| Solomon islands | |||
| English Solomon Islands | |||
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| Motto: "To Lead is to Serve" (To Lead means to Serve)" |
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| Hymn: "God Save Solomon Islands" | |||
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| Independence date | July 7, 1978 (from) | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| official languages | English | ||
| Capital | |||
| The largest city | |||
| Form of government | a constitutional monarchy | ||
| Queen | Elizabeth II | ||
| Governor General | Frank Kabui | ||
| Prime Minister | Rick Houenipwela | ||
| Territory | 142nd in the world | ||
| Total | 28,450 km² | ||
| % water surface | 3,2 | ||
| Population | |||
| Score (2009) | 515,870 people (170s) | ||
| Density | 18.13 people/km² | ||
| GDP | |||
| Total (2011) | $840 million | ||
| Per capita | $1522 | ||
| HDI (2013) | ▲ 0.530 (low; 143rd place) | ||
| Currency | Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) | ||
| Internet domain | .sb | ||
| ISO code | S.B. | ||
| IOC code | SOL | ||
| Telephone code | +677 | ||
| Time Zones | +11 | ||
This article is about the state. For the archipelago, see Solomon Islands (archipelago).
Solomon islands(eng. Solomon Islands) - a state in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, occupying most of the archipelago of the same name, as well as some other island groups. It consists of 992 islands, the total area of which is 28,450 km² (land - 28,400 km²). The capital of the Solomon Islands is the city.
Geography
Solomon islands
The state occupies most of the archipelago of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, to the east of the island. Largest islands: Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal, Choiseul, New Georgia. It also occupies the island groups of Duff, Santa Cruz, Swallow and the islands of Bellona, Rennell, etc.
The islands are predominantly of volcanic origin; active volcanoes. The country's highest point is Popomanaseu Peak on Guadalcanal at 2,335 meters. Short high-water rivers.
The climate is subequatorial, very humid. Average monthly temperatures range from 26 to 28 °C. Precipitation ranges from 2300 to 7500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind predominates, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.
Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees, etc.); in the driest places - savannas; along the banks there are mangroves. Fauna: rats, bats, crocodiles, snakes, giant frogs; birds - wild pigeons, parrots, etc.
Seismology
The Solomon Islands are located in a seismically dangerous region where earthquakes occur frequently. In January 2010, an earthquake occurred, the magnitude of which was 7.2, the tremors triggered the appearance of a tsunami with a maximum wave height of 2.5 meters. In total, about a thousand people were left homeless. On April 23, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 was recorded. On February 6, 2013, an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 occurred.
History and etymology
The first settlers speaking Papuan languages began arriving in the Solomon Islands around 3000 BC. e. Speakers of Austronesian languages - approximately 4000 years ago. They brought with them cultural elements such as a canoe with an outrigger. Between approximately 1200 and 800 BC. e. The ancestors of the Polynesians (people of the Lapita culture) from the Bismarck Archipelago, who knew pottery production, arrived on the Islands.
The Solomon Islands were discovered in 1568 by the Spanish navigator A. Mendaña de Neira, who exchanged gold from local residents and named these Solomon Islands after the legendary biblical king Solomon, comparing them with "Golden Country of Solomon". Founded in 1595 by Mendaña by decree of King Philip II on the island of Santa Cruz, the Spanish colony did not last long and was soon abandoned due to conflicts with warlike natives.
For the next century and a half, the islands were not visited by Europeans. They were discovered a second time by the Englishman F. Carteret in 1767.
Since the mid-1840s, Catholic and Protestant missionaries have repeatedly tried to settle in the Solomon Islands, but for a long time they did not succeed: many of them were killed by the aborigines.
The development of the Solomon Islands by Europeans began only in the 1860s, when the first white traders began to establish themselves there. The natives tried to kill these traders, but they, unlike the missionaries, managed to organize their defense.
In 1893, Britain declared a protectorate over the Solomon Islands. Since 1907, English entrepreneurs began to create coconut palm plantations in the British Solomon Islands. Since the beginning of the 20th century, missionaries have again appeared on the islands, converting the aborigines to Christianity.
During World War II, part of the islands was occupied by the Japanese. From 1942 to 1945, bloody battles were fought on the islands between the Japanese and the countries of the Anti-Hitler Coalition (, Australia and), ending in the victory of the latter.
In July 1978, the Solomon Islands gained independence from. Peter Kenilorea became the first Prime Minister.
Since 1998, intertribal tensions have sharply increased in the Solomon Islands, leading to armed clashes. As a result, on June 5, 2000, a coup took place in the country, Prime Minister Bartholomew Ulufaalu was arrested, then resigned, giving way to Manassa Sogavare.
In June 2003, Prime Minister Allan Kemakeza asked Australia to restore law and order in the country. The following month, military and police forces of Australia and several countries (, etc.) arrived in the Solomon Islands - "Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands"(RAMSI), a total of about 2,200 police and military personnel. They restored order and disarmed the tribal militants.
One of two UN member countries (2nd -) that do not have diplomatic relations with Russia (not established).
Administrative divisions of the Solomon Islands
The territory of the Solomon Islands is divided into 9 provinces; the capital, located on the island of Guadalcanal, is allocated to a special administrative unit - the Capital Territory.
