World Factbook
Solomon Islands
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: divided diagonally by a yellow stripe from the lower-left corner; the upper triangle (left side) is blue with five five-pointed white stars in an "X" pattern; the lower triangle is green meaning: blue stands for the ocean, green for the land, and yellow for sunshine; the five stars stand for the main island groups
Capital
name
Honiara
etymology
the name derives from the local term nagho ni ara , meaning "place of the east wind" or "facing the trade winds"
time difference
UTC+11 (16 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
9 26 S, 159 57 E
Suffrage
21 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of the Solomon Islands
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
7 years
Constitution
history
adopted 31 May 1978, effective 7 July 1978
amendment process
proposed by the National Parliament; passage of constitutional sections, including those on fundamental rights and freedoms, the legal system, Parliament, alteration of the constitution and the ombudsman, requires three-fourths majority vote by Parliament and assent of the governor general; passage of other amendments requires two-thirds majority vote and assent of the governor general
Country name
former
British Solomon Islands
etymology
Spanish explorer Alvaro de MENDANA named the isles in 1568 after the wealthy biblical King SOLOMON in the mistaken belief that the islands contained great riches
local long form
none
local short form
Solomon Islands
conventional long form
none
conventional short form
Solomon Islands
Independence
7 July 1978 (from the UK)
Legal system
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Government type
parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy; a Commonwealth realm
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Court of Appeal (consists of the court president and ex officio members including the High Court chief justice and puisne judges); High Court (consists of the chief justice and puisne judges)
subordinate courts
Magistrates' Courts; Customary Land Appeal Court; local courts
judge selection and term of office
Court of Appeal and High Court president, chief justices, and puisne judges appointed by the governor general on recommendation of the Judicial and Legal Service Commission, chaired by the chief justice and includes 5 members, mostly judicial officials and legal professionals; all judges serve until retirement at age 60
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
chief of state
King CHARLES III (since 8 September 2022); represented by Governor General David Tiva KAPU (since 7 July 2024)
head of government
Prime Minister Jeremiah MANELE (since 2 May 2024)
election/appointment process
the monarchy is hereditary; governor general appointed by the monarch on the advice of the National Parliament for up to 5 years (eligible for a second term); following legislative elections, the National Parliament usually elects the leader of the majority party or majority coalition as prime minister; deputy prime minister appointed by the governor general on the advice of the prime minister
National holiday
Independence Day, 7 July (1978)
National color(s)
blue, yellow, green, white
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
1 (natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
East Rennell
Political parties
Democratic Alliance Party or DAP Kadere Party of Solomon Islands or KAD Ownership, Unity, and Responsibility Party (OUR Party) Solomon Islands People First Party or SIPFP Solomon Islands Democratic Party or SIDP Solomon Islands Party for Rural Advancement or SIPRA Solomon Islands United Party or UP United for Change Party or U4C Coalition for Accountability Reform and Empowerment (CARE) (includes DAP, SIDP, and U4C)
note: the Solomon Islands political party system is characterized by fluid coalitions
Legislative branch
term in office
4 years
number of seats
50 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
National Parliament
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
4/17/2024
expected date of next election
April 2028
percentage of women in chamber
6%
parties elected and seats per party
Ownership Unity and Responsibility (OUR Party) (15); Solomon Islands Democratic Party (SIDP) (11); Solomon Islands United Party (UP) (6); Solomon Islands People First Party (SIPFP) (3); Independents (11); Other (4)
National anthem(s)
title
"God Save the King"
history
in use since 1745
lyrics/music
unknown
Administrative divisions
9 provinces and 1 city*; Central, Choiseul, Guadalcanal, Honiara*, Isabel, Makira and Ulawa, Malaita, Rennell and Bellona, Temotu, Western
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (212) 661-8925
chancery
685 Third Avenue, 11th Floor, Suite 1102, New York, NY 10017
telephone
[1] (212) 599-6192
chief of mission
Ambassador Jane Mugafalu Kabui WAETARA (since 16 September 2022); note - also Permanent Representative to the UN
email address and website
simun@solomons.com
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[677] 27429
embassy
BJS Building Commonwealth Avenue Honiara, Solomon Islands
telephone
[677] 23426
chief of mission
Ambassador Ann Marie YASTISHOCK (since 14 March 2024); note - also accredited to the Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu, based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea
email address and website
EmbassyHoniara@state.gov https://pg.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, ADB, AOSIS, C, EITI (candidate country), ESCAP, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IOC, ITU, MIGA, OPCW, PIF, Sparteca, SPC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WFTU, WHO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt