Forming a scattered archipelago of mountainous islands and low-lying coral atolls, the Solomon Islands stretch about 1148 kilometres in the south-easterly direction from the Short lands Islands to the Santa Cruz Islands. There are six major islands, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Malaita, Makira, New Georgia and Santa Isabel and approximately 992 small islands, atolls and reefs.
Communal, familial and clan ties remain very strong in Solomon Islands. The Solomon Islands achieved internal self-government in 1976, and became independent in July 1978. Fisheries and timber are the main sources of foreign exchange. The country also exports copra and palm oil.
Tourism has great potential here, but will need massive government input in the development supporting structure.
There has been sort of a civil war between the Isatabus on Guadalcanal, the largest island, and migrant Malaitans from the neighbouring island. English is the official language. The currency used is the Solomon Islands dollar.
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