Population
Population - 515,870 people. (2009 census).
Annual population growth is 2.3% (2009 census).
Birth rate - 26.9 per 1000 (fertility - 3.4 births per woman)
Mortality rate is 3.7 per 1000.
Average life expectancy is 71 years for men, 76 years for women.
Ethnic composition: Melanesians - 95.3% (491,466 people), Polynesians - 3.1% (15,911 people), Micronesians - 1.2% (6446 people), Chinese - 0.1% (654 people .), Europeans - 0.1% (721 people), others - 0.1% (672 people) (according to the 2009 census).
Data on the literacy level of the population of the Solomon Islands is not available.
Urban population - 19.7% (101,798 people) (2009 census).
Languages
Languages: English (official) - it is spoken by 1-2% of the population; one of the varieties of Melanesian pidgin is used as the language of universal communication - Solomon Islands pidgin (neo-Solomonik, Solomon pidgin), which is actually a Creole language. There are a total of 120 local languages in the country.
Religion
Religions: Church of Melanesia - 31.9% (164,639 people), Catholics - 19.6% (100,999 people), South Sea Evangelists - 17.1% (88,395 people), Seventh-day Adventists - 11, 7% (60,506 people), united church - 10.1% (51,919 people), Christian Fellowship Church - 2.5% (13,153 people), other Christians - 4.4%, others - 2, 7% (14,076 people). (according to the 2009 census).
Approximately 97% of the population of Solomon Islands professes the Christian faith. The largest Christian denominations: 31.9% of the population belong to the Church of Melanesia, 19.6% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 17.1% to the South Seas Evangelical Church, 11.7% to Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10.1% - United Church of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, 2.5% - Christian Fellowship Church. 2.9% of the population practices indigenous religious beliefs. There are approximately 350 Muslims (2007 data).
Policy
The political system of the Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of the Solomon Islands and head of state. Its power is exercised through the Governor-General, who is elected by Parliament for a term of five years.
The parliament is unicameral, consists of 50 representatives, and is elected every four years. According to the results of the last elections (August 2010), there are 19 independent deputies and representatives of 12 political parties in parliament (the largest party has 13 deputies, the rest have from 3 to 1 deputies). Parliament can be dissolved early by a majority vote of its members.
Any citizen over 21 years of age has the right to vote in elections. The head of government is the prime minister, he is elected by Parliament and appoints other ministers. The Cabinet of Ministers consists of 20 people. Each ministry is headed by a minister, who is assisted by a Permanent Secretary, who supervises the ministry's employees.
Solomon Islands' political parties are weak and parliamentary coalitions are extremely unstable. Votes of no confidence are often announced in the government, as a result of which the composition of the government often changes.
There are no military units as such in the Solomon Islands, although the police force, numbering about 500 people, includes a border security unit. The police function as firefighters, assist in emergency situations and carry out maritime patrols. The police are led by a commissioner appointed by the governor general. The Commissioner is under the control of the Prime Minister.
On April 23, 2006, the inauguration ceremony of the new government, headed by Snyder Reaney, took place. The new government is intended to step up the fight against corruption, which has been at the root of recent riots that saw several metropolitan areas, most notably Chinatown, burnt to the ground.
On the same day, the mass evacuation of ethnic Chinese from the country began, who previously numbered about 2 thousand. It was they who became the main object of discontent of the indigenous population. Snyder Reaney, who had previously served as Deputy Prime Minister, had close business contacts with the Chinese community and was largely dependent on it.
International relationships
Solomon Islands is a member of the UN, the Commonwealth of Nations, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, the Pacific Islands Forum, the International Monetary Fund and the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP).
Relations with, which became tense due to the influx of refugees from the island. Bougainville, after the rebellion and attacks on the northern islands of the state by the pursuing rebels, were restored. A peace agreement on Bougainville was reached in 1998, and border issues were resolved between Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands in an agreement signed in 2004.
Economy
The basis of the country's economy is agriculture, fishing, and logging.
Three-quarters of the workforce is employed in agriculture, as well as fishing and logging. The industrial sector (fish processing, timber) employs 5%, and the service sector - 20%.
GDP per capita (in 2009) - 2.5 thousand dollars (177th place in the world).
Cocoa, coconuts, rice, potatoes, vegetables, and fruits are cultivated. Livestock is raised.
The country has large deposits of lead, zinc, nickel and gold, as well as bauxite and phosphates, but these are not mined.
International trade
Exports - $0.24 billion in 2008 - timber, fish, copra, palm oil, cocoa.
The main buyers (in 2009) are China 54.1%, South Korea 6.2%, Philippines 6%, Spain 4.9%.
Imports - $0.26 billion in 2008 - food, industrial goods, fuel, chemical products.
The main suppliers (in 2009) are Singapore 24.7%, Australia 23.1%, New Zealand 5.2%, Fiji 4.5%, Papua New Guinea 4.3%, Malaysia 4%.
Culture
The Solomon Islands have largely retained their former cultural appearance.
The villages are dominated by houses of the traditional type: light, rectangular huts on pillars with wicker walls and a gable roof made of palm leaves. However, in large settlements there are many buildings of European type.
In clothing, European elements have significantly supplanted the tradition, but some local residents continue to wear loincloths and short skirts.
