Sights of the Solomon Islands. Attractions of the Solomon Islands Dangerous plants and animals

It is believed that the first people appeared on the territory of the Solomon Islands approximately 30 thousand years ago, but the first organized agricultural settlements here date back to the fourth millennium BC. From that time until the 17th century AD, numerous Polynesian tribes rolled through this land in waves, going east into the vast expanses of the Great Ocean. Some of them settled in the Solomon Islands, forming an amazing culture in which various Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian traditions were mixed. In 1568, the Spanish navigator Don Alvaro de Mendaña da Neira (or Mendana de Neira), after a three-month voyage across the Pacific Ocean, discovered big Island, named by him in honor of the patron saint of his expedition, Santa Isabel, and then moved along the numerous islands of the land he discovered, charting them and giving them Spanish names. Mendaña named this archipelago Western Isles, or Isla de Solomon, in honor of the biblical King Solomon, and the largest of the discovered islands was named in honor of the native village of one of the crew members - Guadalcanal (Alvaro de Mendaña da Neira himself died from illnesses on Santa Cruz in 1595 during his second expedition to the islands).

Due to little knowledge of the archipelago region and its complex hydrography, Europeans could not discover the islands found by Mendaña for a long time, and only in August 1767 did the British captain Philip Carteret map Bougainville, and D'Entrecasteaux surveyed the central part of the archipelago and finally identified Guadalcanal with the island , described almost two centuries ago. Then, for more than a hundred years, everyone except the missionaries and slave traders forgot about the islands, but both the former and the latter received brutal rebuff from the local residents. The islanders quickly realized the danger posed by the white man and began to kill anyone. Europeans who came into their sight, which earned the islands a reputation as the most inhospitable land in the Pacific Ocean.

In 1893, Great Britain announced its protectorate over the archipelago, prohibited the slave trade and established a capital on Tulagi Island (Florida), on which a court was laid out, and a hospital, trade mission and club were built. And for another fifty years everyone forgot about the Solomon Islands - until the Second World War, only Tulagi remained evidence of some kind of European presence. But during the war in the Pacific, the word Guadalcanal entered all the languages ​​of the world - the islands became the scene of fierce battles between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the US Navy - from August 1942 to December 1943, 14 major naval battles died down here, and bloody battles for Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Tulagi are included in all textbooks.

After the war, the nationalist (and pro-American) Malaita independence movement opposed British rule. Mass repressions of 1947-1948 somewhat reduced the intensity of passions, but could not stop the struggle against colonial rule, and in the early 50s of the 20th century, a gradual transition of the Solomon Islands to independence began. In the early to mid-1960s, the UK legitimized local governments, then regional assemblies were founded and finally, in 1970, a governing council was elected from local residents. Independence of the Solomon Islands was granted on July 7, 1978.

Like neighboring Vanuatu, this land, still almost isolated from the outside world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impenetrable jungle, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, the purest mountain rivers with waterfalls and blue lagoons. It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature with such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions. The archipelago is practically untouched by tourism, since there are few people on Earth who want to visit this poor and isolated country. But many are drawn here by the genuine naturalness of everything they see or visit. There is practically nothing artificial or created specifically to please tourists, and the nature of the islands, called extraordinary without unnecessary exaggeration, gives them a reputation as perhaps one of last places planet, as if specially designed for extreme species recreation. There are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sport fishing.

It is believed that the first people appeared on the territory of the Solomon Islands approximately 30 thousand years ago, but the first organized agricultural settlements here date back to the fourth millennium BC. From that time until the 17th century AD, numerous Polynesian tribes rolled through this land in waves, going east into the vast expanses of the Great Ocean. Some of them settled in the Solomon Islands, forming an amazing culture in which various Melanesian, Polynesian and Micronesian traditions were mixed. In 1568, the Spanish navigator Don Alvaro de Mendaña da Neira (or Mendana de Neira), after a three-month voyage in the Pacific Ocean, discovered a large island, which he named after the patron saint of his expedition, Santa Isabel, and then moved along the numerous islands of the land he discovered, causing them on the map and naming them with Spanish names. Mendaña named this archipelago the Western Islands, or Isla de Solomon, in honor of the biblical King Solomon, and the largest of the discovered islands was named after the native village of one of the crew members - Guadalcanal (Alvaro de Mendaña da Neira himself died of illness in 1595 on Santa Cruz during his second expedition to the islands).

Due to little knowledge of the archipelago region and its complex hydrography, Europeans could not discover the islands found by Mendaña for a long time, and only in August 1767 did the British captain Philip Carteret map Bougainville, and D'Entrecasteaux surveyed the central part of the archipelago and finally identified Guadalcanal with the island , described almost two centuries ago. Then, for more than a hundred years, everyone except the missionaries and slave traders forgot about the islands, but both the former and the latter received brutal rebuff from the local residents. The islanders quickly realized the danger posed by the white man and began to kill anyone. Europeans who came into their sight, which earned the islands a reputation as the most inhospitable land in the Pacific Ocean.

In 1893, Great Britain announced its protectorate over the archipelago, prohibited the slave trade and established a capital on Tulagi Island (Florida), on which a court was laid out, and a hospital, trade mission and club were built. And for another fifty years everyone forgot about the Solomon Islands - until the Second World War, only Tulagi remained evidence of some kind of European presence. But during the war in the Pacific, the word “Guadalcanal” entered all the languages ​​of the world - the islands became the scene of fierce battles between the Imperial Japanese Navy and the US Navy - from August 1942 to December 1943, 14 major naval battles took place here, and the bloody battles for Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Tulagi are included in all textbooks.

After the war, the nationalist (and pro-American) Malaita independence movement opposed British rule. Mass repressions of 1947-1948 somewhat reduced the intensity of passions, but could not stop the struggle against colonial rule, and in the early 50s of the 20th century, a gradual transition of the Solomon Islands to independence began. In the early to mid-1960s, the UK legitimized local governments, then regional assemblies were founded and finally, in 1970, a governing council was elected from local residents. Independence of the Solomon Islands was granted on July 7, 1978.

Like neighboring Vanuatu, this land, still almost isolated from the outside world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impenetrable jungles, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, pure mountain rivers with waterfalls coexist and blue lagoons. It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature with such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions. The archipelago is practically untouched by tourism, since there are few people on Earth who want to visit this poor and isolated country. But many are drawn here by the genuine naturalness of everything they see or visit. There is practically nothing artificial or created specifically to please tourists, and the nature of the islands, called extraordinary without unnecessary exaggeration, gives them a reputation as perhaps one of the last places on the planet, as if specially designed for extreme types of recreation. There are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sport fishing.

Guadalcanal

The island of Guadalcanal, or Guadalcanal, is the largest piece of land in the Solomon Islands group (area 5302 sq. km). Rising from the depths of the ocean like some kind of prehistoric lizard, the mountainous and inhospitable island is almost entirely occupied by the slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallego, or Mount Gallego, Popomanaso, Makarakomburu, Tatuve, Kaichui - all of them have a height of 2 km or more) and is covered with a dense cover of tropical vegetation. Its mountainous terrain leaves no place for human habitation other than a very narrow coastal strip surrounding the entire island, only in the north, in the area of ​​Henderson Field (Henderson) and Honiara, which turns into a small plain. South coast it is rocky and bears the semi-official name Weser Coast ("Weather Coast"), since people's lives here depend entirely on weather conditions. Swampy shores and a hot and humid climate make life on Guadalcanal extremely difficult, but it is here that about 40% of the country's population lives, the capital of the archipelago and its main administrative institutions are located.

Honiara

The capital of the islands is located on the northern shore of Guadalcanal, in a vast bay between the peninsulas of Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the very place that de Mendaña called Puento Cruz in his time. Small and quite picturesque sea ​​port Honiara traces its origins to a tiny fishing village, whose name Naho-ni-Ara can be translated as “the place where the east and southeast winds collide” (such “flowery” names are generally very typical of local dialects). The city is very young - most of its modern buildings were built immediately after the end of World War II, when it was necessary to find a place for new capital archipelago (Tulagi was badly damaged during the fighting, and the place for it was not chosen in the best way). In 1952, Honiara officially became the capital of the Solomon Islands.

Honiara is perhaps the only more or less large populated area of ​​the archipelago - besides the fifty thousand local population concentrated on an area of ​​barely 1.5 square meters. km, residents of other islands constantly come here to shop, work and relax. Almost all of his life is in full swing along the Cookum Highway, connecting the Henderson Field area in the east with the White River town in the west. Along this route and the main street of the city, Mendana Avenue, which continues it (Mendana - this is how the islanders pronounce the name of the discoverer of their islands), almost all the main infrastructure facilities of the capital were built - the National Hospital, a complex of port facilities, a market and Chinatown, which was recently heavily damaged as a result of the riots.

The National Parliament Building, opened in 1993, stands out from the surrounding buildings with its conical shape and is considered the center of Honiara. The restored old Government House is now turned into a complex National Museum with an extensive collection on the history and culture of the country, and its park serves popular place spending an afternoon rest. Opposite stands the original building of the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, and between it and the yacht club is located Tourist office countries. Nearby are the National Archives (the most extensive collection of historical materials about the country, open to the public from 9.00-10.00 to 16.00-17.00) and the Public Library behind the Department office public works.

The large modern building of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has an original historical exhibition telling, as you might guess, the peculiarities of the local monetary system - traditional money for the countries of the region in the form of bunches of red feathers or cowrie shells is exhibited here, as well as a small exhibition of works by local wood carvers .

Just down Mendana Avenue, between the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) office and Grove Prison, Botanical gardens Honiara, famous for its collection of local plants (the area of ​​the gardens is quite small, and the collection looks modest at first glance, but to appreciate its significance, it is enough to imagine how much effort it would take to see all these orchids and vines in natural local conditions). Here, on Mendana Avenue, in a small park located almost opposite the Central Bank building, there is a Melanesian cultural village with its typical local buildings made of palm leaves and wicker mats. This colorful mini-museum specializes in demonstrating the traditions, rituals and crafts of various areas of the Solomon Islands.

Bustling and colorful markets selling vegetables, all kinds of tropical fruits, fish, betel nut, shells and handicrafts can be found throughout the week around the town pier, as well as in Grove and Kukuma (suburbs of Honiara). An excellent fish market is also located in Fisherman Village, or Lau, a small fishing village 5 km from the city, inhabited mainly by people from the province of Malaita. Even if you don’t like any of the goods, these places are worth visiting just to observe the daily life of the islanders, their colorful culture and language, because traders from the most remote villages of the archipelago gather here. And the commercial heart of the city is considered to be Chinatown, or Chinatown, located almost in the city center, near the Matanikau Bridge. Heavily damaged during the recent riots, it still remains a fairly picturesque area of ​​warehouses, shops and numerous mini-mansions built in the traditional "colonial style" with wooden verandas and iron roofs.

Many tourists note that the first impression of Honiara is quite disappointing - quite dusty and unprecedented quiet city practically does not have any outstanding historical or cultural monuments. One day is enough to explore all the sights of the capital, as well as visit most of the local markets and craft shops. However, the capital is the only place from where you can go on a tour of the island, and where you will most likely have to return, since there are no more or less decent accommodation facilities outside of it. However, many people also remember it as one of the most isolated places on earth, where you can sit in a restaurant or bar with a clear predominance of traditional seafood dishes, wander along the shore or go fishing right from the canopy of the surrounding establishment or a private house palm trees And a little to the west of the coastline, near the town of Poha, there is a good Bonigi beach and the Experimental Station for the Study of Giant Clams (ICLARM) - a kind of farm of these relict marine inhabitants, always valued by local residents for their taste and therefore on the verge of extinction.

Around the capital

East of Honiara there is a church school complex Beticama, widely known for its artisanal workshops (pottery, metal and woodwork, most of which can be purchased on site) and a small museum of World War II relics. There is a village nearby Tenaru, near which a sixty-meter waterfall of the same name roars. A village is located 7 km east of the capital Mavasere, considered the center of the Moro movement. A small museum is worth visiting here, designed to preserve the historical and spiritual values ​​of traditional local life. Even further east, between Guadalcanal and tiny island Tavanipupu, the waters spread out Marau Sound with their huge coral reefs, which are teeming with various marine life.

10 km from the capital lie the most beautiful "double-sided" Mataniko waterfalls. The waters of the river of the same name flow here from high cliff straight into a cave filled with graceful stalactites and stalagmites, and then disappear somewhere in the bowels of the island. Around you can find many fairly large and, importantly, clean bodies of water suitable for swimming, and the cave itself is home to a large population of swallows and bats. During the Second World War, this cave served as a shelter for the last soldiers of the Japanese garrison of Guadalcanal, and its surroundings became the scene of fierce battles (according to various estimates, from 400 to 600 soldiers of the imperial army found their death in the cave itself, resisting literally to the last bullet).

The battlefields of World War II in general are one of the main attractions of Guadalcanal in general and the surrounding area of ​​Honiara in particular. It was in these places that the most fierce battles raged between the Japanese garrison of the island and the US Marines, who outnumbered them several dozen times. Myself international Airport Henderson Field (Henderson Field, named after a US Marine major who died during the Battle of Midway) traces its origins to a runway that the Japanese began to build and was completed by the Americans. It was for this piece of land that stubborn battles unfolded, during which both sides suffered the most significant losses (according to various estimates, from 24 to 38 thousand people on land alone). Therefore, it is not surprising that traces of that war are still found in abundance around the capital and the airport, and the nearby waters are literally littered with the wreckage of various military equipment. Interestingly, one of the straits leading to Guadalcanal is still quite official name Iron Bottom (“Iron Bottom”), and for clearing it from the wreckage of ships and planes, the government of the Solomon Islands was even going to present an invoice to the United States and Japan, until it assessed the profit that could be made from visiting these places by tourists, as well as amateurs military history and divers from these countries.

On the Skyline Ridge and Mount Austin stands the American Memorial Park, detailing the battles for the island, as well as the Japanese Peace Memorial with its four white monoliths. From here they are carried out organized tours to places whose names speak for themselves - to the shores of Iron Bottom Sound, on the ridge of Bloody Ridge, Alligator Creek and Red Beach, to the Japanese memorial at Poha River and its Vilu Village Museum (also dedicated to the history of the battles for Guadalcanal), Lunga Point and Tetere Bay.

The southern coast (Weser Coast) is quite deserted and underdeveloped. Of all its attractions, only the town can be noted Tulagi(not to be confused with the old capital of the archipelago on the island of Florida) with its crafts and good conditions for sea fishing, as well as a village Komuvaulu- another center of the Moro movement with colorful local architecture and a tiny museum. And deep in the heart tropical forest Guadalcanal, on the slopes of the Lhamas (Lamas) mountain range, the noise of luxurious Vikhona waterfalls(Viona), unfortunately accessible only by helicopter.

Central region

Occupying an area of ​​about 1000 sq. km The central region lies around Guadalcanal and includes the islands of Savo, Russells, Nggela and the Florida group. Having once served as the center of the archipelago (the old capital of the Solomon Islands, the town of Tulagi, is located on the island of Florida), after World War II it practically lost its importance, since many infrastructure facilities were destroyed during the battles, and those that were built by the fighting armies were clearly temporary and quickly fell into disrepair. Therefore, most of the region’s modern attractions are associated either with traces of those battles, or with the sea and good local shores.

Permanently cloud-shrouded volcanic island Savo, lying in Iron Bottom Sound, is a paradise for divers and fans of other species active rest. The almost complete lack of infrastructure is compensated by the abundance of sunken ships (it was here that the famous Battle of Savo Island took place), the constantly smoking crater of the volcano and many practically boiling mineral springs, several ancient cult sites - megapodes, as well as a vibrant bird community and magnificent crystal clear waters. On the island Florida You can see the old headquarters of the British colonial administration with its hospital and headquarters, as well as old Port Parvis, which served first as a base for the British Navy and then for the Japanese Imperial Navy. And the island Anukha widely known for its white sandy shores.

Malaita Region

Eastern Province, named after the largest island in the group, is the second largest and most densely populated of the Solomon Islands, although many of its inhabitants do not live in major cities, like Honiara or Gizo, and in villages and towns lost in the jungle and islands. The large islands of Malaita are inhabited by Melanesians (about 96 thousand people), and on the atolls of Ontong Java (Lord Howe), Roncador, Cucumana and Sikaiana live Polynesian tribes (about 2 thousand people). It was these islands that made the greatest contribution to Solomon's reputation as inhospitable islands, and for the same reason, it is here that ancient folk traditions and rituals have been preserved to the greatest extent possible.

Distinctive feature of the island Malaita - great amount artificial islands, which since ancient times were built by local residents directly on atolls or rocky islets of lagoons. The lack of land suitable not only for cultivation, but simply for housing, forced the Malaitans from century to century to pour artificial shores from crushed coral or crushed stone between piles driven into the bottom, which the sea very quickly turned into a fairly strong monolith. Today, on these man-made islands, especially common in the lagoons of Langa Langa and Lau, about 12 thousand islanders from 15 tribal groups are concentrated, and in mountainous areas The Malaitas are home to one of the last relict tribes on the planet - the Kwaio (Kuaio) group. It is in these places that the ancient cult of shark worship has been preserved, which, according to local beliefs, is inhabited by the souls of ancestors. To the sharks local residents They are treated with respect and many of these ancient cartilaginous fish serve as totemic signs of tribes and clans.

Sharks are worshiped in many areas of the Solomon Islands, but no island has more rituals and celebrations dedicated to this sea predator than the islands Laulasi And Busu in the Langa Langa lagoon, which lie 16 km from the capital of the island of Malaita. From Auki you can take a boat to the artificial islands of the lagoons and here witness the ancient ritual of the practice of “calling a shark” or a rather dangerous method of catching it, when a diver, armed only with a rag and a spear (or knife), enters into a one-on-one confrontation with this formidable sea ​​predator. Although more often tourists are shown an equally shocking spectacle of communication with a shark. Many locals tame sharks, from the smallest nurse sharks to the largest and most fearsome of them all. The practice of "summoning a shark" is an ancient art of luring a predator, and somehow local sorcerers manage to put the shark to sleep right in the water and then manually raise them to the surface!! Knocking on stones in certain places underwater lures sharks to a depth of 30 cm, where a small boy (of course!!) gives the predator, who can bite him in half in the blink of an eye, a piece of pork, thanking her for the visit. The shark then continues to swim in circles around the lagoon, as if accepting a gift. This ritual was banned in the 1970s as extremely dangerous, but parts of this amazing custom are still practiced in many places. Since the pig meat used is black, black and red (the color of blood) colors are taboo on Laulasi and Busu (and many other islands in the area too), and visitors should take this into account when choosing clothing and jewelry for their trip.

Small town Auki(population about 4 thousand people) has been the capital of the Malaita region since 1920. Until the 20s of the 20th century, the city had an impressive defensive wall along its entire perimeter, capable of holding off attacks from hostile local residents or even well-armed Europeans for quite a long time, which predetermined its choice as the capital. Today's Auki is perhaps the most photogenic city in the country and can boast a fairly decent selection of shops, hotels and restaurants for these places, plus good, even by local standards, cuisine. From here you can get to the village Lilisana in the Langa Langa lagoon (it is believed that the inhabitants of this particular settlement invented the technology for making pile buildings and artificial islands), to the beautiful beaches of the lagoon itself, to picturesque cultural villages Alite, Anoano, Aofia, Aumea, Maeaena, Manaafe And Uru(prior appointment for a visit is required), as well as to the already mentioned cultural village of Busu, which, in addition to rituals with sharks, can offer many other interesting rituals.

Western region

The Western Province is considered the recognized leader of the country in terms of the beauty of its shores and wealth underwater world. The largest among the provinces of the archipelago, it occupies 8,573 square kilometers (the islands of Vella Lavella, New Georgia and about fifty small islets and reefs), and only 19% of the population lives here. Often referred to simply as West (“West”), it attracts many extreme sports enthusiasts and aquatic species recreation, it is also, perhaps, the most developed region of the country in terms of recreation infrastructure - about 16 completely modern resorts, clearly focused on diving, including one of the best in the country, Uepi Island Resort in the famous Marovo Lagoon.

