VSLB, Virtual SLB: Virtual Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands is a nation in Melanesia, east of Papua New Guinea,
consisting of nearly one thousand islands. Together they cover a land mass of
28,400 square kilometres (10,965 sq mi). The capital is Honiara, located on the
island of Guadalcanal.
The Solomon Islands are believed to have been inhabited by Melanesian people for
thousands of years. The United Kingdom established a protectorate over the
Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter fighting of World War II
occurred in the Solomon Islands campaign of 1942-45, including the Battle of
Guadalcanal. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years
later. The country remains a Commonwealth Realm.
Since 1998 ethnic violence, government misconduct and crime have undermined
stability and civil society. In June 2003 an Australian-led multinational force,
the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI), arrived to
restore peace and disarm ethnic militias.
The North Solomon Islands are divided between the independent Solomon Islands
and Bougainville Province in Papua New Guinea.
