Page 155 - Pacifia Paradises - 2020

BOUGAINVILLE
STRAIT Kumbakale
Papara
Sasamungga

WESTERN PROVINCE SANTA ISABEL SOUTH PACIFIC OCEAN

Noho Buala
Gizo

Vangunu CENTRAL PROVINCE Auki
MALAITA
New Georgia Islands
Yandina
SOLOMON SEA GUADALCANAL PROVINCE
Honiara
GUADALCANAL

MAKIRA
Kira Kira
Santa Ana

Virtually untouched by commercial development, the The people
Solomon Islands are a natural paradise located south- The islanders are smiling, warm, friendly people, mostly Melanesian
east of Papua New Guinea and only three hours by air (90 percent), with some Polynesian, Gilbertese, European and Asian.
from Brisbane, Australia. English is the official language, though there are more than 120
indigenous languages.
The people of the Solomons still practise a traditional way of life,
preferring to respect the old customs and traditions. They believe in History
maintaining and preserving their beautiful unspoiled environment. It is believed that the Austronesians discovered the Solomon Islands
about five thousand years ago and Melanesian hunter and gatherer
Capital and places to visit The Solomon Islands are geographically voyagers first settled in the larger islands. Polynesians known as the
fragmented with six main islands and hundreds of smaller islands, seafarers later arrived and settled in the smaller islands and atolls
including man-made atolls. The main islands are Choiseul, that border Solomon Islands’ northern and eastern boundaries.
Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, San Cristobal, Malaita and New Georgia
and the capital is Honiara. The Spanish were the first Europeans to visit the islands, Alvaro de
Mendana naming them the Solomons. Some of the fiercest fighting
The Western Province is perhaps the most visited region of the of WWII took place in and around Honiara and names such as Bloody
Solomons and its centrepiece is the largest, double barrier lagoon Ridge, Red Beach, Skyline Ridge and Henderson Field will live long in
in the world, Marovo Lagoon, that has been nominated for World the memories of both sides of the conflict. Here in 1942, the bloodiest
Heritage listing. Literally thousands of islands scatter the lagoon, and longest campaign saw the loss of nearly 38,000 lives and the
from tiny coral islets on the fringing reef to massive 1600-metre turning point of the war in the Pacific. There are many battle sites and
volcanic islands. Some are still active and can be visited such as relics of the war to be found not only here, but throughout the islands.
Simbo as well as the undersea volcanoes near Ngattokae. Inside the
lagoon, the islands are surrounded by spectacular coral formations The Solomon Islands became a fully independent nation in 1978 and
and white sand beach. today the country operates under a provincial government system
of nine provinces. The national parliament adopted a Westminster
All the facilities needed by modern visitors are available in the quiet, system and has a democracy-style government.
peaceful town of Gizo, the capital. There are banks, luxury hotels,
guesthouses and backpacker accommodation, bars and restaurants. Nature
The Solomon Islands’ archipelago offers one of the richest
The province offers traditional villages, secluded beaches, superb underwater worlds on the earth and boasts kilometres of deserted
snorkelling and scuba diving where you can explore the watery graves sandy beaches and an unparalleled sense of calm. Lush tropical
of undisturbed WWII relics. rainforests cover most of the island group. Exotic orchids, ferns and

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