Solomon Islands: flag, capital, currency and history

Flag of Solomon Islands

Download the flag of Solomon Islands as a scalable SVG or as a PNG in three sizes. The flag emoji is 🇸🇧.

History of Solomon Islands

Melanesian peoples have lived in the islands for thousands of years, and Austronesian-speaking settlers later arrived in the region. The Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendana reached the islands in 1568 and gave them their name. In the nineteenth century traders, missionaries and labour recruiters arrived, and Britain declared a protectorate over the southern islands in 1893. Heavy fighting took place on Guadalcanal and nearby islands during the Second World War. The territory gained self-government in 1976 and became independent within the Commonwealth on 7 July 1978. It is a parliamentary monarchy.

Key dates

1. 1568Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendana reaches the islands and names them.
2. 1893Britain declares a protectorate over the southern Solomon Islands.
3. 1942Japanese forces occupy parts of the islands; the Guadalcanal campaign begins.
4. 1976The territory attains self-government.
5. 1978Solomon Islands becomes independent on 7 July.
6. 1998Ethnic tensions begin, leading to unrest and later regional intervention.

A short overview, not a full history. Dates are given for well-documented events only.

Currency of Solomon Islands

Solomon Islands uses the Solomon Islands dollar (SBD, $). Use our free currency converter to check exchange rates.

Frequently asked questions

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