 4.3%, Malaysia 4%.
Culture
The Solomon Islands have largely retained their former cultural appearance.
The villages are dominated by houses of the traditional type: light, rectangular huts on pillars with wicker walls and a gable roof made of palm leaves. However, in large settlements there are many buildings of European type.
In clothing, European elements have significantly supplanted the tradition, but some local residents continue to wear loincloths and short skirts.
In the spiritual culture of the islanders, tradition is also closely intertwined with modernity. Folklore, original songs and dances, and applied arts are relatively well preserved among the local population, but modern culture is also being introduced.
Sport
see also
Write a review on the article "Solomon Islands"
Notes
Literature
- Oceania. Directory. - M.: Nauka, 1982.
- Rubtsov B. B. Oceania. - M.: Science, 1991.
Links
- - article from the Krugosvet encyclopedia
- // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
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Excerpt describing the Solomon Islands
Napoleon started the war with Russia because he could not help but come to Dresden, could not help but be overwhelmed by honors, could not help but put on a Polish uniform, could not succumb to the enterprising impression of a June morning, could not refrain from an outburst of anger in the presence of Kurakin and then Balashev.
Alexander refused all negotiations because he personally felt insulted. Barclay de Tolly tried to manage the army in the best possible way in order to fulfill his duty and earn the glory of a great commander. Rostov galloped to attack the French because he could not resist the desire to gallop across a flat field. And so exactly, due to their personal properties, habits, conditions and goals, all those innumerable persons who took part in this war acted. They were afraid, they were conceited, they rejoiced, they were indignant, they reasoned, believing that they knew what they were doing and that they were doing it for themselves, and all were involuntary instruments of history and carried out work hidden from them, but understandable to us. This is the unchangeable fate of all practical figures, and the higher they stand in the human hierarchy, the more free they are.
Now the figures of 1812 have long since left their places, their personal interests have disappeared without a trace, and only the historical results of that time are before us.
But let’s assume that the people of Europe, under the leadership of Napoleon, had to go deep into Russia and die there, and all the self-contradictory, senseless, cruel activities of the people participating in this war become clear to us.
Providence forced all these people, striving to achieve their personal goals, to contribute to the fulfillment of one huge result, about which not a single person (neither Napoleon, nor Alexander, nor even less any of the participants in the war) had the slightest aspiration.
Now it is clear to us what was the cause of the death of the French army in 1812. No one will argue that the reason for the death of Napoleon’s French troops was, on the one hand, their entry at a late time without preparation for a winter campaign deep into Russia, and on the other hand, the nature that the war took on from the burning of Russian cities and the incitement of hatred towards the enemy in the Russian people. But then not only did no one foresee that (which now seems obvious) that only in this way could the army of eight hundred thousand, the best in the world and led by the best commander, die in a clash with the Russian army, which was twice as weak, inexperienced and led by inexperienced commanders; not only did no one foresee this, but all efforts on the part of the Russians were constantly aimed at preventing the fact that only one could save Russia, and on the part of the French, despite the experience and so-called military genius of Napoleon, all efforts were directed towards this to stretch out to Moscow at the end of summer, that is, to do the very thing that should have destroyed them.
In historical works about 1812, French authors are very fond of talking about how Napoleon felt the danger of stretching his line, how he was looking for a battle, how his marshals advised him to stop in Smolensk, and give other similar arguments proving that it was already understood there was danger of the campaign; and Russian authors are even more fond of talking about how from the beginning of the campaign there was a plan for the Scythian war to lure Napoleon into the depths of Russia, and they attribute this plan to some Pfuel, some to some Frenchman, some to Tolya, some to Emperor Alexander himself, pointing to notes, projects and letters that actually contain hints of this course of action. But all these hints of foreknowledge of what happened, both on the part of the French and on the part of the Russians, are now exhibited only because the event justified them. If the event had not happened, then these hints would have been forgotten, just as thousands and millions of opposing hints and assumptions that were in use then, but turned out to be unfair and therefore forgotten, are now forgotten. There are always so many assumptions about the outcome of every event that takes place that, no matter how it ends, there will always be people who will say: “I said then that it would be like this,” completely forgetting that among the countless assumptions, completely opposite.