The largest salt lagoon in the world (its dimensions are approximately 150 by 96 km), Marovo is located on the island of New Georgia, north of Vangunu Island (essentially a strait between these two islands, transformed by the growth of coral reefs into an intermittent ring of land surrounding a central lagoon). This huge expanse of water, with a narrow strip of coral beaches along its entire perimeter and amazingly blue water, is a candidate for inclusion in the List World Heritage UNESCO. Literally thousands of islands line the Marovo Lagoon, from tiny coral reefs to massive volcanic rocks up to 1600 meters high, with many still showing signs of active activity. volcanic activity, but quite accessible for visiting. Marovo Lagoon - the best place for relaxation by the sea, it is a unique combination of the scenic beauty of wildlife and the rich traditions of the local people (the shores of the lagoon are inhabited by two separate tribes - the Marovo and the Roviana). Noteworthy resorts are Matikuri Resort, Rogosakena Eco Resort and Uepi Island Resort, as well as a site of a traditional village World Heritage, considered the best tourist village in the country. Logging is limited here in order to preserve the unique composition of flora and fauna inherent in this area, excellent conditions for sea fishing have been created (the lagoon is connected with open sea with almost a hundred passages in the reefs, so the species composition of its inhabitants is more than impressive), and the traditional crafts of local residents made of wood and shells are widely known far beyond the country’s borders.

The second largest city in the archipelago is Guizot situated on island of the same name(approximately 370 km from Honiara), on the shores of the Wona Wona Lagoon, and is considered the capital of the Western Region and one of the most popular resort areas in the country. Its snow-white isolated shores and beaches, numerous coral islands and atolls literally rising from the depths of the ocean, traditional villages and excellent conditions for sea fishing, snorkeling and diving have created considerable fame among fans of outdoor activities. At the same time, the island itself is not very different in its level of development from what the fighting parties saw during the Battle of Guadalcanal. In Gizo, you can rent a private boat and explore the magnificent coral reefs Vona Vona lagoons or New Georgia, dive to numerous ships and aircraft that were lost in these waters during the last war, climb Kolombangara volcano(1770 m), and also see the megapod - ancient shrine local tribes, crocodile farm, pile village Nusambaruku or attend a dance festival in Mbangopingo.

A favorite, albeit rather unsophisticated, point of attraction for most tourists is the island Plum Pudding, or Kennedy Island, which became famous after the sinking of the torpedo boat PT-109 in August 1943, commanded by the future US President John F. Kennedy - he and his crew escaped on this tiny piece of land (now annual competitions are held in his honor swimmers for the JFK Trophy). You can also take a tour to a small fishing village Malaita, inhabited by people from other regions of Oceania, is an excellent opportunity to observe different cultures that have coexisted peacefully for many centuries just minutes away from each other. However, most of the local villages here can only be reached by boat or along narrow, often almost impassable roads under the canopy of dense forest.

Choiseul region

The island of Choiseul, or Lauroux, was only recently (1995) separated from the Western Province into a separate administrative region. Its population is also heterogeneous, as in other parts of the country - about 16 thousand Melanesians live in the western half of the main island, and immigrants from the Gilbert Islands (about 2 thousand people) live in the east and north. Most of the coast of Choiseul is an extremely narrow strip, bounded on the land by mountain ranges and jungle, and on the sea by large shallow swamps and literally a wall of moisture-loving vegetation. Therefore, it is quite difficult to explore it, and all excursions are conducted either along the Bay of Choiseul, the Sui River with its waterfalls and the tiny capital Kumbakale, near which the shores are more favorable for movement, or by sea - in the form of a week-long cruise along the shores of the island with visits to local villages and diving (however, apart from good reefs, there is nothing remarkable here - the fighting of World War II took place much to the southeast of this region ).

Isabel Region

Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendaña da Neira discovered the island of Santa Isabel in February 1568 and set foot in what is now Estrella Bay. Almost 75% of the local population, mostly Melanesians belonging to six tribal groups, live in the southeastern part of the island. The longest island of the archipelago, Santa Isabel is still quite unexplored, which is greatly facilitated by the almost complete absence of roads (the only section worthy of the name of a road stretches from the island's capital Buala to the village of Kaevanga on south coast), so all movements between settlements The islands are led by the sea. There is also a center for excursion activities, the most popular object of which is the island Arnavon(Amavon), also known as "Turtle Island" because it is the natural breeding area for the rare species of hawksbill sea ​​turtles. None of the almost one hundred islands and reefs of the Arnavon group, stretching between Santa Isabel and Rob Roy Island, is permanently inhabited, many are only a couple of tens of centimeters above sea level, so this area also boasts unrivaled fishing. In 1991, it was created here Arnavon Marine Nature Reserve, whose zone stretches from the coast of Santa Isabel to Choiseul. When visiting the park, visitors are accompanied by a whole staff of specially trained guides from among residents of local villages (2 people from each community), monitoring only the behavior of tourists and monitoring the life of turtles - the local population is so vulnerable and has not yet fully recovered after many years of extermination of these unique animals, that such behavior of staff is simply necessary.

Also noteworthy is the pile village Kia in the north of the island, all movement on which is by canoe, and the southwestern island San Jorge(San Jorge is known in local mythology as the habitat of the spirits of the dead - various strange phenomena are indeed not uncommon here). Most local villages have good mini-hotels with excellent service by local standards and level of income, and the main souvenir from these places is fabric made from tapa bark (paper mulberry), dyed blue with the juice of local orchids.

Makira Region

The southeasternmost region of Solomon includes the islands of Makira (San Cristobal), Ulawa, Uki-Ni-Masi, Owaraha (Santa Ana), Owariki (Santa Catalina) and a dozen other small patches of land stretching towards Vanuatu . Quite compact island group(all islands are located at a distance of about 35-38 km from each other, with the exception of Ulava, which lies 75 km south of San Cristobal) covers an area of ​​​​about 3188 sq. km and is populated by 30 thousand people (two thirds of them live on the northern coast of San Cristobal). The mountainous (up to 1040 m on San Cristobal) and heavily swampy islands are literally dissected by rivers and streams (almost every 2-5 km a watercourse flows into the sea), considered the “wettest” in the country. Since the islands were isolated from the outside world for a long time, many relict forms of plants and animals have been preserved here, the same applies to people - the Bauro tribal group is considered by scientists to be one of the most isolated and conservative ethnic groups in the region.

The main fame of the islands came from local masters of folk dances - almost every village here has its own troupes, widely known far beyond the Solomon Islands. The most colorful dance performances with almost complete preservation of ancient traditions can be seen in Star Harbor, in the village Natangera, on islands Owaraha (Santa Ana), Owariki (Santa Catalina), Tri-Sister And Ulava. Here you can also purchase handicrafts and crafts. And in the mountainous areas of San Cristobal, replete with caves and extremely inaccessible, according to local residents, “gnomes” still live Pacific Ocean" - a short race of "kakamora", to which all sorts of mythical properties are attributed.

Temotu Region

Formerly called the Eastern Outer Islands, the Temotu region covers an area of ​​926 square kilometers. km (islands) and 150 thousand sq. km of ocean in the easternmost part of the Solomon Islands. This vast archipelago of widely scattered islands is separated from the main group of the country by the Torres Basin with depths of up to 600 m. The three groups of volcanic islands included in the region (Santa Cruz, Tinakula and Utupua) are surrounded by low coral atolls of the nearby Reef Islands and located on the very east isolated extinct volcanoes Duff, Tikopia and Anua Islands. This area is virtually untouched by modern civilization, and the islanders who inhabit it differ in origin from the inhabitants of the rest of the Solomon Islands. The only attractions here are active volcanoes islands Tinakula, colorful rituals of local tribes (characteristically, as monetary unit bunches of red tropical bird feathers are still used here - one of the most unusual currencies on the planet), the village Bola on Santa Cruz with its unusual population, in whose veins flows the blood of Spanish sailors from the ships of Alvaro de Mendaña (it is here that the navigator himself and 47 members of his crew are buried), as well as a beautiful bay Graciosa.

Rennell and Bellona region (Renbel)

The southernmost island group, designated as an independent region in 1995, Rennell and Bellona lies south of Guadalcanal and southwest of Makira. These remote atolls were discovered by merchant captain Matthew Boyd in 1793. Now this area, covering an area of ​​671 square meters. km and inhabited by only 2.5 thousand people, is one of the natural reserves of nature and Polynesian traditions. The capital of the region is a town Tigoa lies on the island of Rennell, or Mu-Nggawa, as the islanders themselves call it, and Bellona, ​​or Mu-Ngiki, is widely known as the land of excellent carpenters and woodcarvers.

Island Rennell considered the largest elevated atoll on the planet (86x15 km), but the main feature of its uniqueness is that it occupies almost the entire southern part elongated lake Tengano - the largest freshwater lake in the South Pacific Ocean (now its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares), on which there was room for 200 islands, and for large bird colonies, and for many rare species of flora, primarily orchids. It is not difficult to guess that during the era of the formation of the island, the lake was a vast lagoon, which, as the surrounding land rose above the water, gradually became desalinated, although the water still remains slightly brackish. Therefore, now here you can find completely unique species that once sea ​​fish, transformed by nature into freshwater (the only analogue is Lake Titicaca in the South American Andes). Because of its unique natural conditions and specific ecology East End The islands, together with Lake Tengano, were declared a National Wildlife Park (area 37 thousand hectares), subsequently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Noticeably smaller and quieter Bellona(Mu-Ngiki) lies north-west of Rennell and has rich phosphate deposits, as well as many habitable caves of the region's earliest inhabitants, the legendary Hiti people. Here you can also see a specific folk form of wrestling - hetakai, which has existed on the islands for at least the last 600 years.

The Solomon Islands are a country located in Melanesia, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. It consists of 992 islands.

In 1568, the Spanish traveler A. Mendaña de Neira discovered these islands. The navigator managed to exchange a lot of gold from local residents. And he gave the name to the Solomon Islands in honor magical land Ophir, where, according to legend, King Solomon hid his treasures.

For the next two centuries, Europeans did not visit here. Only in 1767 the islands were discovered a second time by the Englishman F. Carteret.

