Commonwealth realm of the Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands
Commonwealth realm


Motto To Lead is to Serve
Anthem God Save Our Solomon Islands


Capital	Honiara

Government	Constitutional monarchy and parliamentary
Monarch
- From 1978	Elizabeth II
Governor General
- 1978-2009	Frank Kabui
Prime Minister
- From 2010	Danny Philip

Legislature	National Parliament

History
- July 7, 1978	Independence

Commonwealth accession	July 7, 1978

Area	28,400 km²

Population
- 2009	523,000
Density	18.4/km²

GDP	2009 (PPP)
- Total	US$ 1.4 billion
- Per capita	US$ 2,818

Currency	Solomon Islands dollar

British Solomon Islands Protectorate
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The Solomon Islands is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy in Melanesia. It is also one of the Commonwealth realms.

Background

The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the most bitter 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, then Prime Minister Sir Allan 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 generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.^[1]

Economy

The bulk of the population depends on agriculture, fishing, and forestry for at least part of its livelihood. Most manufactured goods and petroleum products must be imported. The islands are rich in undeveloped mineral resources such as lead, zinc, nickel, and gold. Prior to the arrival of RAMSI, severe ethnic violence, the closing of key businesses, and an empty government treasury culminated in economic collapse. RAMSI's efforts to restore law and order and economic stability have led to modest growth as the economy rebuilds.^[2]