In the spiritual culture of the islanders, tradition is also closely intertwined with modernity. Folklore, original songs and dances, and applied arts are relatively well preserved among the local population, but modern culture is also being introduced.
Sport
Football
The national football team made history by becoming the first team to defeat New Zealand and enter the qualifying playoffs for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. However, in the first match of the playoffs, they were defeated by Australia with a score of 7:0.
Mini football
On June 14, 2008, the Solomon Islands national futsal team won the Oceania Championship in and received the right to participate in the World Championship, which was held from September 30 to October 19, 2008 in. The Solomon Islands beach soccer team is considered the best team in Oceania and has taken part in the last three World Cups.
Rugby
The national rugby team is ranked in the IRB Top 100 teams but has never played at a Rugby World Cup.
see also
- Literature of the Solomon Islands
Notes
- World Atlas: Maximum detailed information / Project leaders: A. N. Bushnev, A. P. Pritvorov. - Moscow: AST, 2017. - P. 93. - 96 p. - ISBN 978-5-17-10261-4.
- HON. RICK HOU IS NEW PRIME MINISTER. National Parliament of Solomon Islands (16 November 2017). Retrieved November 16, 2017.
- Population census (Recensement national de 2009).
- Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the Solomon Islands, 1970-2011
- Human Development Report 2013. UN (2013). Retrieved March 14, 2013. Archived May 10, 2013.
- Mount Popomanaseu, Solomon Islands. peakbagger.com. Retrieved May 6, 2012. Archived June 23, 2012.
- Kirch, Patrick Vinton. On the Road of the Winds: An Archaeological History of the Pacific Islands. - Berkley, California: University of California Press, 2002. - ISBN 0-520-23461-8.
- Census - Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (en-gb). www.statistics.gov.sb. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- Solomon Islands National Statistical Office. Ministry of Finance and Treasury. 2009 POPULATION & HOUSING CENSUS. NATIONAL REPORT (Volume 2) (English) (pdf). Solomon Islands National Statistics Office (SINSO) P. 83 (2009). - Solomon Islands Population and Housing Census (2009). Retrieved October 25, 2017.
- Solomon Islands Census (2009). Pacific Regional Statistics | Secretariat of the Pacific Community (en-gb). www.spc.int. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
- International Religious Freedom Report 2007
- CIA - The World Factbook - Central Intelligence Agency - Solomon Islands (English). www.cia.gov. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
Literature
- Oceania. Directory. - M.: Nauka, 1982.
- Rubtsov B. B. Oceania. - M.: Nauka, 1991.
Links
- Solomon islands- article from the Krugosvet encyclopedia
- Solomon islands// Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
SOLOMON ISLANDS
General information
Geographical position. Solomon Islands is a country located on 30 islands and many atolls in the South Pacific Ocean, east of New Guinea. The state includes almost the entire group of Solomon Islands, with the exception of the islands of Bougainville and Buka. The largest of them are Guadalcanal, New Georgia, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal and Vella Lavella, as well as the Santa Cruz Islands.
Square. The territory of the Solomon Islands covers 27,556 square meters. km.
Main cities, administrative divisions. The capital of the Solomon Islands is Honiara (39 thousand people). Administrative division of the country: 7 provinces.
Political system
Solomon Islands is part of the Commonwealth. The head of state is the Queen of Great Britain, represented by the Governor General. The head of government is the prime minister. The legislative body is the National Parliament.
Relief. The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. Active volcanoes: Balbi, Bagana. The country's highest point, Mount Popomanso (2,331 m), is located on the island of Guadalcanal.
Geological structure and minerals. The country's subsoil contains reserves of gold, lead, zinc, nickel, and phosphorites
Climate. The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial and very humid. Average monthly temperatures range from +26°C to +28°C. Precipitation ranges from 2,500 to 7,500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.
Soils and vegetation. Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees), savannas are located in the driest places, and mangroves predominate along the shores.
Animal world. The fauna of the Solomon Islands is represented by rats, mice, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and giant frogs.
Population and language
The population of the Solomon Islands is about 441 thousand people, the average population density is about 16 people per 1 sq. km. Ethnic groups: Melanesians - 93%, Polynesians - 4%, Micronesians - 1.5%, Europeans - 0.8%, Chinese - 0.3%. Languages: English (state), pidgin (local dialect based on English), about 80 local dialects.
Religion
Anglicans - 34%, Evangelicals - 24%, Catholics - 19%, Pagans.
Brief historical sketch
The first European to visit the islands and give them a name was the Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendaña de Neira in 1568. The northern part of the archipelago was discovered in 1768 by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. In 1885, the islands came under German control, but in 1893, almost the entire archipelago, with the exception of Bougainville and Boukas, was transferred to Great Britain. After the First World War, Australia received the mandate to govern the islands of Bougainville and Buka, while the southern part remained a British protectorate. The Solomon Islands gained independence on July 7, 1978.
Brief Economic Sketch
The basis of the economy is agriculture. The main crop is the coconut palm; They also cultivate cocoa, bananas, spices, and rice. Fishing. Forestry. Export of fish, timber, copra, cocoa beans, palm oil.
The currency is the Solomon Islands dollar.