Since the 1860s Europeans began to actively develop the territory of the Solomon Islands. The Aborigines quickly realized the danger posed by the white man and killed any European who set foot on their land. That is why the Solomon Islands at that time had a reputation as the most hostile islands in the Pacific Ocean.

In 1893, the islands came under British rule. And from the beginning of the 20th century, the British created the first coconut palm plantations here.

During World War II, part of the islands was captured by the Japanese. Bloody battles were fought here for a long time, and many warships sank.

The Solomon Islands gained independence only in 1978.

The ethnic composition of the islands' population is heterogeneous. The majority are Melanesians (more than 90%), followed by Polynesians (3%), Micronesians (1.2%), Europeans and Chinese.

Holidays in the Solomon Islands are suitable primarily for those who want to enjoy the untouched nature of this region, as well as extreme sports enthusiasts, lovers of diving, snorkeling and fishing.

Climate and weather

The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial, very humid and hot. The thermometer does not fall below +21 °C in winter, but in summer the temperature often exceeds +30 °C. Winter falls here from April to November. This is a dry season, characterized by cool (+23...+27 °C) weather. The time from December to March is called the wet season. The air temperature reaches its maximum and humidity rises to 90%. Rainfall varies depending on the region of the archipelago.

IN summer time Hurricane-force winds are possible, but here they are not as destructive as east of the Solomon Islands.

The most favorable time to travel to the Solomon Islands is June - December. At this time there is no sweltering heat, and in June-August various festivals and celebrations are held.

Nature

About 80% of the islands are covered with dense equatorial forests (ficus, palm trees); dry places are characterized by savannas; mangrove forests and swamps grow on the coasts.

The flora of the Solomon Islands is represented by more than 4,500 plant species, including more than 200 species of orchids alone. You can often find sumai, nalato, and hibiscus.

The fauna of the islands is also diverse: crocodiles, snakes, lizards, rats, bats, parrots, wild pigeons and others. You can often see rare giant butterflies here. The coastal waters are home to green turtles, tuna, dolphins, barracuda, sharks and many other species of fish.

The Solomon Islands are also rich in minerals: silver, gold, copper, nickel.

In the east O. Rennell created with the support of UNESCO National Park wildlife.

The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. Most high point country is the peak Popomanaseu (Guadalcanal Island). Its height reaches 2335 meters.

Attractions

The Solomon Islands attract tourists, first of all, for their naturalness and lack of desire to create something specifically for tourists. They offer relaxation in natural conditions, and this is why the islands are valuable for the traveler.

Traveling around the islands usually starts from the capital of the state - Honiara. Here is a place called Point Cruz. According to legend, a Spaniard first landed here Mendana and erected a cross in honor of the discovery of the island.

It will also be interesting to visit the National Museum, Parliament, Botanical Gardens, colorful Chinatown.

Just a few kilometers from the capital are famous waterfalls Mataniko. The water falls into a cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites, after which it disappears into the bowels of the island.

A trip to the lagoon will be unforgettable Marovo. Here is the best tourist village in the country - World Heritage. The state, trying to preserve the unique flora and fauna of this place, limited logging. Local residents receive their main income from tourism.

Village Nusambaruku (Gizo Island)- an example of a traditional isolated village. It consists of several buildings that are located high on stilts. The village can only be reached by boat or along a narrow dam.

Islands Anarvon are located 280 km from the capital. This is a group of 100 islands, none of which are permanently inhabited, and many of them protrude only 20-30 cm above the sea, but this place is famous for being home to rare sea turtles. A natural reserve was organized here: several dozen specially trained people monitor the safety of turtles’ lives and accompany tourists.

The Western Province is famous for the beauty and richness of the underwater world. Fans of extreme sports and water sports flock here. The most comfortable resorts are also located here.

The lagoon can rightly be called the pearl of the Western Province Marovo. This is the largest salt lagoon in the world (150 by 96 kilometers). Thousands of islands and coral reefs surround the lagoon.

Almost the entire southern part O. Rennell occupies the lake Tengano. It is the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific region. The lake and surrounding areas form a National Wildlife Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Nutrition

The cuisine of the Solomon Islands is a mixture of culinary traditions South-East Asia, Europe and Oceania countries. It is characterized by the use of yams and colocasia leaves, tapioca (obtained from the roots of the cassava plant), and coconut. Chefs at local restaurants mix ingredients in random order and often create new, unique dishes.

Food is often cooked in special earthen ovens called umu. Meat and fish are usually baked over coals with little spice.

In addition to Melanesian and Polynesian dishes, European and Asian dishes are excellently prepared here. Moreover, they are no different from similar dishes prepared in Beijing or London.

Honiara has several European, Chinese and even Japanese restaurants. All of them are popular with tourists and locals.

The choice of drinks here is huge: local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as wines and beer imported from Chile, China, New Zealand.

Accommodation

Poorly developed in the Solomon Islands tourism infrastructure. Comfortable accommodation is provided only on the largest islands of the archipelago: Guadalcanal, Hueli, Mangalonga, Gizo.

The hotels on these islands are something of a resort complexes, where tennis courts, swimming pools, and children's playgrounds are located. This could be several colorful eco-huts or bungalows.

Prices range from $30–$150 per night.

Before checking in, be sure to check if there are mosquito nets in your room: the local insects can be dangerous.

IN Honiara, right on the beach, the most modern and prestigious hotel in the country is located - Heritage Park. To fully enjoy the nature of the Pacific coast, you can rent an apartment at the hotel. An excellent double room will cost you $300 per night.

Outside the capital and others major cities It is possible to stay directly in the homes of local residents. In this case, payment is agreed upon in advance (guide the amount around $12–20 per day). Housing is often paid for with food.

Entertainment and relaxation

The underwater world of the Solomon Islands literally attracts extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Sunken ships and planes, coral reefs, and a variety of underwater inhabitants allow you to fully enjoy diving and snorkeling.

Good area for snorkeling O. Guadalcanal. About 50 huge warships are buried in these waters. In most cases, they are located at a depth to which scuba diving is prohibited. However, the transparency of the water and the features of the bottom topography make it possible to see details without deep immersion.

Island Savo called a paradise for divers. The island, which is of volcanic origin, is constantly shrouded in clouds. There are no comfortable conditions for tourists here, but all this is more than compensated for by the abundance of sunken ships, many hot mineral springs, and crystal clear water.

The most picturesque reefs can be seen near the lagoon Marovo, nearby islands Tavanipulu And Arnavon.

Diving in the Solomon Islands cannot be called a cheap pleasure. For one dive you will have to pay from $50–70.

Another way to spend time on the islands is fishing. The local waters are known for the variety of species of fish and marine animals. Some travel agencies organize entire fish tours to Lola Island, to the lagoons Marovo And Wona-Wona.

Those wishing to get acquainted with the strange and charming rituals of the local residents simply need to visit the outskirts of the city Auki(100 km from Honiara). Here you will witness a most dangerous ritual. "shark challenge". Local sorcerers somehow manage to put the shark to sleep right in the water, and then manually raise it to the surface.

Center for cultural life of the state - Honiara. The Queen's Birthday is celebrated here on the second Friday of June. The celebration is accompanied by a police parade, dancing and sports competitions. On July 7, the whole country celebrates Independence Day.

If you find yourself in the Solomon Islands in mid-December, you can take part in the Western Seas Festival. At this time, numerous fishing competitions, canoe races and other competitions take place.

There are many good hiking trails in the Solomon Islands. Trekking enthusiasts will be pleased with the walking tour routes organized from Honiara to the waterfalls Mataniko, from Guizot before Titians.

Purchases

Large shops and supermarkets are concentrated in the capital of the Solomon Islands. Prices for imported goods are very high.

When purchasing food products, carefully monitor the shelf life: often the goods take a long time to travel from Singapore, China and other countries and spoil on the way.

Prices in stores on the islands are not regulated by the state, so do not be surprised if the cost of the same goods in neighboring stores differs significantly.

Be sure to visit the colorful markets of the country. Here you can buy all kinds of vegetables and tropical fruits, fresh fish, shells, and handicrafts. Markets are open throughout the week. Remember that bargaining is not encouraged here.

You can bring wooden figurines as a souvenir from the Solomon Islands self made, which symbolize peace and tranquility.

Ritual wooden balls are very popular among tourists. According to legend, with their help you can summon the spirit of a deceased ancestor and ask for advice.

Local hand-painted wooden masks are also unusual. They, according to popular belief, give strength and dexterity to their owner and protect against evil spirits.

A good gift would be brooches, keychains, beads, bracelets made of shells and corals.

Some goods (especially handmade goods) have two different prices: the first for local residents, the second for tourists.

Transport

international Airport Henderson Field is located 11 km from the capital and is named after the US major who died in the Battle of Midway. For the runway, which later became the airport, there were hot battles between the Japanese and the Americans. The airport is small, but there is everything you need: taxi, car rental, ATM and exchange office. There are also about 30 small airports on the islands that serve local flights.

Only 2% of all roads in the Solomon Islands are paved. Most of the roads belong to private plantation owners.

The most common transport that allows you to move from island to island is a ferry, or, as the locals call it, a water taxi. You will get a lot of impressions from sea ​​travel. In most cases sea ​​transport does not obey any schedule, the fare is quite low.

The most convenient way to get around in Honiara is by taxi. You can “vote” on the street or call him in advance. Taxi cost is $1.5 per kilometer.

There are few buses in the capital; the most common form of transport here is minibuses; the ticket price is $0.4.

You can also rent a car. But drivers should be especially careful: the roads outside Honiara are in poor condition.

Connection

In the Solomon Islands, standard cellular communications GSM 900. The level of communication is not very high yet. The only mobile operator Solomon Telekom provides good reception only in the area of ​​Honiara, Auki, Gizo. In other areas, coverage is partial.

While on the islands, you can either buy a SIM card from a local operator or rent a phone.

There are about 300 payphones in the country, and almost all of them are concentrated in Honiara, near banks, large shops and hotels. To use a payphone, you need to buy a prepaid card. It is sold in stores, kiosks, and communication shops.

