In News
- Recently, the US stated that it will open an embassy in the Solomon Islands.
- The embassy announcement emphasizes building partnerships with allies in the region as a way to counter China’s growing influence and ambitions.
About
- The U.S. previously operated an embassy in the Solomons for five years before closing it in 1993.
- Since then, U.S. diplomats from neighboring Papua New Guinea have been accredited to the Solomons, which has a U.S. consular agency.
About the Solomon Islands
- The Solomon Islands, a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
- Solomon Islands lie northeast of Australia and southwest of Hawaii.
- They comprise 992 islands of which 147 are inhabited..
- They gained independence from Britain on July 7, 1978.
- Honiara, on the north coast of Guadalcanal Island, is Solomon Islands’ capital and largest city.
- Today, between 70 to 80 percent of the population live a subsistence form of life in their small villages, settlements and islands away from the main urban centres.
- Religion: About 95% of The Population are Christians.
- Flora and Fauna: The main Islands of Solomons are volcanic in origin covered with fast-flowing rivers and streams.
- They are home to many endemic flora and fauna species, which includes the common cardinal lorry.
Source: TH
