Search the SPREP Catalogue

The Solomon Islands is the third largest archipelago in the South Pacific. The country consists of a double chain of volcanic islands with six major island groups: New Georgia, Guadalcanal and Makira to the south; and Choiseul, Isabel and Malaita in the northern group.Guadalcanal is the major island and the location of Honiara, the capital.There are some 992 islands, atolls and cays that compose the Solomon Islands, the total land area of which is 28 370 sq km scattered in an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of 600 000 sq km. The population of the Solomon Islands was estimated at408 400 in 19991 with the highest percentage located in the Malaita Province.The Solomon Islands has a tropical climate from Aprilto November followed by the wet season from December to March. Rainfall is variable, ranging from3 000 mm to 3 500 mm per annum and average temperature is 26°C

Guam consists of one large island with a total land area of 541 sq km within an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)of 218 000 sq km. Geographically, Guam comprises up-lifted undersea volcanoes, with a maximum height of 406m above sea level.The population of Guam was estimated at 149 600 in19991. It is a mixed population made up of the island’s original inhabitants, the Chamorros, together with Filipinos, Europeans and Koreans among others.Guam has a tropical climate, which is uniformly warm and humid. From December to May the weather is cooler with less rain. April is the driest month and from June to November it is wetter with gusty winds. The mean temperature in Guam is 27°C and rainfall varies from2 000 mm to 2 500 mm.