If you need to make an international call, it is better to use the services Solomon Telekom. The company's offices operate around the clock and are located in the capital, in many provincial centers, and in all major hotels.

Internet connectivity is available in Honiara and some provinces. There is a whole network of Internet cafes in the capital. The Wi-Fi network has just begun its development. Trial sites are only open in Honiara and Gizo.

Safety

Residents of the Solomon Islands are quite friendly towards tourists. Thefts are here a rare event, but in places large cluster people beware of pickpockets. Do not leave valuables and documents unattended, and do not visit isolated areas alone.

It is recommended to visit picturesque local settlements only with experienced guides who will tell you about certain features of local traditions. To avoid omissions and insults from the natives, it is necessary to obtain consent before visiting their home.

Property rights are very important to Melanesians. A tree, flower or fruit in the vicinity of a populated area may well belong to one of the residents. Therefore, in order not to provoke a conflict, do not tear anything without permission.

Be careful with your clothing: swimsuits and shorts are only allowed on the beach; in other cases, you need to hide your body as much as possible.

Local water can be hazardous to health, so drink only boiled or bottled water. Milk, meat, and fish can be eaten only after heat treatment. Wash vegetables and peel fruits thoroughly.

The danger is fraught with animal world islands. Scorpions, Javan centipedes, blood-sucking insects, poisonous fish and snakes, some reptiles, and forest ants can pose a threat not only to health, but also to life. To avoid meeting them, move around the islands (especially the jungle) only accompanied by an experienced guide.

Business climate

The economy of the Solomon Islands has recently developed rapidly and offers good business opportunities in areas such as mining, tourism infrastructure, agricultural industry, fishing, and forestry.

Resident companies (shareholders who have voting rights and are residents of the islands) pay 30% tax on profits from any source, regardless of their location. Non-resident companies are subject to 35% tax on income received on the islands.

Real estate

Exotic nature, good climate, low prices explain the demand for real estate in the Solomon Islands. You won't see high-rise apartment buildings here. Most of the local population still lives in rural houses. Only in the capital there are luxurious modern buildings.

The law allows the purchase of real estate by foreigners. But for this you need documents confirming the legality of the transaction.

Buying property in the Solomon Islands is quite problematic. The fact is that 95% of all the islands' land belongs to indigenous peoples. For a foreign investor to buy a house, for example, it is necessary to conduct lengthy negotiations with members of various clans in order to find the owner of the land and agree on a deal. Usually such negotiations take a lot of time and there are no guarantees that everything will be resolved in your favor. Community lands are rarely sold. But it is possible to lease them for up to 75 years.

In the Solomon Islands, as in most other countries in Polynesia and Melanesia, it is not customary to leave a tip. According to local tradition, a tip is perceived as a gift and implies a gift in return. By smiling and saying “thank you,” you are fully expressing your gratitude for the services provided.

Currency can be exchanged at a bank, in large stores and restaurants, some hotels, and special exchange bureaus. There are also exchange machines in the capital, which are located mainly near bank offices. In the provinces, the easiest way to exchange currency is at branches National Bank of the Solomon Islands. They are located in shops and post offices.

You can pay in Honiara credit card, in the provinces - cash only.

Often, especially in the southern regions of the islands, US and Australian dollars are accepted for payment.

Jewelry and gold must be declared upon entry.

The export and import of items of historical value is prohibited: products made of coral, skins of tropical animals, bird feathers, sea turtle shells.

When planning a trip, make sure that your first aid kit has all the necessary medications. In the Solomon Islands it may be difficult to purchase them.

The Solomon Islands are a country located in Melanesia, in the southwestern part of the Pacific Ocean. It consists of 992 islands.

In 1568, the Spanish traveler A. Mendaña de Neira discovered these islands. The navigator managed to exchange a lot of gold from local residents. And he gave the name to the Solomon Islands in honor of the magical country Ophir, where, according to legend, King Solomon hid his treasures.

For the next two centuries, Europeans did not visit here. Only in 1767 the islands were discovered a second time by the Englishman F. Carteret.

Since the 1860s Europeans began to actively develop the territory of the Solomon Islands. The Aborigines quickly realized the danger posed by the white man and killed any European who set foot on their land. That is why the Solomon Islands at that time had a reputation as the most hostile islands in the Pacific Ocean.

In 1893, the islands came under British rule. And from the beginning of the 20th century, the British created the first coconut palm plantations here.

During World War II, part of the islands was captured by the Japanese. Bloody battles were fought here for a long time, and many warships sank.

The Solomon Islands gained independence only in 1978.

The ethnic composition of the islands' population is heterogeneous. The majority are Melanesians (more than 90%), followed by Polynesians (3%), Micronesians (1.2%), Europeans and Chinese.

Holidays in the Solomon Islands are suitable primarily for those who want to enjoy the untouched nature of this region, as well as extreme sports enthusiasts, lovers of diving, snorkeling and fishing.

Capital	Honiara
Population	478,000 people
Population density	17 people/km²
	English
Religion	Christianity (97%)
Form of government	a constitutional monarchy
	Solomon Islands dollar
Timezone
International dialing code
Domain zone
Electricity

Climate and weather

The climate of the Solomon Islands is subequatorial, very humid and hot. The thermometer does not fall below +21 °C in winter, but in summer the temperature often exceeds +30 °C. Winter falls here from April to November. This is a dry season, characterized by cool (+23...+27 °C) weather. The time from December to March is called the wet season. The air temperature reaches its maximum and humidity rises to 90%. Rainfall varies depending on the region of the archipelago.

Hurricane winds are possible in the summer, but here they are not as destructive as east of the Solomon Islands.

The most favorable time to travel to the Solomon Islands is June - December. At this time there is no sweltering heat, and in June-August various festivals and celebrations are held.

Nature

About 80% of the islands are covered with dense equatorial forests (ficus, palm trees); dry places are characterized by savannas; mangrove forests and swamps grow on the coasts.

The flora of the Solomon Islands is represented by more than 4,500 plant species, including more than 200 species of orchids alone. You can often find sumai, nalato, and hibiscus.

The fauna of the islands is also diverse: crocodiles, snakes, lizards, rats, bats, parrots, wild pigeons and others. You can often see rare giant butterflies here. The coastal waters are home to green turtles, tuna, dolphins, barracuda, sharks and many other species of fish.

The Solomon Islands are also rich in minerals: silver, gold, copper, nickel.

In the east O. Rennell The National Wildlife Park was created with the support of UNESCO.

The Solomon Islands are of volcanic origin. The highest point in the country is the peak Popomanaseu (Guadalcanal Island). Its height reaches 2335 meters.

Attractions

The Solomon Islands attract tourists, first of all, for their naturalness and lack of desire to create something specifically for tourists. They offer relaxation in natural conditions, and this is why the islands are valuable for the traveler.

Traveling around the islands usually starts from the capital of the state - Honiara. Here is a place called Point Cruz. According to legend, a Spaniard first landed here Mendana and erected a cross in honor of the discovery of the island.

It will also be interesting to visit the National Museum, Parliament, Botanical Gardens, colorful Chinatown.

Just a few kilometers from the capital are the famous waterfalls Mataniko. The water falls into a cave filled with stalagmites and stalactites, after which it disappears into the bowels of the island.

A trip to the lagoon will be unforgettable Marovo. Here is the best tourist village in the country - World Heritage. The state, trying to preserve the unique flora and fauna of this place, limited logging. Local residents receive their main income from tourism.

Village Nusambaruku (Gizo Island) is an example of a traditional isolated village. It consists of several buildings that are located high on stilts. The village can only be reached by boat or along a narrow dam.

Islands Anarvon are located 280 km from the capital. This is a group of 100 islands, none of which are permanently inhabited, and many of them protrude only 20-30 cm above the sea, but this place is famous for being home to rare sea turtles. A natural reserve was organized here: several dozen specially trained people monitor the safety of turtles’ lives and accompany tourists.

The Western Province is famous for the beauty and richness of the underwater world. Fans of extreme sports and water sports flock here. The most comfortable resorts are also located here.

The lagoon can rightly be called the pearl of the Western Province Marovo. This is the largest salt lagoon in the world (150 by 96 kilometers). Thousands of islands and coral reefs surround the lagoon.

Almost the entire southern part O. Rennell occupies the lake Tengano. It is the largest freshwater lake in the Pacific region. The lake and surrounding areas form a National Wildlife Park, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Nutrition

The cuisine of the Solomon Islands is a mixture of culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, Europe and Oceania. It is characterized by the use of yams and colocasia leaves, tapioca (obtained from the roots of the cassava plant), and coconut. Chefs at local restaurants mix ingredients in random order and often create new, unique dishes.

Food is often cooked in special earthen ovens called umu. Meat and fish are usually baked over coals with little spice.

In addition to Melanesian and Polynesian dishes, European and Asian dishes are excellently prepared here. Moreover, they are no different from similar dishes prepared in Beijing or London.

Honiara has several European, Chinese and even Japanese restaurants. All of them are popular with tourists and locals.

The choice of drinks here is huge: local alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, as well as wines and beer imported from Chile, China, New Zealand.

Accommodation

The Solomon Islands has a poorly developed tourism infrastructure. Comfortable accommodation is provided only on the largest islands of the archipelago: Guadalcanal, Hueli, Mangalonga, Gizo.

The hotels on these islands are something like resort complexes with tennis courts, swimming pools, and children's playgrounds. This could be several colorful eco-huts or bungalows.

Prices range from $30-150 per night.

Before checking in, be sure to check if there are mosquito nets in your room: the local insects can be dangerous.

IN Honiara, right on the beach, the most modern and prestigious hotel in the country is located - Heritage Park. To fully enjoy the nature of the Pacific coast, you can rent an apartment at the hotel. An excellent double room will cost you $300 per night.

Outside the capital and other large cities, it is possible to stay directly in the homes of local residents. In this case, payment is agreed upon in advance (guide the amount around $12-20 per day). Housing is often paid for with food.

Entertainment and relaxation

The underwater world of the Solomon Islands literally attracts extreme sports enthusiasts from all over the world. Sunken ships and planes, coral reefs, and a variety of underwater inhabitants allow you to fully enjoy diving and snorkeling.

