The Solomon Islands archipelago is scattered in the southwestern Pacific, east of Papua New Guinea. The group comprises most of the Solomon Islands (those in the northwest are part of Papua New Guinea), the Ontong Java Islands, Rennell Island and the Santa Cruz Islands, which lie further to the east. The capital, Honiara, is situated on Guadalcanal Island, which also has the highest mountain, Mount Makarakombu, at 2447m (8028ft).

The Solomon Islands are a remote and unspoilt travel destination, with a slowly developing tourist industry. The superb marine life in the surrounding waters makes the islands a diver’s paradise. Guadalcanal, Malaita, Choiseul, New Georgia, San Cristobal and Santa Isabel are the main islands. Honiara, the capital on Guadalcanal, has a museum, botanical gardens and Chinatown. Villages and scenic drives are within easy reach. Popular tours include the World War II battlefields and various carving villages on the islands of Rennell and Bellona.

Geography
The larger of the islands are 145 to 193km (90 to 120 miles) in length, while the smallest are no more than coral outcrops. The terrain is generally quite rugged, with foothills that rise gently to a peak and then fall away steeply to the sea on the other side. The capital Honiara is situated on Guadalcanal Island, which also has the highest mountain, Mount Makarakombu, at 2447m (8028ft). There are a number of dormant volcanoes scattered throughout the archipelago.