ABOUT SOLOMON ISLANDS:

On a map, the Solomon Islands looks like a double chain. There are 999 islands and atolls in the group. The six larger islands (Choiseul, Isabel, Malaita, New Georgia, Guadalcanal and Makira) form the two long groups of continental islands that converge at either end, causing the chain formation.

The capital, Honiara is based on Guadalcanal,a site for some of the bloodiest battles of World War II. Former US president John F. Kennedy fought in this area at the time and was almost killed when a Japanese destroyer hit his boat.

Today there are about 350,000 people living in this Melanesian country. There are 83 distinct cultural groups speaking 87 different dialects. Despite its diverse population, the Solomon Islands is a relatively peaceful country, hence its nickname 'Happy Isles'. Solomon Islanders have very strong community, family and clan values.

Oral history enables most people to trace back their ancestry at least ten generations. With such links to the past, many consider themselves to be part of an immediate family of 200. The Pijin word "wantok" - which derives from "one talk" meaning people from the same language group - is used to indicate blood relatives in the extended family.

The people have an amazing variety of complexions from light tan to blue black. Bushy blonde hair is often seen with chocolate coloured skin especially in Malaita. Mystery and myth surrounded the Solomon Islands when Spanish explorer Mendana arrived in 1568. Stories of hidden gold on the island with links to the biblical King Solomon gave the island notoriety. However the stories proved unfounded as did the gold, and the islands were 'lost' to the Western world for 200 years because of inaccurate sea charting.

After its rediscovery in 1767 there was rapid settlement on the islands by Europeans, and in 1893 it was declared a British protectorate. This was done partly to stop the rampant black birding of villagers who were sold into slavery overseas, particularly Australia and Fiji.

In the early 1900s, Europeans and Australians began planting large coconut plantations and establishing mission schools. Things were peaceful until 1942 when Japan seized the islands after landing on Guadalcanal. When World War II ended, native disillusionment with and resentment of foreign powers saw the formation of a pro-independence cult movement called 'Marching Rule'. It wasn't until 1976 that the Solomon Islands achieved internal self-government, and finally independence in July 1978.

The Solomons have a close relationship with Australia which provides thousands of dollars worth of aid money each year. Fish, lumber, copra, palm oil, cocoa and goal are some of their main exports as well as honey. A big problem in the islands is malaria. There are more cases of this disease in the Solomons than in any other country in the world.

The climate is tropical, though temperatures are rarely extreme due to cooling winds blowing off the surrounding seas. November to March is the wet season - the northwest monsoon - typically warmer and wetter. Cyclones start in the Coral Sea and the area of the Solomon Islands, but they usually steer towards Vanuatu and New Caledonia or down the coast of Australia.