Assumptions about Napoleon's awareness of the danger of stretching the line and on the part of the Russians - about luring the enemy into the depths of Russia - obviously belong to this category, and historians can only attribute such considerations to Napoleon and his marshals and such plans to Russian military leaders only with great reserve. All the facts completely contradict such assumptions. Not only throughout the war was there no desire on the part of the Russians to lure the French into the depths of Russia, but everything was done to stop them from their first entry into Russia, and not only was Napoleon not afraid of stretching his line, but he rejoiced at how triumph, every step forward, and very lazily, unlike in his previous campaigns, he looked for battle.
At the very beginning of the campaign, our armies are cut up, and the only goal to which we strive is to unite them, although in order to retreat and lure the enemy into the interior of the country, there does not seem to be any advantage in uniting the armies. The emperor is with the army to inspire it to defend every step of the Russian land, and not to retreat. The huge Dries camp is being built according to Pfuel's plan and it is not intended to retreat further. The Emperor reproaches the commander-in-chief for every step of retreat. Not only the burning of Moscow, but the admission of the enemy to Smolensk cannot even be imagined by the emperor, and when the armies unite, the sovereign is indignant because Smolensk was taken and burned and was not given a general battle before the walls of it.
The sovereign thinks so, but the Russian military leaders and all Russian people are even more indignant at the thought that ours are retreating into the interior of the country.
Napoleon, having cut up the armies, moves inland and misses several occasions of battle. In August he is in Smolensk and thinks only about how he can move on, although, as we now see, this movement forward is obviously detrimental for him.
The facts clearly show that neither Napoleon foresaw the danger in moving towards Moscow, nor Alexander and the Russian military leaders then thought about luring Napoleon, but thought about the opposite. The luring of Napoleon into the interior of the country did not happen according to anyone’s plan (no one believed in the possibility of this), but occurred from the most complex game of intrigues, goals, desires of people - participants in the war, who did not guess what should be, and what was the only salvation of Russia. Everything happens by accident. The armies are cut up at the start of the campaign. We are trying to unite them with the obvious goal of giving battle and holding off the enemy’s advance, but even in this desire to unite, avoiding battles with the strongest enemy and involuntarily retreating at an acute angle, we lead the French to Smolensk. But it’s not enough to say that we are retreating at an acute angle because the French are moving between both armies - this angle is becoming even sharper, and we are moving even further because Barclay de Tolly, an unpopular German, is hated by Bagration (who will become under his command ), and Bagration, commanding the 2nd Army, tries not to join Barclay for as long as possible, so as not to become under his command. Bagration does not join for a long time (although this is the main goal of all commanders) because it seems to him that he is putting his army in danger on this march and that it is most profitable for him to retreat to the left and south, harassing the enemy from the flank and rear and recruiting his army in Ukraine. But it seems that he came up with this because he did not want to obey the hated and junior German Barclay.
The emperor is with the army to inspire it, and his presence and lack of knowledge of what to decide on, and a huge number of advisers and plans destroy the energy of the 1st army’s actions, and the army retreats.
It is planned to stop at the Dris camp; but unexpectedly Paulucci, aiming to become commander-in-chief, influences Alexander with his energy, and Pfuel’s entire plan is abandoned, and the whole matter is entrusted to Barclay. But since Barclay does not inspire confidence, his power is limited.
The armies are fragmented, there is no unity of leadership, Barclay is not popular; but from this confusion, fragmentation and unpopularity of the German commander-in-chief, on the one hand, follows indecision and avoidance of battle (which could not be resisted if the armies were together and Barclay was not the commander), on the other hand, more and more indignation against the Germans and excitement of the patriotic spirit.
Finally, the sovereign leaves the army, and as the only and most convenient pretext for his departure, the idea is chosen that he needs to inspire the people in the capitals to initiate a people's war. And this trip of the sovereign and Moscow triples the strength of the Russian army.
The sovereign leaves the army in order not to hamper the unity of power of the commander-in-chief, and hopes that more decisive measures will be taken; but the position of the army command is even more confused and weakened. Bennigsen, the Grand Duke and a swarm of adjutant generals remain with the army in order to monitor the actions of the commander-in-chief and arouse him to energy, and Barclay, feeling even less free under the eyes of all these sovereign eyes, becomes even more careful for decisive actions and avoids battles.
