FACTS

Location: Oceania, group of islands in the South Pacific Ocean, east of Papua New Guinea

Area (only Total) total: 28,450 sq km

Climate: tropical monsoon; few extremes of temperature and weather

Terrain: mostly rugged mountains with some low coral atolls

Population: 581,318

Main Language (only first): English

Government type: parliamentary republic

Capital (Name): Honiara

Capital (Time Difference): UTC+11

Independence: 7 July 1978

National holiday: Independence Day, 7 July