The climate on the islands is predominantly humid, with an average annual temperature of 26-27 degrees Celsius. The Solomon Islands have many active volcanoes, which have long been the end point of many tourist routes.
In the 18th and even 19th centuries, the indigenous people of the Solomon Islands became famous for the murders of European missionaries and early colonists. True, the modern state of the Republic of Solomon Islands no longer poses a threat to Europeans and tourists from other countries. Here, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean, travelers come for the exotic, excellent diving conditions and natural attractions.
The largest and at the same time the “capital” island of the state is Guadacanal, where the country’s capital, the city of Honiara, is located. There are also several large volcanoes on this island: Popomanaso, Mount Gallego, Makarakomburu, Kaichui, Tatuve. Moreover, all these volcanoes are quite high, over 2 thousand meters above sea level. Despite the mountainous terrain and the presence of active volcanoes, more than 1/3 of the total population of the Solomon Islands lives on this island. The capital of the state is a fairly small town with a population of just over 50 thousand people. According to seasoned tourists, there is almost nothing to see in Honiara except for the noisy and colorful bazaars. However, there is an excellent beach very close to the capital, and avid fishermen can have an interesting time casting their fishing rods directly from the shore. The island's unique waterfalls will delight all wildlife lovers.
In the central part of the Solomon Islands there are places of remarkable beauty: the islands of Anuha, Savo and Florida. The shores of Anukha Island are an almost continuous strip of beach covered with white coral chips. The same can be seen on the island of Florida, and you can also visit the headquarters of the former colonial British administration. For experienced divers, Savo Island is of undoubted interest. There is practically no tourist infrastructure on it (in the meaning of this expression familiar to Europeans), but diving around World War II warship wrecks can be a real adventure.
The eastern region of the country is of great interest to avid travelers who love the exotic. Firstly, some islands in the eastern part of the state are artificial. They were created by local residents by filling the coastal waters with crushed coral. Over 10 thousand Solomon Islanders live on such artificial islands. Secondly, it is in this part of the country that the cult of shark worship is widespread. According to ancient Melanesian beliefs, the souls of ancestors inhabit the bodies of sharks.
The western part of the Solomon Islands is the most developed part of the country in terms of tourism and recreation infrastructure. Some of the picturesque coral beaches of the western islands are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On the islands of Vangunu, New Georgia and Gizo, several modern hotels have been built that are quite decent in terms of service.
Lovers of exotic things should definitely visit the Solomon Islands, get acquainted with the life and way of life of the islanders, who were once the irreconcilable enemies of the first white settlers.
Score (2009)
Density
515,870 people (170s)
18.13 people/km²
Total (2011)
Per capita
$840 million
$1522
Geography
The state occupies most of the archipelago of the same name in the Pacific Ocean, in Melanesia, east of the island of New Guinea. Largest islands: Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San Cristobal, Choiseul, New Georgia. Also occupies the island groups of Duff, St. Croix, Swallow and the islands of Bellona, Rennell, etc.
The islands are predominantly of volcanic origin; active volcanoes. The country's highest point is the 2,335-meter Popomanaseu Peak on Guadalcanal. Short high-water rivers.
The climate is subequatorial, very humid. Average monthly temperatures range from 26 to 28 °C. Precipitation ranges from 2300 to 7500 mm per year. From May to October the southeast trade wind prevails, from December to March the northwest equatorial monsoon prevails.
Most of the islands are covered with evergreen forests (palm trees, ficus trees, etc.); in the driest places - savannas; along the banks there are mangroves. Fauna: rats, bats, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, giant frogs; birds - wild pigeons, parrots, etc.
Seismology
The Solomon Islands are located in a seismic region where earthquakes occur frequently. In January 2010, an earthquake occurred, the magnitude of which was 7.2, the tremors triggered the appearance of a tsunami with a maximum wave height of 2.5 meters. In total, about a thousand people were left homeless. On April 23, 2011, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 was recorded. On February 6, 2013, an earthquake of magnitude 8.0 occurred.
Story
The first settlers speaking Papuan languages began arriving in the Solomon Islands around 3000 BC. e. Speakers of Austronesian languages - approximately 4000 years ago. They brought with them cultural elements such as the outrigger canoe. Between approximately 1200 and 800 BC. e. The ancestors of the Polynesians (people of the Lapita culture) from the Bismarck Archipelago, who knew pottery production, arrived on the Islands.
The Solomon Islands were discovered in 1568 by the Spanish navigator A. Mendaña de Neira, who exchanged gold from the local residents and named these islands Solomon, comparing them with "Golden Country of Solomon". Founded in 1595 by Mendaña by decree of King Philip II on the island of Santa Cruz, the Spanish colony did not last long and was soon abandoned due to conflicts with warlike natives.
For the next century and a half, the islands were not visited by Europeans. They were discovered a second time by the Englishman F. Carteret in 1767.
Since the mid-1840s, Catholic and Protestant missionaries have repeatedly tried to settle in the Solomon Islands, but for a long time they did not succeed: many of them were killed by the aborigines.
The development of the Solomon Islands by Europeans began only in the 1860s, when the first white traders began to establish themselves there. The natives tried to kill these traders, but they, unlike the missionaries, managed to organize their defense.
