Solomon Islands
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Flag of the Solomon Islands
Divided diagonally by a thin yellow stripe from the lower hoist-side
corner; the upper triangle (hoist side) is blue with five white
five-pointed stars arranged in an X pattern; the lower triangle is green.
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The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s.
Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago.
Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later.
Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have
undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, Prime Minister
Sir Allen KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing
law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational
force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias.
The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI)
has been very effective in
restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.
- CIA World Factbook.
Solomon Islands - Fotw
Description of flag,
Civil Ensign,
State Ensign,
War Ensign,
Governor-General's Flag,
Unidentified Green Ensign,
Historical Flags,
Provincial Flags,
Coat of Arms.
www.fotw.us/flags/sb.html
Solomon Islands - wikipedia.org
The Solomon Islands is a nation in Melanesia, east of
Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solomon_Islands
Solomon Islands - U.S. Department of State
People
The Solomon Islanders comprise diverse cultures, languages, and customs. Ninety-three percent are Melanesian, 4% Polynesian, and 1.5% Micronesian. In addition, small numbers of Europeans and Chinese are registered. About 120 vernacular languages are spoken.
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 traditionally was forested, but this has come under severe pressure from current logging operations. 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.
www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2799.htm
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Flag of the Solomon Islands