Good area for snorkeling O. Guadalcanal. About 50 huge warships are buried in these waters. In most cases, they are located at a depth to which scuba diving is prohibited. However, the transparency of the water and the features of the bottom topography make it possible to see details without deep immersion.

Island Savo called a paradise for divers. The island, which is of volcanic origin, is constantly shrouded in clouds. There are no comfortable conditions for tourists here, but all this is more than compensated for by the abundance of sunken ships, many hot mineral springs, and crystal clear water.

The most picturesque reefs can be seen near the lagoon Marovo, nearby islands Tavanipulu And Arnavon.

Diving in the Solomon Islands cannot be called a cheap pleasure. For one dive you will have to pay from $50-70.

Another way to spend time on the islands is fishing. The local waters are known for the variety of species of fish and marine animals. Some travel agencies organize entire fish tours to Lola Island, to the lagoons Marovo And Wona-Wona.

Those wishing to get acquainted with the strange and charming rituals of the local residents simply need to visit the outskirts of the city Auki(100 km from Honiara). Here you will witness a most dangerous ritual. "shark challenge". Local sorcerers somehow manage to put the shark to sleep right in the water, and then manually raise it to the surface.

Center for cultural life of the state - Honiara. The Queen's Birthday is celebrated here on the second Friday of June. The celebration is accompanied by a police parade, dancing and sports competitions. On July 7, the whole country celebrates Independence Day.

If you find yourself in the Solomon Islands in mid-December, you can take part in the Western Seas Festival. At this time, numerous fishing competitions, canoe races and other competitions take place.

There are many good hiking trails in the Solomon Islands. Trekking enthusiasts will be pleased with the walking tour routes organized from Honiara to the waterfalls Mataniko, from Guizot before Titians.

Purchases

Large shops and supermarkets are concentrated in the capital of the Solomon Islands. Prices for imported goods are very high.

When purchasing food products, carefully monitor the shelf life: often the goods take a long time to travel from Singapore, China and other countries and spoil on the way.

Prices in stores on the islands are not regulated by the state, so do not be surprised if the cost of the same goods in neighboring stores differs significantly.

Be sure to visit the colorful markets of the country. Here you can buy all kinds of vegetables and tropical fruits, fresh fish, shells, and handicrafts. Markets are open throughout the week. Remember that bargaining is not encouraged here.

As a souvenir from the Solomon Islands, you can bring handmade wooden figurines that symbolize peace and tranquility.

Ritual wooden balls are very popular among tourists. According to legend, with their help you can summon the spirit of a deceased ancestor and ask for advice.

Local hand-painted wooden masks are also unusual. They, according to popular belief, give strength and dexterity to their owner and protect against evil spirits.

A good gift would be brooches, keychains, beads, bracelets made of shells and corals.

Some goods (especially handmade goods) have two different prices: the first for local residents, the second for tourists.

Transport

international Airport Henderson Field is located 11 km from the capital and is named after a US major who died in the Battle of Midway. For the runway, which later became the airport, there were hot battles between the Japanese and the Americans. The airport is small, but there is everything you need: taxi, car rental, ATM and exchange office. There are also about 30 small airports on the islands that serve local flights.

Only 2% of all roads in the Solomon Islands are paved. Most of the roads belong to private plantation owners.

The most common transport that allows you to move from island to island is a ferry, or, as the locals call it, a water taxi. You will get a lot of impressions from your sea voyage. In most cases, sea transport does not follow any schedule, and the fare is quite low.

The most convenient way to get around in Honiara is by taxi. You can “vote” on the street or call him in advance. Taxi cost is $1.5 per kilometer.

There are few buses in the capital; the most common form of transport here is minibuses; the ticket price is $0.4.

You can also rent a car. But drivers should be especially careful: the roads outside Honiara are in poor condition.

Connection

In the Solomon Islands, standard cellular communications GSM 900. The level of communication is not very high yet. The only mobile operator Solomon Telekom provides good reception only in the area of ​​Honiara, Auki, Gizo. In other areas, coverage is partial.

While on the islands, you can either buy a SIM card from a local operator or rent a phone.

There are about 300 payphones in the country, and almost all of them are concentrated in Honiara, near banks, large shops and hotels. To use a payphone, you need to buy a prepaid card. It is sold in stores, kiosks, and communication shops.

If you need to make an international call, it is better to use the services Solomon Telekom. The company's offices operate around the clock and are located in the capital, in many provincial centers, and in all major hotels.

Internet connectivity is available in Honiara and some provinces. There is a whole network of Internet cafes in the capital. The Wi-Fi network has just begun its development. Trial sites are only open in Honiara and Gizo.

Safety

Residents of the Solomon Islands are quite friendly towards tourists. Theft is rare here, but in crowded areas, beware of pickpockets. Do not leave valuables and documents unattended, and do not visit isolated areas alone.

It is recommended to visit picturesque local settlements only with experienced guides who will tell you about certain features of local traditions. To avoid omissions and insults from the natives, it is necessary to obtain consent before visiting their home.

Property rights are very important to Melanesians. A tree, flower or fruit in the vicinity of a populated area may well belong to one of the residents. Therefore, in order not to provoke a conflict, do not tear anything without permission.

Be careful with your clothing: swimsuits and shorts are only allowed on the beach; in other cases, you need to hide your body as much as possible.

Local water can be hazardous to health, so drink only boiled or bottled water. Milk, meat, and fish can be eaten only after heat treatment. Wash vegetables and peel fruits thoroughly.

The wildlife of the islands also poses danger. Scorpions, Javan centipedes, blood-sucking insects, poisonous fish and snakes, some reptiles, and forest ants can pose a threat not only to health, but also to life. To avoid meeting them, move around the islands (especially the jungle) only accompanied by an experienced guide.

Business climate

The economy of the Solomon Islands has recently developed rapidly and offers good business opportunities in areas such as mining, tourism infrastructure, agricultural industry, fishing, and forestry.

Resident companies (shareholders who have voting rights and are residents of the islands) pay 30% tax on profits from any source, regardless of their location. Non-resident companies are subject to 35% tax on income received on the islands.

Real estate

Exotic nature, good climate, low prices explain the demand for real estate in the Solomon Islands. You won't see high-rise apartment buildings here. Most of the local population still lives in rural houses. Only in the capital there are luxurious modern buildings.

The law allows the purchase of real estate by foreigners. But for this you need documents confirming the legality of the transaction.

Buying property in the Solomon Islands is quite problematic. The fact is that 95% of all the islands' land belongs to indigenous peoples. For a foreign investor to buy a house, for example, it is necessary to conduct lengthy negotiations with members of various clans in order to find the owner of the land and agree on a deal. Usually such negotiations take a lot of time and there are no guarantees that everything will be resolved in your favor. Community lands are rarely sold. But it is possible to lease them for up to 75 years.

In the Solomon Islands, as in most other countries in Polynesia and Melanesia, it is not customary to leave a tip. According to local tradition, a tip is perceived as a gift and implies a gift in return. By smiling and saying “thank you,” you are fully expressing your gratitude for the services provided.

Currency can be exchanged at a bank, in large stores and restaurants, some hotels, and special exchange bureaus. There are also exchange machines in the capital, which are located mainly near bank offices. In the provinces, the easiest way to exchange currency is at branches National Bank of the Solomon Islands. They are located in shops and post offices.

In Honiara you can pay by credit card, in the provinces you can only pay in cash.

Often, especially in the southern regions of the islands, US and Australian dollars are accepted for payment.

Jewelry and gold must be declared upon entry.

The export and import of items of historical value is prohibited: products made of coral, skins of tropical animals, bird feathers, sea turtle shells.

When planning a trip, make sure that your first aid kit has all the necessary medications. In the Solomon Islands it may be difficult to purchase them.