Data on the literacy level of the population of the Solomon Islands is not available.
Urban population - 19.7% (101,798 people) (2009 census).
Languages
Religion
Religions: Church of Melanesia - 31.9% (164,639 people), Catholics - 19.6% (100,999 people), South Sea Evangelists - 17.1% (88,395 people), Seventh-day Adventists - 11, 7% (60,506 people), united church - 10.1% (51,919 people), Christian Fellowship Church - 2.5% (13,153 people), other Christians - 4.4%, others - 2, 7% (14,076 people). (according to the 2009 census).
Approximately 97% of the population of Solomon Islands professes the Christian faith. The largest Christian denominations: 31.9% of the population belong to the Church of Melanesia, 19.6% belong to the Roman Catholic Church, 17.1% to the South Seas Evangelical Church, 11.7% to Seventh-day Adventist Church, 10.1% - United Church of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, 2.5% - Christian Fellowship Church. 2.9% of the population practices indigenous religious beliefs. There are approximately 350 Muslims (2007 data).
Policy
The political system of the Solomon Islands is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government. Queen Elizabeth II is the monarch of the Solomon Islands and head of state. Its power is exercised through the Governor-General, who is elected by Parliament for a term of five years.
The parliament is unicameral, consists of 50 representatives, and is elected every four years. According to the results of the last elections (August 2010), there are 19 independent deputies and representatives of 12 political parties in parliament (the largest party has 13 deputies, the rest have from 3 to 1 deputies). Parliament can be dissolved early by a majority vote of its members.
Any citizen over 21 years of age has the right to vote in elections. The head of government is the Prime Minister, he is elected by Parliament and appoints other ministers. The Cabinet of Ministers consists of 20 people. Each ministry is headed by a minister, who is assisted by a Permanent Secretary, who supervises the ministry's employees.
Solomon Islands' political parties are weak and parliamentary coalitions are extremely unstable. Votes of no confidence are often announced in the government, as a result of which the composition of the government often changes.
There are no military units as such in the Solomon Islands, although the police force, numbering about 500 people, includes a border security unit. The police function as firefighters, assist in emergency situations and carry out maritime patrols. The police are led by a commissioner appointed by the governor general. The Commissioner is under the control of the Prime Minister.
The main buyers (in 2009) are China 54.1%, South Korea 6.2%, Philippines 6%, Spain 4.9%.
Imports - $0.26 billion in 2008 - food, industrial goods, fuel, chemical products.
The main suppliers (in 2009) are Singapore 24.7%, Australia 23.1%, New Zealand 5.2%, Fiji 4.5%, Papua New Guinea 4.3%, Malaysia 4%.
Culture
The Solomon Islands have largely retained their former cultural appearance.
The villages are dominated by houses of the traditional type: light, rectangular huts on pillars with wicker walls and a gable roof made of palm leaves. However, in large settlements there are many buildings of European type.
In clothing, European elements have significantly supplanted the tradition, but some local residents continue to wear loincloths and short skirts.
In the spiritual culture of the islanders, tradition is also closely intertwined with modernity. Folklore, original songs and dances, and applied arts are relatively well preserved among the local population, but modern culture is also being introduced.
Sport
see also
Write a review on the article "Solomon Islands"
Notes
Literature
- Oceania. Directory. - M.: Nauka, 1982.
- Rubtsov B. B. Oceania. - M.: Science, 1991.
Links
- - article from the Krugosvet encyclopedia
- // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
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Excerpt describing the Solomon Islands
Napoleon started the war with Russia because he could not help but come to Dresden, could not help but be overwhelmed by honors, could not help but put on a Polish uniform, could not succumb to the enterprising impression of a June morning, could not refrain from an outburst of anger in the presence of Kurakin and then Balashev.
Alexander refused all negotiations because he personally felt insulted. Barclay de Tolly tried to manage the army in the best possible way in order to fulfill his duty and earn the glory of a great commander. Rostov galloped to attack the French because he could not resist the desire to gallop across a flat field. And so exactly, due to their personal properties, habits, conditions and goals, all those innumerable persons who took part in this war acted. They were afraid, they were conceited, they rejoiced, they were indignant, they reasoned, believing that they knew what they were doing and that they were doing it for themselves, and all were involuntary instruments of history and carried out work hidden from them, but understandable to us. This is the unchangeable fate of all practical figures, and the higher they stand in the human hierarchy, the more free they are.
Now the figures of 1812 have long since left their places, their personal interests have disappeared without a trace, and only the historical results of that time are before us.
But let’s assume that the people of Europe, under the leadership of Napoleon, had to go deep into Russia and die there, and all the self-contradictory, senseless, cruel activities of the people participating in this war become clear to us.
Providence forced all these people, striving to achieve their personal goals, to contribute to the fulfillment of one huge result, about which not a single person (neither Napoleon, nor Alexander, nor even less any of the participants in the war) had the slightest aspiration.
