ABSTRACT
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in the Melanesia subregion of Oceania in the Western Pacific Ocean. It comprises six major islands and over 900 smaller islands largely located to the east of Papua New Guinea. Honiara, the capital, is situated on Guadalcanal, the largest island, and its bustling central market showcases the islands’ produce and traditional handicrafts. The other principal urban centers include Gizo, Auki, and Kirakira. The population is young: 53 percent of Solomon Islands’ 690,598 people are under 24. There are over 80 spoken local languages and dialects in Solomon Islands, with English designated as the official language and Melanesian pidgin as the lingua franca. Solomon Islanders are predominantly Christians of various denominations, with about 5 percent of the population maintaining traditional beliefs.
