7th July: Solomon Islands Independence Day

Solomon Islands became independent from the UK on this date in 1978. How much do you know about the Solomon Islands?

1. Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania. The largest island is Guadalcanal, where the capital Honiara, is. Other islands include: Choiseul, the Shortland Islands; the New Georgia Islands; Santa Isabel; the Russell Islands; Nggela (the Florida Islands); Malaita; Sikaiana; Maramasike; Ulawa; Uki; Makira (San Cristobal); Santa Ana; Rennell and Bellona; the Santa Cruz Islands;Tikopia, Anuta, and Fatutaka. Bougainville, an island geographically located within the Solomon Islands, is actually part of Papua New Guinea.
2. If the name Guadalcanal sounds familiar, that's probably because it was the site of a major battle between the allies and the Japanese in World War II. It lasted six months and thousands of people were killed. Hence there are WWII museums and WWII wrecks which tourists can visit today.
3. Another tourist attraction is Skull Island, which has a shrine containing the Skulls of local chiefs. Before the Christian missionaries arrived the indigenous people were headhunters and cannibals. It's possible there were still active headhunters in the country as recently as 40 years ago.
4. The first European to visit the Solomon Islands was the Spanish navigator Álvaro de Mendaña in 1568. He thought the islands looked rich in resources and named them after the wealthy Biblical King Solomon.
5. The major industries are fish (Tuna), mining and timber. Agricultural crops are Cocoa, coconuts, palm kernels, Rice, Potatoes, timber cattle, Pigs and fish. The Solomon Islands export timber, fish, copra and palm oil. Their major trading partners are China, Thailand, Japan, New Zealand, Malaysia, Australia and Singapore.
6. On the Flag, the five main island groups are represented by five stars. The blue represents the surrounding ocean, Green represents the land. The Yellow stripe represents sunshine.
7. The highest point is Mount Popomanaseu 2,332m (7,651 ft). This mountain is also the highest in the entire South Pacific.
8. The majority of Solomon Islanders are Melanesian, Polynesian or Micronesian with a few thousand ethnic Chinese living there, too. None of these races are known for having fair hair, but all the same about 10% of the population is blond. 26% of the population carry the recessive trait for blond hair. This is the highest incidence of blond hair outside European races. It is caused by the same gene found in Northern Europe but it appeared in Oceania spontaneously rather than being passed down from European settlers.
9. Solomon Islands is home to the world’s largest saltwater lagoon (Marovo Lagoon, in New Georgia); the world’s largest raised coral atoll (East Rennell); and Lake Tegano, once a lagoon, the largest lake in the South Pacific.
10. There is a species of skink here which can grow to nearly 75 centimeters (30 in) in length—three times larger than the average skink. Unlike most reptiles, which lay eggs, the female Solomon Islands skink carries its young internally. When baby skinks are born, they are sometimes already half the size of their mother.