Now it is clear to us what was the cause of the death of the French army in 1812. No one will argue that the reason for the death of Napoleon’s French troops was, on the one hand, their entry at a late time without preparation for a winter campaign deep into Russia, and on the other hand, the nature that the war took on from the burning of Russian cities and the incitement of hatred towards the enemy in the Russian people. But then not only did no one foresee that (which now seems obvious) that only in this way could the army of eight hundred thousand, the best in the world and led by the best commander, die in a clash with the Russian army, which was twice as weak, inexperienced and led by inexperienced commanders; not only did no one foresee this, but all efforts on the part of the Russians were constantly aimed at preventing the fact that only one could save Russia, and on the part of the French, despite the experience and so-called military genius of Napoleon, all efforts were directed towards this to stretch out to Moscow at the end of summer, that is, to do the very thing that should have destroyed them.
In historical works about 1812, French authors are very fond of talking about how Napoleon felt the danger of stretching his line, how he was looking for a battle, how his marshals advised him to stop in Smolensk, and give other similar arguments proving that it was already understood there was danger of the campaign; and Russian authors are even more fond of talking about how from the beginning of the campaign there was a plan for the Scythian war to lure Napoleon into the depths of Russia, and they attribute this plan to some Pfuel, some to some Frenchman, some to Tolya, some to Emperor Alexander himself, pointing to notes, projects and letters that actually contain hints of this course of action. But all these hints of foreknowledge of what happened, both on the part of the French and on the part of the Russians, are now exhibited only because the event justified them. If the event had not happened, then these hints would have been forgotten, just as thousands and millions of opposing hints and assumptions that were in use then, but turned out to be unfair and therefore forgotten, are now forgotten. There are always so many assumptions about the outcome of every event that takes place that, no matter how it ends, there will always be people who will say: “I said then that it would be like this,” completely forgetting that among the countless assumptions, completely opposite.
Assumptions about Napoleon's awareness of the danger of stretching the line and on the part of the Russians - about luring the enemy into the depths of Russia - obviously belong to this category, and historians can only attribute such considerations to Napoleon and his marshals and such plans to Russian military leaders only with great reserve. All the facts completely contradict such assumptions. Not only throughout the war was there no desire on the part of the Russians to lure the French into the depths of Russia, but everything was done to stop them from their first entry into Russia, and not only was Napoleon not afraid of stretching his line, but he rejoiced at how triumph, every step forward, and very lazily, unlike in his previous campaigns, he looked for battle.
At the very beginning of the campaign, our armies are cut up, and the only goal to which we strive is to unite them, although in order to retreat and lure the enemy into the interior of the country, there does not seem to be any advantage in uniting the armies. The emperor is with the army to inspire it to defend every step of the Russian land, and not to retreat. The huge Dries camp is being built according to Pfuel's plan and it is not intended to retreat further. The Emperor reproaches the commander-in-chief for every step of retreat. Not only the burning of Moscow, but the admission of the enemy to Smolensk cannot even be imagined by the emperor, and when the armies unite, the sovereign is indignant because Smolensk was taken and burned and was not given a general battle before the walls of it.
The sovereign thinks so, but the Russian military leaders and all Russian people are even more indignant at the thought that ours are retreating into the interior of the country.
Napoleon, having cut up the armies, moves inland and misses several occasions of battle. In August he is in Smolensk and thinks only about how he can move on, although, as we now see, this movement forward is obviously detrimental for him.
The facts clearly show that neither Napoleon foresaw the danger in moving towards Moscow, nor Alexander and the Russian military leaders then thought about luring Napoleon, but thought about the opposite. The luring of Napoleon into the interior of the country did not happen according to anyone’s plan (no one believed in the possibility of this), but occurred from the most complex game of intrigues, goals, desires of people - participants in the war, who did not guess what should be, and what was the only salvation of Russia. Everything happens by accident. The armies are cut up at the start of the campaign. We are trying to unite them with the obvious goal of giving battle and holding off the enemy’s advance, but even in this desire to unite, avoiding battles with the strongest enemy and involuntarily retreating at an acute angle, we lead the French to Smolensk. But it’s not enough to say that we are retreating at an acute angle because the French are moving between both armies - this angle is becoming even sharper, and we are moving even further because Barclay de Tolly, an unpopular German, is hated by Bagration (who will become under his command ), and Bagration, commanding the 2nd Army, tries not to join Barclay for as long as possible, so as not to become under his command. Bagration does not join for a long time (although this is the main goal of all commanders) because it seems to him that he is putting his army in danger on this march and that it is most profitable for him to retreat to the left and south, harassing the enemy from the flank and rear and recruiting his army in Ukraine. But it seems that he came up with this because he did not want to obey the hated and junior German Barclay.
The emperor is with the army to inspire it, and his presence and lack of knowledge of what to decide on, and a huge number of advisers and plans destroy the energy of the 1st army’s actions, and the army retreats.
It is planned to stop at the Dris camp; but unexpectedly Paulucci, aiming to become commander-in-chief, influences Alexander with his energy, and Pfuel’s entire plan is abandoned, and the whole matter is entrusted to Barclay. But since Barclay does not inspire confidence, his power is limited.
The armies are fragmented, there is no unity of leadership, Barclay is not popular; but from this confusion, fragmentation and unpopularity of the German commander-in-chief, on the one hand, follows indecision and avoidance of battle (which could not be resisted if the armies were together and Barclay was not the commander), on the other hand, more and more indignation against the Germans and excitement of the patriotic spirit.