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ATTRACTIONS Like neighboring Vanuatu, this land, still almost isolated from the outside world, is an example of amazing natural contrasts and endless opportunities for various adventures, where almost impenetrable jungles, high mountain peaks, mighty volcanoes, countless atolls, pure mountain rivers with waterfalls coexist and blue lagoons. It is believed that no other Pacific archipelago has a more diverse nature with such a complex combination of geology and climatic conditions. The archipelago is practically untouched by tourism, since there are few people on Earth who want to visit this poor and isolated country. But many are drawn here by the genuine naturalness of everything they see or visit. There is practically nothing artificial or created specifically to please tourists, and the nature of the islands, called extraordinary without unnecessary exaggeration, gives them a reputation as perhaps one of the last places on the planet, as if specially designed for extreme types of recreation. There are truly unique conditions for diving, snorkeling, studying the history of the Second World War, ethnography, sailing and sport fishing. Guadalcanal The island of Guadalcanal, or Guadalcanal, is the largest piece of land in the Solomon Islands group (area 5302 sq. km). Rising from the depths of the ocean like some kind of prehistoric lizard, the mountainous and inhospitable island is almost entirely occupied by the slopes and peaks of ancient volcanoes (Mount Gallego, or Mount Gallego, Popomanaso, Makarakomburu, Tatuve, Kaichui - all of them have a height of 2 km or more) and is covered with a dense cover of tropical vegetation. Its mountainous terrain leaves no place for human habitation other than a very narrow coastal strip surrounding the entire island, only in the north, in the area of ​​Henderson Field (Henderson) and Honiara, which turns into a small plain. The southern coast is rocky and bears the semi-official name Weser Coast ("Weather Coast"), since people's lives here are entirely dependent on weather conditions. Swampy shores and a hot and humid climate make life on Guadalcanal extremely difficult, but it is here that about 40% of the country's population lives, the capital of the archipelago and its main administrative institutions are located. Honiara The capital of the islands is located on the northern shore of Guadalcanal, in a vast bay between the peninsulas of Cape Esperance and Lunga Point, in the very place that de Mendaña called Puento Cruz in his time. The small and quite picturesque seaport of Honiara traces its origins to a tiny fishing village, whose name Naho-ni-Ara can be translated as “the place where the east and southeast winds collide” (such “flowery” names are generally very typical for local dialects) . The city is very young - most of its modern buildings were built immediately after the end of World War II, when it was necessary to find a place for the new capital of the archipelago (Tulagi was badly damaged during the fighting, and the place was not chosen for it). In 1952, Honiara officially became the capital of the Solomon Islands. Honiara is perhaps the only more or less large populated area of ​​the archipelago - besides the fifty thousand local population concentrated on an area of ​​barely 1.5 square meters. km, residents of other islands constantly come here to shop, work and relax. Almost all of his life is in full swing along the Cookum Highway, connecting the Henderson Field area in the east with the White River town in the west. Along this route and the main street of the city, Mendana Avenue, which continues it (Mendana - this is how the islanders pronounce the name of the discoverer of their islands), almost all the main infrastructure facilities of the capital were built - the National Hospital, a complex of port facilities, a market and Chinatown, which was recently heavily damaged as a result of the riots. The National Parliament Building, opened in 1993, stands out from the surrounding buildings with its conical shape and is considered the center of Honiara. The restored old Government House is now home to the National Museum complex, with an extensive collection of the country's history and culture, and its park serves as a popular afternoon spot. Opposite stands the original building of the Solomon Kitano Mendana Hotel, and between it and the yacht club is the country's Tourist Office. Nearby are the National Archives and the Public Library behind the Public Works Department office. The large modern building of the Central Bank of the Solomon Islands has an original historical exhibition telling, as you might guess, the peculiarities of the local monetary system - traditional money for the countries of the region in the form of bunches of red feathers or cowrie shells is exhibited here, as well as a small exhibition of works by local wood carvers . A little further down Mendana Avenue, between the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) office and Rove Prison, the Honiara Botanic Gardens begin, famous for their collection of local plants (the gardens are quite small in size, and the collection looks modest at first glance, but to appreciate its significance , just imagine how much effort it would take to see all these orchids and vines in natural local conditions). Here, on Mendana Avenue, in a small park located almost opposite the Central Bank building, there is a Melanesian cultural village with its typical local buildings made of palm leaves and wicker mats. This colorful mini-museum specializes in demonstrating the traditions, rituals and crafts of various areas of the Solomon Islands. Around the capital East of Honiara there is a church school complex Beticama, widely known for its artisanal workshops (pottery, metal and woodwork, most of which can be purchased on site) and a small museum of World War II relics. There is a village nearby Tenaru, near which a sixty-meter waterfall of the same name roars. A village is located 7 km east of the capital Mavasere, considered the center of the Moro movement. A small museum is worth visiting here, designed to preserve the historical and spiritual values ​​of traditional local life. Even further east, between Guadalcanal and the tiny island of Tavanipupu, there are waters Marau Sound with their huge coral reefs, which are teeming with various marine life. 10 km from the capital lie the most beautiful “double-sided” Mataniko waterfalls. The waters of the river of the same name here fall from a high cliff directly into a cave filled with graceful stalactites and stalagmites, and then disappear somewhere in the bowels of the island. Around you can find many fairly large and, importantly, clean bodies of water suitable for swimming, and the cave itself is home to a large population of swallows and bats. During the Second World War, this cave served as a shelter for the last soldiers of the Japanese garrison of Guadalcanal, and its surroundings became the scene of fierce battles (according to various estimates, from 400 to 600 soldiers of the imperial army found their death in the cave itself, resisting literally to the last bullet). The battlefields of World War II in general are one of the main attractions of Guadalcanal in general and the surrounding area of ​​Honiara in particular. It was in these places that the most fierce battles raged between the Japanese garrison of the island and the US Marines, who outnumbered them several dozen times. Henderson Field International Airport itself (Henderson Field, named after a US Marine major who died during the Battle of Midway) traces its origins to a runway that the Japanese began to build and was completed by the Americans. It was for this piece of land that stubborn battles unfolded, during which both sides suffered the most significant losses (according to various estimates, from 24 to 38 thousand people on land alone). Therefore, it is not surprising that traces of that war are still found in abundance around the capital and the airport, and the nearby waters are literally littered with the wreckage of various military equipment. It is interesting that one of the straits leading to Guadalcanal still bears the quite official name of Iron Bottom (“Iron Bottom”), and the government of the Solomon Islands was even going to present an invoice to the United States and Japan for clearing it from the wreckage of ships and aircraft, until assessed the profits that can be made from visiting these places by tourists, as well as military history buffs and divers from these countries. On the Skyline Ridge and Mount Austin stands the American Memorial Park, detailing the battles for the island, as well as the Japanese Peace Memorial with its four white monoliths. From here there are organized tours to places whose names speak for themselves - the shores of Iron Bottom Sound, Bloody Ridge, Alligator Creek and Red Beach, the Poha River Japanese Memorial and its Vilu Village Museum (also dedicated to the history of the battles for Guadalcanal), Lunga Point and the Gulf Tetere. The southern coast (Weser Coast) is quite deserted and underdeveloped. Of all its attractions, only the town of Tulagi (not to be confused with the old capital of the archipelago on the island of Florida) can be noted with its handicrafts and good conditions for sea fishing, as well as the village of Komuvaulu - another center of the Moro movement with colorful local architecture and a tiny museum. And deep in the heart of the Guadalcanal rainforest, on the slopes of the Lhamas (Lamas) mountain range, roar the luxurious Vihona (Viona) waterfalls, which, unfortunately, are only accessible by helicopter. Central region Occupying an area of ​​about 1000 sq. km The central region lies around Guadalcanal and includes the islands of Savo, Russells, Nggela and the Florida group. Having once served as the center of the archipelago (the old capital of the Solomon Islands, the town of Tulagi, is located on the island of Florida), after World War II it practically lost its importance, since many infrastructure facilities were destroyed during the battles, and those that were built by the fighting armies were clearly temporary and quickly fell into disrepair. Therefore, most of the region’s modern attractions are associated either with traces of those battles, or with the sea and good local shores. Permanently cloud-shrouded volcanic island Savo, lying in the Iron Bottom Sound, is a paradise for divers and fans of other outdoor activities. The almost complete lack of infrastructure is compensated by an abundance of sunken ships (it was here that the famous Battle of Savo Island took place), a constantly smoking volcano crater and many practically boiling mineral springs, several ancient cult sites - megapodes, as well as a vibrant bird community and magnificent crystal clear waters. On Florida Island you can see the old headquarters of the British colonial administration with its hospital and headquarters, as well as the old Port Parvis, which served first as a base for the British Navy and then for the Imperial Japanese Navy. And the island of Anukha is widely known for its white sandy shores. Malaita Region The Eastern Province, named after the group's largest island, is the second largest and most densely populated of the Solomon Islands, although many of its inhabitants live not in large cities like Honiara or Gizo, but in villages and towns hidden in the jungle and on the islands. The large islands of Malaita are inhabited by Melanesians (about 96 thousand people), and on the atolls of Ontong Java (Lord Howe), Roncador, Cucumana and Sikaiana live Polynesian tribes (about 2 thousand people). It was these islands that made the maximum contribution to the reputation of Solomon as inhospitable islands, and for the same reason, it was here that ancient folk traditions and rituals were preserved to the greatest extent. A distinctive feature of the island of Malaita is the huge number of artificial islands, which since ancient times were built by local residents right on the atolls or rocky islets of lagoons. The lack of land suitable not only for cultivation, but simply for housing, forced the Malaitans from century to century to pour artificial shores from crushed coral or crushed stone between piles driven into the bottom, which the sea very quickly turned into a fairly strong monolith. Today, on these man-made islands, especially common in the lagoons of Langa Langa and Lau, about 12 thousand islanders from 15 tribal groups are concentrated, and in the mountainous regions of Malaita lives one of the last relict tribes of the planet - the Kwaio group. It is in these places that the ancient cult of shark worship has been preserved, which, according to local beliefs, is inhabited by the souls of ancestors. Local residents treat sharks with respect, and many of these ancient cartilaginous fish serve as totemic signs of tribes and clans. Sharks are worshiped in many areas of the Solomon Islands, but no island has more rituals and celebrations dedicated to this sea predator than the islands of Laulasi and Busu in the Langa Langa Lagoon, which lie 16 km from the island's capital Malaita. From Auki you can take a boat to the artificial islands of the lagoons and here witness the ancient ritual of the practice of “calling a shark” or a rather dangerous method of catching it, when a diver, armed only with a rag and a spear (or knife), enters into a one-on-one confrontation with this formidable sea ​​predator. Although more often tourists are shown an equally shocking spectacle of communication with a shark. Many locals tame sharks, from the smallest nurse sharks to the largest and most fearsome of them all. The practice of "summoning a shark" is the ancient art of luring a predator, and somehow local sorcerers manage to put the shark to sleep right in the water and then manually raise them to the surface! ! Knocking on stones in certain places underwater lures sharks to a depth of 30 cm, where a small boy (of course!!) gives the predator, who can bite him in half in the blink of an eye, a piece of pork, thanking her for the visit. The shark then continues to swim in circles around the lagoon, as if