Barclay stands for caution. The Tsarevich hints at treason and demands a general battle. Lyubomirsky, Branitsky, Wlotsky and the like inflate all this noise so much that Barclay, under the pretext of delivering papers to the sovereign, sends the Poles as adjutant generals to St. Petersburg and enters into an open fight with Bennigsen and the Grand Duke.
In Smolensk, finally, no matter how Bagration wished it, the armies are united.
Bagration drives up in a carriage to the house occupied by Barclay. Barclay puts on a scarf, goes out to meet him and reports to the senior rank of Bagration. Bagration, in the struggle of generosity, despite the seniority of his rank, submits to Barclay; but, having submitted, she agrees with him even less. Bagration personally, by order of the sovereign, informs him. He writes to Arakcheev: “The will of my sovereign, I cannot do it together with the minister (Barclay). For God's sake, send me somewhere, even to command a regiment, but I can’t be here; and the entire main apartment is filled with Germans, so it’s impossible for a Russian to live, and there’s no point. I thought I was truly serving the sovereign and the fatherland, but in reality it turns out that I am serving Barclay. I admit, I don’t want to.” The swarm of Branitskys, Wintzingerodes and the like further poisons the relations of the commanders-in-chief, and even less unity emerges. They are planning to attack the French in front of Smolensk. A general is sent to inspect the position. This general, hating Barclay, goes to his friend, the corps commander, and, after sitting with him for a day, returns to Barclay and condemns on all counts the future battlefield, which he has not seen.
While there are disputes and intrigues about the future battlefield, while we are looking for the French, having made a mistake in their location, the French stumble upon Neverovsky’s division and approach the very walls of Smolensk.
We must take on an unexpected battle in Smolensk in order to save our messages. The battle is given. Thousands are being killed on both sides.
Smolensk is abandoned against the will of the sovereign and all the people. But Smolensk was burned by the residents themselves, deceived by their governor, and the ruined residents, setting an example for other Russians, go to Moscow, thinking only about their losses and inciting hatred of the enemy. Napoleon moves on, we retreat, and the very thing that was supposed to defeat Napoleon is achieved.
The day after his son’s departure, Prince Nikolai Andreich called Princess Marya to his place.
- Well, are you satisfied now? - he told her, - she quarreled with her son! Are you satisfied? That's all you needed! Are you satisfied?.. It hurts me, it hurts. I'm old and weak, and that's what you wanted. Well, rejoice, rejoice... - And after that, Princess Marya did not see her father for a week. He was sick and did not leave the office.
To her surprise, Princess Marya noticed that during this time of illness the old prince also did not allow m lle Bourienne to visit him. Only Tikhon followed him.
A week later, the prince left and began his old life again, being especially active in buildings and gardens and ending all previous relations with m lle Bourienne. His appearance and cold tone with Princess Marya seemed to say to her: “You see, you made it up about me, lied to Prince Andrei about my relationship with this Frenchwoman and quarreled me with him; and you see that I don’t need either you or the Frenchwoman.”
Princess Marya spent one half of the day with Nikolushka, watching his lessons, herself giving him lessons in the Russian language and music, and talking with Desalles; she spent the other part of the day in her quarters with books, the old woman’s nanny, and with God’s people, who sometimes came to her from the back porch.
Princess Marya thought about the war the way women think about war. She was afraid for her brother, who was there, horrified, without understanding her, by human cruelty, which forced them to kill each other; but she did not understand the significance of this war, which seemed to her the same as all previous wars. She did not understand the significance of this war, despite the fact that Desalles, her constant interlocutor, who was passionately interested in the progress of the war, tried to explain his thoughts to her, and despite the fact that the people of God who came to her all spoke with horror in their own way about popular rumors about the invasion of the Antichrist, and despite the fact that Julie, now Princess Drubetskaya, who again entered into correspondence with her, wrote patriotic letters to her from Moscow.
“I am writing to you in Russian, my good friend,” wrote Julie, “because I have hatred for all the French, as well as for their language, which I cannot hear spoken... We in Moscow are all delighted through enthusiasm for our beloved emperor.
My poor husband endures labor and hunger in Jewish taverns; but the news I have makes me even more excited.
