[Countries] Solomon Islands Background: The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on these islands. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Current issues include government deficits, deforestation, and malaria control. Solomon Islands Geography [Top of Page] Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea Geographic coordinates: 8 00 S, 159 00 E Map references: Oceania Area: total: 28,450 sq km land: 27,540 sq km water: 910 sq km Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland Land boundaries: km Coastline: 5,313 km Maritime claims: measured from claimed archipelagic baselines continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls Elevation extremes: lowest point: Pacific Ocean m highest point: Mount Makarakomburu 2,447 m Natural resources: fish, forests, gold, bauxite, phosphates, lead, zinc, nickel | |
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