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Key Facts

GDP (ppp) per CAPITA
$1,900 (2008 est.)
Inflation Rate
6.3% (2007 est.)
Population
595,613 (July 2009 est.)
Ease of Doing Business
89/181

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Solomon Islands : Introduction

The UK established a protectorate over the Solomon Islands in the 1890s. Some of the bitterest fighting of World War II occurred on this archipelago. Self-government was achieved in 1976 and independence two years later. Ethnic violence, government malfeasance, and endemic crime have undermined stability and civil society. In June 2003, then Prime Minister Sir Allan KEMAKEZA sought the assistance of Australia in reestablishing law and order; the following month, an Australian-led multinational force arrived to restore peace and disarm ethnic militias. The Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI) has generally been effective in restoring law and order and rebuilding government institutions.

Capital City:   Honiara (+11 GMT)
Currency:   Solomon Islands dollar (SBD) (convert)
Languages:   Melanesian pidgin in much of the country is lingua franca; English (official but spoken by only 1%-2% of the population); 120 indigenous languages
Calling Code:   677
Voltage:   240
Religions:   Church of Melanesia 32.8%, Roman Catholic 19%, South Seas Evangelical 17%, Seventh-Day Adventist 11.2%, United Church 10.3%, Christian Fellowship Church 2.4%, other Christian 4.4%, other 2.4%, unspecified 0.3%, none 0.2%
Solomon Islands: Central Bank of Solomon Islands

As the official financial institution of the Solomon Islands, the Central Bank of Solomon Islands provides information on national financial statistics, periodic financial bulletins, and currency and coin collectables.

Sources:
CIA World Factbook (September 2009)
U.S. Dept. of State Country Background Notes (September 2008)

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