Finally, the sovereign leaves the army, and as the only and most convenient pretext for his departure, the idea is chosen that he needs to inspire the people in the capitals to initiate a people's war. And this trip of the sovereign and Moscow triples the strength of the Russian army.
The sovereign leaves the army in order not to hamper the unity of power of the commander-in-chief, and hopes that more decisive measures will be taken; but the position of the army command is even more confused and weakened. Bennigsen, the Grand Duke and a swarm of adjutant generals remain with the army in order to monitor the actions of the commander-in-chief and arouse him to energy, and Barclay, feeling even less free under the eyes of all these sovereign eyes, becomes even more careful for decisive actions and avoids battles.
Barclay stands for caution. The Tsarevich hints at treason and demands a general battle. Lyubomirsky, Branitsky, Wlotsky and the like inflate all this noise so much that Barclay, under the pretext of delivering papers to the sovereign, sends the Poles as adjutant generals to St. Petersburg and enters into an open fight with Bennigsen and the Grand Duke.
In Smolensk, finally, no matter how Bagration wished it, the armies are united.
Bagration drives up in a carriage to the house occupied by Barclay. Barclay puts on a scarf, goes out to meet him and reports to the senior rank of Bagration. Bagration, in the struggle of generosity, despite the seniority of his rank, submits to Barclay; but, having submitted, she agrees with him even less. Bagration personally, by order of the sovereign, informs him. He writes to Arakcheev: “The will of my sovereign, I cannot do it together with the minister (Barclay). For God's sake, send me somewhere, even to command a regiment, but I can’t be here; and the entire main apartment is filled with Germans, so it’s impossible for a Russian to live, and there’s no point. I thought I was truly serving the sovereign and the fatherland, but in reality it turns out that I am serving Barclay. I admit, I don’t want to.” The swarm of Branitskys, Wintzingerodes and the like further poisons the relations of the commanders-in-chief, and even less unity emerges. They are planning to attack the French in front of Smolensk. A general is sent to inspect the position. This general, hating Barclay, goes to his friend, the corps commander, and, after sitting with him for a day, returns to Barclay and condemns on all counts the future battlefield, which he has not seen.
While there are disputes and intrigues about the future battlefield, while we are looking for the French, having made a mistake in their location, the French stumble upon Neverovsky’s division and approach the very walls of Smolensk.
We must take on an unexpected battle in Smolensk in order to save our messages. The battle is given. Thousands are being killed on both sides.
Smolensk is abandoned against the will of the sovereign and all the people. But Smolensk was burned by the residents themselves, deceived by their governor, and the ruined residents, setting an example for other Russians, go to Moscow, thinking only about their losses and inciting hatred of the enemy. Napoleon moves on, we retreat, and the very thing that was supposed to defeat Napoleon is achieved.
The day after his son’s departure, Prince Nikolai Andreich called Princess Marya to his place.
- Well, are you satisfied now? - he told her, - she quarreled with her son! Are you satisfied? That's all you needed! Are you satisfied?.. It hurts me, it hurts. I'm old and weak, and that's what you wanted. Well, rejoice, rejoice... - And after that, Princess Marya did not see her father for a week. He was sick and did not leave the office.
To her surprise, Princess Marya noticed that during this time of illness the old prince also did not allow m lle Bourienne to visit him. Only Tikhon followed him.
A week later, the prince left and began his old life again, being especially active in buildings and gardens and ending all previous relations with m lle Bourienne. His appearance and cold tone with Princess Marya seemed to say to her: “You see, you made it up about me, lied to Prince Andrei about my relationship with this Frenchwoman and quarreled me with him; and you see that I don’t need either you or the Frenchwoman.”
Princess Marya spent one half of the day with Nikolushka, watching his lessons, herself giving him lessons in the Russian language and music, and talking with Desalles; she spent the other part of the day in her quarters with books, an old nanny, and with God's people, who sometimes came to her from the back porch.
Princess Marya thought about the war the way women think about war. She was afraid for her brother, who was there, horrified, without understanding her, by human cruelty, which forced them to kill each other; but she did not understand the significance of this war, which seemed to her the same as all previous wars. She did not understand the significance of this war, despite the fact that Desalles, her constant interlocutor, who was passionately interested in the progress of the war, tried to explain his thoughts to her, and despite the fact that the people of God who came to her all spoke with horror in their own way about popular rumors about the invasion of the Antichrist, and despite the fact that Julie, now Princess Drubetskaya, who again entered into correspondence with her, wrote patriotic letters to her from Moscow.
“I am writing to you in Russian, my good friend,” wrote Julie, “because I have hatred for all the French, as well as for their language, which I cannot hear spoken... We in Moscow are all delighted through enthusiasm for our beloved emperor.
My poor husband endures labor and hunger in Jewish taverns; but the news I have makes me even more excited.
You probably heard about the heroic feat of Raevsky, who hugged his two sons and said: “I will die with them, but we will not waver!” And indeed, although the enemy was twice as strong as us, we did not waver. We spend our time as best we can; but in war, as in war. Princess Alina and Sophie sit with me all day long, and we, unfortunate widows of living husbands, have wonderful conversations over lint; only you, my friend, are missing... etc.