accepting a gift. This ritual was banned in the 1970s as extremely dangerous, but parts of this amazing custom are still practiced in many places. Since the pig meat used is black, black and red (the color of blood) colors are taboo on Laulasi and Busu (and many other islands in the area too), and visitors should take this into account when choosing clothing and jewelry for their trip. Small town Auki(population about 4 thousand people) has been the capital of the Malaita region since 1920. Until the 20s of the 20th century, the city had an impressive defensive wall along its entire perimeter, capable of holding off attacks from hostile local residents or even well-armed Europeans for quite a long time, which predetermined its choice as the capital. Today's Auki is perhaps the most photogenic city in the country and can boast a fairly decent selection of shops, hotels and restaurants for these places, plus good, even by local standards, cuisine. From here you can get to the village of Lilisana in the Langa Langa lagoon (it is believed that the inhabitants of this particular settlement invented the technology for making pile buildings and artificial islands), to the beautiful beaches of the lagoon itself, to the picturesque cultural villages of Alite, Anoano, Aofia, Aumea, Maeaena, Manaafe and Uru (prior appointment for a visit is required), as well as the already mentioned cultural village of Busu, which, in addition to rituals with sharks, can offer many other interesting rituals. Western region The Western province is considered the country's recognized leader in the beauty of its shores and the richness of the underwater world. The largest among the provinces of the archipelago, it occupies 8,573 square kilometers (the islands of Vella Lavella, New Georgia and about fifty small islets and reefs), and only 19% of the population lives here. Often called simply West (“West”) in conversations, it attracts many lovers of extreme sports and water sports; it is also, perhaps, the most developed region of the country in terms of recreation infrastructure - about 16 completely modern resorts have been built here, clearly focused on diving, including one of the best in the country, Uepi Island Resort in the famous Marovo lagoon. The largest salt lagoon in the world (its dimensions are approximately 150 by 96 km), Marovo is located on the island of New Georgia, north of Vangunu Island (essentially a strait between these two islands, transformed by the growth of coral reefs into an intermittent ring of land surrounding a central lagoon). This huge expanse of water, with a narrow strip of coral beaches along its entire perimeter and amazingly blue water, is a candidate for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Literally thousands of islands line the Marovo Lagoon, from tiny coral reefs to massive volcanic cliffs up to 1,600 meters high, with many still showing signs of active volcanic activity but quite accessible to visit. Marovo Lagoon, the best place to relax by the sea, is a unique combination of the scenic beauty of wildlife and the rich traditions of the local people (the shores of the lagoon are inhabited by two separate tribes - the Marovo and Roviana). Noteworthy are the Matikuri Resort, Rogosakena Eco Resort and Uepi Island Resort, as well as the World Heritage Village site, considered the best tourist village in the country. Logging is limited here in order to preserve the unique composition of flora and fauna inherent in this area, excellent conditions have been created for sea fishing (the lagoon is connected to the open sea by almost a hundred passages in the reefs, so the species composition of its inhabitants is more than impressive), and traditional crafts of local residents made from wood and shells are widely known far beyond the country's borders. The second largest city in the archipelago, Gizo, is located on the island of the same name (approximately 370 km from Honiara), on the shores of the Wona Wona lagoon, and is considered the capital of the Western Region and one of the most popular resort areas in the country. Its snow-white isolated shores and beaches, numerous coral islands and atolls literally rising from the depths of the ocean, traditional villages and excellent conditions for sea fishing, snorkeling and diving have created considerable fame among fans of outdoor activities. At the same time, the island itself is not very different in its level of development from what the fighting parties saw during the Battle of Guadalcanal. In Gizo, you can rent a private boat and explore the magnificent coral reefs of the Wona Wona or New Georgia lagoon, dive to numerous ships and aircraft lost in these waters during the last war, climb the Kolombangara volcano (1770 m), and see the megapod - an ancient shrine of local tribes, a crocodile farm, the pile village of Nusambaruku or attend a dance festival in Mbangopingo. A favorite, albeit rather unsophisticated, point of attraction for most tourists is Plum Pudding Island, or Kennedy Island, which gained its fame after the sinking of the torpedo boat PT-109 in August 1943, commanded by the future US President John F. Kennedy - he and his team escaped on this tiny piece of land (now the annual JFK Swimming Championships are held in his honor). You can also take an excursion to the small fishing village of Malaita, inhabited by people from other regions of Oceania - this is an excellent opportunity to observe different cultures that have coexisted peacefully for many centuries just minutes away from each other. However, most of the local villages here can only be reached by boat or along narrow, often almost impassable roads under the canopy of dense forest. Choiseul region The island of Choiseul, or Lauroux, was only recently (1995) separated from the Western Province into a separate administrative region. Its population is also heterogeneous, as in other parts of the country - about 16 thousand Melanesians live in the western half of the main island, and immigrants from the Gilbert Islands (about 2 thousand people) live in the east and north. Most of the coast of Choiseul is an extremely narrow strip, bounded on the land by mountain ranges and jungle, and on the sea by large shallow swamps and literally a wall of moisture-loving vegetation. Therefore, it is quite difficult to explore, and all excursions are carried out either along the Bay of Choiseul, the Sui River with its waterfalls and the tiny capital Kumbakale, near which the shores are more favorable for movement, or by sea - in the form of a week-long cruise along the shores of the island with visits to local villages and diving under water (however, apart from good reefs, there is nothing remarkable here - the fighting of World War II took place much to the southeast of this region). Isabel Region Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendaña da Neira discovered the island of Santa Isabel in February 1568 and set foot in what is now Estrella Bay. Almost 75% of the local population, mostly Melanesians belonging to six tribal groups, live in the southeastern part of the island. The longest island of the archipelago, Santa Isabel is still quite unexplored, which is greatly facilitated by the almost complete absence of roads (the only section worthy of the name of road stretches from the capital of the island of Buala to the village of Kaevanga on the southern coast), so all movements between the island's settlements conducted by sea. There is also a center for excursion activities, the most popular object of which is the island Arnavon(Amavon), also known as "Turtle Island" because it is the natural breeding area for the hawksbill sea turtle, the rarest of sea turtles. None of the group's nearly one hundred islands and reefs Arnavon, stretching between Santa Isabel and Rob Roy Island, is not permanently inhabited, many are only a couple of tens of centimeters above sea level, so this area can also boast of unrivaled fishing. In 1991, the Arnavon Marine Nature Reserve was created here, whose zone stretches from the coast of Santa Isabel to Choiseul. When visiting the park, visitors are accompanied by a whole staff of specially trained guides from among residents of local villages (2 people from each community), monitoring only the behavior of tourists and monitoring the life of turtles - the local population is so vulnerable and has not yet fully recovered after many years of extermination of these unique animals, that such behavior of staff is simply necessary. Also noteworthy are the piled village of Kia in the north of the island, all of which is traveled by canoe, and the southwestern island San Jorge(San Jorge is known in local mythology as the habitat of the spirits of the dead - various strange phenomena are indeed not uncommon here). Most local villages have good mini-hotels with excellent service by local standards and level of income, and the main souvenir from these places is fabric made from tapa bark (paper mulberry), dyed blue with the juice of local orchids. Makira Region The southeasternmost region of Solomon includes the islands of Makira (San Cristobal), Ulawa, Uki-Ni-Masi, Owaraha (Santa Ana), Owariki (Santa Catalina) and a dozen other small patches of land stretching towards Vanuatu . A fairly compact island group (all islands are located at a distance of about 35-38 km from each other, with the exception of Ulav, which lies 75 km south of San Cristobal) covers an area of ​​​​about 3188 square meters. km and is populated by 30 thousand people (two thirds of them live on the northern coast of San Cristobal). The mountainous (up to 1040 m on San Cristobal) and heavily swampy islands are literally dissected by rivers and streams (almost every 2-5 km a watercourse flows into the sea), considered the “wettest” in the country. Since the islands were isolated from the outside world for a long time, many relict forms of plants and animals have been preserved here, the same applies to people - the Bauro tribal group is considered by scientists to be one of the most isolated and conservative ethnic groups in the region. The main fame of the islands came from local masters of folk dances - almost every village here has its own troupes, widely known far beyond the Solomon Islands. The most colorful dance performances with almost complete preservation of ancient traditions can be seen in Star Harbor, in the village Natangera, on the islands of Owaraha (Santa Ana), Owariki (Santa Catalina), Three Sisters and Ulava. Here you can also purchase handicrafts and crafts. And in the mountainous regions of San Cristobal, replete with caves and extremely inaccessible, according to local residents, the “dwarves of the Pacific Ocean” still live - a short race of “cacamoras”, to which all sorts of mythical properties are attributed. Temotu Region Formerly called the Eastern Outer Islands, the Temotu region covers an area of ​​926 square kilometers. km (islands) and 150 thousand sq. km of ocean in the easternmost part of the Solomon Islands. This vast archipelago of widely scattered islands is separated from the main group of the country by a basin Torres with depths of up to 600 m. The three groups of volcanic islands that make up the region (Santa Cruz, Tinakula and Utupua) are surrounded by low coral atolls of the nearby Reef Islands and the isolated extinct volcanoes of Duff, Tikopia and Anua islands located in the very east. This area is virtually untouched by modern civilization, and the islanders who inhabit it differ in origin from the inhabitants of the rest of the Solomon Islands. The only attractions here are the island's active volcanoes Tinakula, colorful rituals of local tribes (it is typical that bunches of red feathers of tropical birds are still used as a currency here - one of the most unusual currencies on the planet), the village of Bola on Santa Cruz with its unusual population, in whose veins the blood of Spanish flows sailors from the ships of Alvaro de Mendaña (it is here that the navigator himself and 47 members of his crew are buried), as well as the beautiful Graciosa Bay. Rennell and Bellona region (Renbel) The southernmost island group, designated as an independent region in 1995, Rennell and Bellona lies south of Guadalcanal and southwest of Makira. These remote atolls were discovered by merchant captain Matthew Boyd in 1793. Now this area, covering an area of ​​671 square meters. km and inhabited by only 2.5 thousand people, is one of the natural reserves of nature and Polynesian traditions. The capital of the region, the town of Tigoa, lies on the island of Rennell, or Mu-Nggawa, as the islanders themselves call it, and Bellona, ​​or Mu-Ngiki, is widely known as the land of excellent carpenters and woodcarvers. Island Rennell is considered the largest elevated atoll on the planet (86x15 km), but the main feature of its uniqueness is the elongated lake that occupies almost the entire southern part Tengano- the largest freshwater lake in the South Pacific Ocean (now its area is about 15.5 thousand hectares), on which there was room for 200 islands, and for large bird colonies, and for many rare species of flora, primarily orchids. It is not difficult to guess that during the era of the formation of the island, the lake was a vast lagoon, which, as the surrounding land rose above the water, gradually became desalinated, although the water still remains slightly brackish. Therefore, now here you can find completely unique species of once marine fish, transformed by nature itself into freshwater (the only analogue is Lake Titicaca in the South American Andes). Due to its unique natural conditions and specific ecology, the eastern part of the island, together with Lake Tengano, was declared a National Wildlife Park (area 37 thousand hectares), subsequently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Noticeably smaller and quieter Bellona(Mu-Ngiki) lies north-west of Rennell and has rich phosphate deposits, as well as many habitable caves of the region's earliest inhabitants, the legendary Hiti people. Here you can also see a specific folk form of wrestling - hetakai, which has existed on the islands for at least the last 600 years.

 

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