You probably heard about the heroic feat of Raevsky, who hugged his two sons and said: “I will die with them, but we will not waver!” And indeed, although the enemy was twice as strong as us, we did not waver. We spend our time as best we can; but in war, as in war. Princess Alina and Sophie sit with me all day long, and we, unfortunate widows of living husbands, have wonderful conversations over lint; only you, my friend, are missing... etc.
Mostly Princess Marya did not understand the full significance of this war because the old prince never talked about it, did not acknowledge it and laughed at Desalles at dinner when he talked about this war. The prince's tone was so calm and confident that Princess Marya, without reasoning, believed him.
Throughout the month of July, the old prince was extremely active and even animated. He also laid out a new garden and a new building, a building for the courtyard workers. One thing that bothered Princess Marya was that he slept little and, having changed his habit of sleeping in the study, changed the place of his overnight stays every day. Either he ordered his camp bed to be set up in the gallery, then he remained on the sofa or in the Voltaire chair in the living room and dozed without undressing, while not m lle Bourienne, but the boy Petrusha read to him; then he spent the night in the dining room.
On August 1, a second letter was received from Prince Andrei. In the first letter, received shortly after his departure, Prince Andrei humbly asked his father for forgiveness for what he had allowed himself to say to him, and asked him to return his favor to him. The old prince responded to this letter with an affectionate letter and after this letter he alienated the Frenchwoman from himself. The second letter from Prince Andrei, written from near Vitebsk, after the French occupied it, consisted of brief description the entire campaign with the plan outlined in the letter, and with considerations for the further course of the campaign. In this letter, Prince Andrei presented his father with the inconvenience of his position close to the theater of war, on the very line of movement of the troops, and advised him to go to Moscow.
At dinner that day, in response to the words of Desalles, who said that, as heard, the French had already entered Vitebsk, the old prince remembered Prince Andrei’s letter.
“I received it from Prince Andrei today,” he said to Princess Marya, “didn’t you read it?”
SOLOMON ISLANDS
General information
Geographical position. Solomon Islands is a country located on 30 islands and many atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, east of New Guinea. The state includes almost the entire group of Solomon Islands, with the exception of the islands of Bougainville and Buka. The largest of them are Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal and Vella Lavella, as well as the Santa Cruz Islands.
Square. The territory of the Solomon Islands covers 27,556 square meters. km.
Main cities Administrative division. The capital of the Solomon Islands is Honiara (39 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 7 provinces.
Solomon Islands is part of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is the National Parliament.
Relief. The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. Active volcanoes: Balbi, Bagana. Highest point country - Mount Popomanzo (2,331 m) is located on the island of Guadalcanal.
Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of gold, lead, zinc, nickel, and phosphorites
Climate. The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial and very humid. Average monthly temperatures range from +26°C to +28°C. Precipitation ranges from 2,500 to 7,500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.
Soils and vegetation. Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees), savannas are located in the driest places, and mangroves predominate along the shores.
Animal world. The fauna of the Solomon Islands is represented by rats, mice, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and giant frogs.
Population and language
The population of the Solomon Islands is about 441 thousand people, the average population density is about 16 people per 1 sq. km. Ethnic groups: Melanesians - 93%, Polynesians - 4%, Micronesians - 1.5%, Europeans - 0.8%, Chinese - 0.3%. Languages: English (state), pidgin (local dialect based on in English), about 80 local dialects.
Religion
Anglicans - 34%, Evangelicals - 24%, Catholics - 19%, Pagans.
Brief historical sketch
The first European to visit the islands and give them a name was the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568. The northern part of the archipelago was discovered in 1768 by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. In 1885, the islands came under German control, but in 1893, almost the entire archipelago, with the exception of Bougainville and Boukas, was transferred to Great Britain. After the First World War, Australia received the mandate to govern the islands of Bougainville and Buka, while the southern part remained a British protectorate. The Solomon Islands gained independence on July 7, 1978.
Brief Economic Sketch
The basis of the economy is agriculture. The main crop is the coconut palm; They also cultivate cocoa, bananas, spices, and rice. Fishing. Forestry. Export of fish, timber, copra, cocoa beans, palm oil.
The currency is the Solomon Islands dollar.