Mostly Princess Marya did not understand the full significance of this war because the old prince never talked about it, did not acknowledge it and laughed at Desalles at dinner when he talked about this war. The prince's tone was so calm and confident that Princess Marya, without reasoning, believed him.
Throughout the month of July, the old prince was extremely active and even animated. He also laid out a new garden and a new building, a building for the courtyard workers. One thing that bothered Princess Marya was that he slept little and, having changed his habit of sleeping in the study, changed the place of his overnight stays every day. Either he ordered his camp bed to be set up in the gallery, then he remained on the sofa or in the Voltaire chair in the living room and dozed without undressing, while not m lle Bourienne, but the boy Petrusha read to him; then he spent the night in the dining room.
On August 1, a second letter was received from Prince Andrei. In the first letter, received shortly after his departure, Prince Andrei humbly asked his father for forgiveness for what he had allowed himself to say to him, and asked him to return his favor to him. The old prince responded to this letter with an affectionate letter and after this letter he alienated the Frenchwoman from himself. Prince Andrei's second letter, written from near Vitebsk, after the French occupied it, consisted of a brief description of the entire campaign with a plan outlined in the letter, and considerations for the further course of the campaign. In this letter, Prince Andrei presented his father with the inconvenience of his position close to the theater of war, on the very line of movement of the troops, and advised him to go to Moscow.
At dinner that day, in response to the words of Desalles, who said that, as heard, the French had already entered Vitebsk, the old prince remembered Prince Andrei’s letter.
“I received it from Prince Andrei today,” he said to Princess Marya, “didn’t you read it?”
Solomon islands.
The name of the country is associated with the legend of the land of Ophir, where the treasures of King Solomon are hidden.
Capital of the Solomon Islands. Honiara.
Area of Solomon Islands. 29,000 km2.
Population of Solomon Islands. 480 thousand people
Location of Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands - a state in the western part, east of New, located on the southeastern part of the islands of the same name.
Administrative divisions of the Solomon Islands. The state is divided into 7 provinces and 1 city.
Solomon Islands form of government. .
Head of State of Solomon Islands. The Queen, represented by the Governor-General.
Supreme legislative body of the Solomon Islands. Unicameral National Parliament.
Supreme executive body of the Solomon Islands. Government.
Major cities in Solomon Islands. Apart from the capital, there are no large cities.
Official language of Solomon Islands. English.
Religion of Solomon Islands. 34% are Anglicans, 24% are Evangelicals, 19% are .
Ethnic composition of Solomon Islands. 93% - Melanesians, 4% - , 1.5% - , 0.8% - , 0.3% - Chinese.
Currency of Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands dollar = 100 cents.
Solomon Islands. , very hot and humid. The temperature is practically constant throughout the year - + 24-27 ° C, precipitation is over 2300 mm per year. From April to November it is relatively dry and cool, due to the southeast trade winds blowing at this time. The hot and humid season lasts from January to April, when the northwest monsoons dominate. during this season it is usually 90%.
Flora of the Solomon Islands. Most of the islands are covered with evergreens. Palm trees and ficus trees grow here. In the driest places they are located; mangroves predominate along the banks.
Fauna of the Solomon Islands. The fauna of the Solomon Islands is represented by rats, bats, crocodiles, lizards, snakes, giant frogs; birds - wild pigeons, parrots, etc. Large swallowtail butterflies live in the forests.
and lakes of the Solomon Islands. There are no permanent rivers or lakes.
Sights of the Solomon Islands. Honiara has the Houses of Parliament, the National Museum and Cultural Centre, botanical gardens, the nearby Water Pump Village and a colourful, vibrant Chinatown.
Useful information for tourists
The archipelago is almost untouched by tourism, few people visit this poor country, but they are drawn to the Solomon Islands by the genuine naturalness of everything they see or visit. There is practically nothing artificial or created specifically to please tourists. Travelers looking for extraordinary natural settings will not be disappointed by any part of this small country - the islands have a well-deserved reputation as perhaps the best natural destination in the world for scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. Tips are not accepted, but if the service is good, you can leave the staff 5% of the bill or an additional 1-2 dollars.
Black and red (the color of blood) colors are taboo on Laulasi and Bu-su, and visitors should take this into account when choosing clothing and jewelry for the trip.
Village life in the Solomon Islands is still surrounded by many taboos. It is impossible to explain the meaning of all of them, but when visiting populated areas you should be careful and limit your curiosity as much as possible. The term "taboo" means "sacred" ("holy") as well as "forbidden", so it's worth keeping that in mind. Property rights are very important here - the tree, fruit or flower by the side of the road most likely belongs to someone. For many islanders, their income depends on what they grow, so locals can expect hefty compensation if you pick fruit that was intended for sale. The clothing (or lack thereof) of islanders varies, but travelers must be fully clothed. In many areas it is considered “taboo” for a woman to stand above a man, and even more so a man, even a foreigner, should not deliberately occupy a place below a woman. It is also forbidden to swim under a canoe in which there are women - it will probably have to be destroyed later, and for many islanders the canoe is the only means of obtaining food. As in all cultures of the world, taboos play the role of moral precepts or codes and are designed to protect the community, so it is not customary to punish the uninitiated, which includes foreigners. But nevertheless, compliance with local customs is desirable.
